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Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 26
Ethan’s POV The hum of the ceiling fan was the only sound in the office until the door creaked open with a soft knock. The private Investigator, Jordan, stepped in with a folder clutched tightly in his hand, a gleam of something dangerous dancing in his eyes. "Got something you’ll want to see, sir," he said, voice low but pulsing with excitement.I turned away from the screen. Outside, twilight bled across the skyline, bathing the city in bruised gold and shadow. I leaned forward, my elbows brushing the edge of the desk. "Tell me it’s what I think it is."He dropped the folder onto my desk. It landed with a satisfying slap, thick and brimming with promise. "Even better," he said, his grin curling like smoke. I raised a brow, flipping it open. Dozens of papers spilled out—photographs, transaction records, company ledgers, all bearing the name Hale Pharmaceuticals. My gut twisted in anticipation. "How the hell did you pull this off so fast?" I asked.Jordan looked smug, brushing i
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 27
Ethan's POV “You look like a mad scientist about to detonate something,” Olivia said, leaning against the doorframe, arms folded, one brow arched in mock judgment. “Should I be worried?” I jolted upright, nearly knocking over my mug of half-cold coffee. How long had she been standing there? How did she get into my room and I wasn't even aware. “Damn, Olivia,” I said, pressing a hand to my chest. “You trying to kill me with a heart attack?” She smiled, that soft but knowing curve of her lips that always managed to both irritate and disarm me. “I knocked , twice. You didn’t flinch. I had to assume you were either dead or plotting something dangerous.” I chuckled, but it came out hollow. “Maybe a little bit of both.” Her eyes flicked to the spread of documents on my desk, the ones I hadn’t managed to hide fast enough. Incriminating photos, financial records, under-the-table transactions that Nathan thought buried. Her gaze narrowed.“What are you working on that’s so...classified?”
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 28
Ethan's POV “Ethan, you might want to sit down for this,” Jordan’s voice crackled through the speakerphone. “It’s bad. And getting worse.” I didn’t sit. I leaned forward against my desk at the Sinclair estate’s study, pen still in hand, documents scattered like puzzle pieces before me. “How bad?” “Hale Pharmaceuticals is on the verge of collapse. Full-blown financial hemorrhage. Their investors are rattled, and word’s starting to leak.” I paused. My grip on the pen tightened. “How the hell did this happen so fast?” “Pride, mostly,” Jordan said, almost laughing. “You're aware that the Hales had earlier sought a merger with Sinclair Biotech right? That was the reason they had found their way to the Sinclair’s annual gala.” “I remember. They must have scoffed at the idea the second they found out I’d be running Sinclair after him.” I sat back slowly, a small smile playing on my lips. “Richard myst have thought that proceeding with the merger would have been humiliating to them I su
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 29
Vanessa’s POV The boardroom was a pressure cooker, the air thick with unspoken accusations and simmering tensions. Sunlight streamed through the expansive windows, casting long shadows over the polished mahogany table where Hale Pharmaceuticals' future hung in the balance.My father, sat at the helm, his expression a mask of controlled fury. To his right, my brother Nathan shifted uncomfortably, his usual bravado noticeably absent. I occupied the seat to Richard's left, my notepad open but untouched, bracing for the storm about to break.The shareholders, a mix of seasoned investors and newer stakeholders, exchanged uneasy glances. The recent scandal had shaken their confidence, and the cracks in our foundation were beginning to show.Mr. Langley, a senior shareholder with a penchant for bluntness, broke the silence. "Richard, this debacle has left us exposed. The media is relentless, and our stock is in freefall."Father's jaw tightened, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the tabl
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 30
Ethan’s POV “You bought what?” Jordan’s voice cracked through the encrypted line like a whip when I told him that I had bought all the shares put up for sale by Hale subsidiaries. I grinned into the phone, leaned back in my leather chair at the Sinclair estate study. “Every last share they threw to the market. Through a private broker in Dubai. The entire subsidiary is mine now.”“You’re playing God now, huh?” he muttered. “You do realize the Hales are going to freak when they find out they just sold a piece of their empire to their worst nightmare?”I chuckled, low and slow. “That’s the idea.”“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. But what the hell are you planning to do with this new toy?”“Use it, Jordan. Every locked door they thought I couldn’t open, I now have the keys. Internal communications, supply chains, financial records—everything.”“Damn. You really pulled this off.”“I told you,” I said, opening a secure email I just received from the broker. “Patience, power, and a p
