Chapter 55
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By mid-afternoon, the blizzard had been cleared from the main roads by the municipal plows. The sanctuary was operating with its usual quiet grace, but a heavy, electric tension buzzed through the security staff. Marcus had doubled the perimeter patrols, knowing that a tracker going dark would eventually draw wolves to the door.
At exactly three o'clock, the intercom on Noah’s desk buzzed.
"Mr. Whitmore," the voice of the front gate guard echoed in the office. "We have a visitor. A man claiming to be the regional director for Apex Horizons. He is demanding immediate entry."
Noah looked across the office at Evelyn, who was sitting gracefully on the sofa, sipping tea. She offered him a calm, imperceptible nod.
"Send him to the main reception hall," Noah instructed the guard. "Do not let his vehicle past the outer courtyard. Escort him on foot."
Ten minutes later, Noah walked into the grand reception hall, flanked by Marcus and Sarah. Standing in the center of the room was a man wearing a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, an expensive cashmere overcoat, and a polite, entirely manufactured smile.
"Mr. Whitmore," the man said, stepping forward and offering a smooth hand. "My name is David Vance. I am the regional director for Apex Horizons. I apologize for the unannounced intrusion, but we are dealing with a critical emergency."
Noah didn't take the man's hand. He stood perfectly still, his presence dominating the massive room.
"State your business, Mr. Vance," Noah said coldly.
Vance lowered his hand, his smile tightening fractionally. "Last night, one of our most troubled students, a boy named Julian, wandered away from our secure campus during the storm. He suffers from severe delusions and paranoia. Our tracking telemetry indicated his emergency bracelet was disabled somewhere near your property lines. We are simply here to retrieve our ward and get him the psychiatric help he desperately needs."
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"That is a fascinating narrative," Noah replied, his voice devoid of any warmth. "However, no child matching that description has been found on my property."
Vance’s eyes narrowed, the polite facade cracking to reveal something cold and reptilian beneath. "Mr. Whitmore, we know you have him. We have the legal guardianship papers. If you do not hand him over immediately, we will return with federal marshals and a warrant to search this entire estate."
