Chapter 2 - The Soundproof Room
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The subterranean level of the Whitfield estate was a place very few people ever saw, and even fewer ever left. The soundproof room was constructed entirely of reinforced concrete and thick, acoustic-paneled steel. It smelled of damp earth, ozone, and old terror.
Daniel stood in the center of the windowless room, a clean bandage taped over his right eyebrow. He had changed out of his ruined, blood-stained shirt, now wearing a crisp, dark turtleneck that made him look like a shadow detached from the wall.
Vanessa sat strapped to a heavy iron chair beneath a single, glaring fluorescent bulb. Her pristine silk robe was dirty, her bare feet shivering against the freezing concrete floor. The arrogant, untouchable high-society princess had been entirely stripped of her power.
“You have exactly three minutes to explain the architecture of this betrayal,” Daniel stated, his voice dangerously even as he checked his heavy, platinum watch. “If you lie, or if you attempt to minimize your involvement, Elias will begin breaking your fingers. We will start with the one holding the engagement ring I bought you.”
Vanessa sobbed hysterically, her immaculate makeup running in dark, ugly streaks down her pale cheeks.
“It was Julian’s idea!” Vanessa shrieked, desperate to push the blame away. “He said you were holding the syndicate back! He said you were too obsessed with legitimizing the businesses, and that the other families were starting to view you as weak!”
“So he decided a fractured skull was the best way to secure my legacy,” Daniel murmured, pacing slowly around her chair like a predator calculating a killing bite.
“He promised me the throne!” Vanessa wept, thrashing against the heavy leather restraints. “He said if we got rid of you before the wedding, he would take over the organization and marry me himself. The Croft and Whitfield families would merge, and we would rule the entire eastern seaboard without your restrictions.”
Daniel stopped directly in front of her. The sheer, blinding audacity of the plot was staggering. His own brother, plotting to take his life, his empire, and his bride all in one swift, cowardly motion.
“And the missing diamond bracelet?” Daniel asked, leaning down until his face was inches from hers.
“I hid it to get Grace fired!” Vanessa confessed wildly, her eyes darting around the terrifying room. “She is always watching, Daniel! She is always standing in the corners, listening! Julian said we couldn't risk executing the plan while she was constantly hovering around your study. We needed her gone.”
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Daniel straightened up, looking down at the pathetic, greedy woman he had almost tied his life to.
“You drastically underestimated me, Vanessa,” Daniel said coldly, turning his back on her and walking toward the heavy steel door. “But more importantly, you drastically underestimated the maid.”