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 31
Ethan’s POV The sky was a perfect shade of blue, the kind that made everything feel like it was going according to plan.The countryside estate was beautiful, and for a moment, it almost felt like I could leave all the chaos behind. The property was vast rolling green hills stretching as far as the eye could see. It was everything I needed: it was perfect for a retreat, just far enough from the city to offer peace but close enough to make any business dealings possible. "Mr. Sinclair, we are here." The driver’s voice broke me from my thoughts. I nodded, checking my watch. I stepped out of the car, adjusting my suit jacket, and surveyed the estate. The property was in pristine condition, with freshly mowed lawns and towering trees surrounding a beautiful colonial style house. My grandfather’s birthday was coming up soon, I wanted to give him a befiting present for his birthday and retirement. "Everything looks good," I muttered to myself, walking toward the agent who had been show
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 32
Ethan’s POV“You want me to what?” Lionel’s voice crackled through the speakerphone, laced with disbelief.“Bid the stock prices low, Lionel. As low as legally possible,” I said, leaning back into the leather of my chair, fingers drumming on the glass table. “Push them so far into a corner they’ll have no option but to sell.”“Christ, Ethan, they’re already gasping for breath. You want to drown them while they’re still conscious?”“Yes.”He exhaled, a breath that told me he was still trying to wrap his head around it. “You do know Richard Hale isn’t the type to let things go quietly, right? If they find out you’re the one buying...”“They won’t,” I cut him off. “That’s why I have you. I’m just a ghost in the shadows, until it is time.”“And what exactly do you gain from pissing them off this bad?” he asked, a little chuckle in his voice.“You mean besides satisfaction?” I said. “The look on Nathan’s face when he realizes the very companies they sold to survive would eventually belong
Sinclair's Lost Heir[The Rise Of The Betrayed Son-in-law] CHAPTER 33
Ethan’s POV “Ethan, you need to sit for this.”I froze just as I reached for my phone on the coffee table. Jordan never used that tone unless it was big. Life-altering big.“Talk to me,” I said, pacing to the window as my fingers tightened around the phone. “What did you find?”“Your hunch was dead-on. Nathan’s not just behind the pills I traced. He’s personally supplying a private circle of elite clients with high-grade narcotics. Cocaine. Fentanyl. Shipped through a chain of fake wellness brands—all tied back to an upscale club downtown. ‘Lavish Red.’ Ring a bell?”I exhaled. “Of course it would be a club. How poetic of him.”“There’s more,” Davis said, voice sharper now. “He’s planning a personal drop-off. Tonight. Midnight. A private VIP lounge. I’ve intercepted texts—he’ll be there with the stuff.”“You’re sure?”“Do I ever call unless I’m sure?”I couldn’t help the grin tugging at the corner of my lips. “No. You don’t.”“Address is 322 Bellerose Street. I’ve already got camera
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CHAPTER 38
Vanessa’s POV The morning air was unnervingly still, almost like the world itself was holding its breath. Our black SUV pulled into the courthouse lot without music, without laughter—without a single word.Nathan sat beside me, stiff in his tailored navy suit, the cuffs of his shirt peeking just slightly from his sleeves. His jaw clenched, nostrils flared. But it wasn’t fear on his face. It was something colder. Anger, maybe. Betrayal.“I swear,” he muttered, not looking at me, “if that bastard Ethan shows his face today...”“You need to focus,” I interrupted softly, adjusting my sunglasses to hide my red, sleepless eyes. “Please, Nathan. Just… don’t make things worse.”He scoffed. “Worse? I’m about to be crucified in front of a packed courtroom and the media. How worse could it get?”I didn’t answer. What could I say?Dad stepped out from the front seat, nodded once at the guards, and turned to Nathan. “Keep your mouth shut. Don’t show weakness. Let Leonard speak.”“Leonard’s a tire
CHAPTER 37
Vanessa’s POV “Ethan, please.” My voice dropped. I hated the tremble I heard in it, but I kept going. “You came here for a reason. Maybe to gloat, maybe to talk. But I’m asking you… please help him.”Nathan growled beside me like a wounded animal. “Vanessa, shut up!”I ignored him.“Help him,” I repeated. “For old time’s sake, or for the sake of whatever little decency you have left.”Ethan chuckled. Not the kind that was amused. The kind that made my skin crawl. Cold, deliberate, and... condescending.“Decency?” he finally spoke, his voice low and smooth. “You’re asking me about decency?”I swallowed.Nathan scoffed. “You see? He’s playing you. He always has.”But Ethan continued, his eyes fixed on me now.“You know, when I was locked up… when your beloved brother came to visit, he didn’t bring a lawyer. He brought laughter. Mocked me through the glass, said it suited me.”He turned to Nathan now, who was grinding his teeth.“You remember what you said to me that day? ‘This is where
