Chapter 20 - The Unseen Shadow|
Three weeks later.
The summer breeze swept through the quiet, lush gardens of my father’s private, heavily secured estate in the English countryside.
I sat on the veranda in a comfortable lounge chair, wrapped in a soft blanket, holding a warm cup of chamomiles tea.
Beside me was a white baby bassinet.
Inside, wrapped in a pink knitted blanket, slept my newborn daughter, Maya—born healthy and strong at thirty-six weeks via a calm, successful delivery.
Vance Dynamics had been completely restructured. I was officially sworn in as the sole Chief Executive Officer and Chairwoman of the Board. Silas Vance and Odalys Crane had both pled guilty to federal conspiracy charges, facing thirty years in federal prison without the possibility of parole.
My father walked out onto the veranda, wearing his favorite old flannel shirt, carrying a wooden toy he had been hand-carving for Maya.
He smiled, leaning down to kiss the top of my head before gently rocking the bassinet.
“She looks just like your mother,” Marcus said softly, his eyes filled with pure love.
“She has your eyes, Dad,” I smiled, reaching out to hold his hand. “Thank you. For everything.”
“You don't ever have to thank me for protecting my family, Mara,” he replied softly.
Suddenly, a quiet chime sounded from my father’s pocket.
Marcus pulled out his secure satellite phone. His smile slowly faded as he looked down at the encrypted screen.
A new text message had just arrived from an unlisted, double-encrypted global satellite routing server.
I noticed his sudden stillness.
“Dad?” I asked, leaning forward, my maternal instincts instantly flaring up. “What is it? Did something happen with Kade’s trial?”
Marcus didn't answer immediately. He stared at the screen for a long moment before turning the phone slightly away from my view.
“It’s nothing, my girl,” Marcus offered a gentle, reassuring smile. “Just business.”
He slipped the phone back into his pocket, leaned down, and kissed Maya’s forehead before walking inside to get us more tea.
As soon as the sliding glass door shut behind him, I looked down at the coffee table where he had temporarily set his tablet.
The screen was still glowing.
I reached over and tapped the display.
A high-resolution satellite photograph was displayed on the screen—showing an unidentified luxury yacht sailing off the coast of South America.
And below the photo was a decoded audio transcript from an unknown incoming transmission:
“Marcus Osei... you crushed Victor Kade. But you forgot who trained Victor thirty years ago. Your daughter’s encryption software is lovely. We look forward to testing it on your new grand-daughter when she grows up. See you soon, Sovereign.”
A cold, sharp shiver ran down my spine as I stared at the message.
May you like
The war wasn't over.
It was only just beginning.