CHAPTER 36
Vanessa’s POV"Do you realize what this means, Vanessa?!" My father's voice thundered through the marble-floored living room, bouncing off the walls like a ricocheting bullet.I didn’t flinch. I’d grown used to his shouting—especially when things didn’t go his way.He jabbed his phone on the coffee table so hard I feared it would shatter. "Nathan is rotting in a holding cell and I can’t find a single damn lawyer who’s willing to take this case!""Maybe," I said quietly, "they're just afraid of being associated with a sinking ship."He spun to me like a storm. "You think this is funny?""Did I laugh?""Don't play smart with me, Vanessa. This isn't the time.""Then when is the time, Dad? When the cops storm Hale Pharmaceuticals? Or when the SEC tears into our offshore accounts?"He ran his fingers through his thinning hair and resumed pacing. “Goddamn it! Where the hell is Raymond?”Raymond was his long-time fixer. If anyone could’ve pulled us out of this mess, it was him. But apparentl
CHAPTER 35
Vanessa’s POV"Do you realize what this means, Vanessa?!" My father's voice thundered through the marble-floored living room, bouncing off the walls like a ricocheting bullet.I didn’t flinch. I’d grown used to his shouting—especially when things didn’t go his way.He jabbed his phone on the coffee table so hard I feared it would shatter. "Nathan is rotting in a holding cell and I can’t find a single damn lawyer who’s willing to take this case!""Maybe," I said quietly, "they're just afraid of being associated with a sinking ship."He spun to me like a storm. "You think this is funny?""Did I laugh?""Don't play smart with me, Vanessa. This isn't the time.""Then when is the time, Dad? When the cops storm Hale Pharmaceuticals? Or when the SEC tears into our offshore accounts?"He ran his fingers through his thinning hair and resumed pacing. “Goddamn it! Where the hell is Raymond?”Raymond was his long-time fixer. If anyone could’ve pulled us out of this mess, it was him. But apparentl
CHAPTER 34
Ethan’s POVShe flushed, the embarrassment spreading rapidly over her cheeks like spilled wine. “No... I didn’t... God, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have touched you. I really shouldn’t have.”I raised a brow, more amused than annoyed. “You were kissing me, Olivia. You call that checking for a pulse?”She covered her face with both hands, muffling her groan. “Don’t make fun of me. I swear, I didn’t come here for that. I knocked, you didn’t answer, the door was unlocked, and... and you looked so peaceful. I got carried away.”Peaceful.Was that how I looked? Like a man who didn’t have enemies trying to kill him? A man who hadn’t orchestrated the takedown of a criminal empire?“You saw the news?” I asked, my tone sobering. “Nathan’s arrest?”She nodded quickly, her hands dropping. “It’s everywhere. They said he was caught red-handed at some elite club with a stash of hard drugs. And you... you’re just sleeping through it all...”“I already knew it was coming,” I said, brushing a hand through
CHAPTER 33
Ethan’s POV “Ethan, you need to sit for this.”I froze just as I reached for my phone on the coffee table. Jordan never used that tone unless it was big. Life-altering big.“Talk to me,” I said, pacing to the window as my fingers tightened around the phone. “What did you find?”“Your hunch was dead-on. Nathan’s not just behind the pills I traced. He’s personally supplying a private circle of elite clients with high-grade narcotics. Cocaine. Fentanyl. Shipped through a chain of fake wellness brands—all tied back to an upscale club downtown. ‘Lavish Red.’ Ring a bell?”I exhaled. “Of course it would be a club. How poetic of him.”“There’s more,” Davis said, voice sharper now. “He’s planning a personal drop-off. Tonight. Midnight. A private VIP lounge. I’ve intercepted texts—he’ll be there with the stuff.”“You’re sure?”“Do I ever call unless I’m sure?”I couldn’t help the grin tugging at the corner of my lips. “No. You don’t.”“Address is 322 Bellerose Street. I’ve already got camera
CHAPTER 32
Ethan’s POV“You want me to what?” Lionel’s voice crackled through the speakerphone, laced with disbelief.“Bid the stock prices low, Lionel. As low as legally possible,” I said, leaning back into the leather of my chair, fingers drumming on the glass table. “Push them so far into a corner they’ll have no option but to sell.”“Christ, Ethan, they’re already gasping for breath. You want to drown them while they’re still conscious?”“Yes.”He exhaled, a breath that told me he was still trying to wrap his head around it. “You do know Richard Hale isn’t the type to let things go quietly, right? If they find out you’re the one buying...”“They won’t,” I cut him off. “That’s why I have you. I’m just a ghost in the shadows, until it is time.”“And what exactly do you gain from pissing them off this bad?” he asked, a little chuckle in his voice.“You mean besides satisfaction?” I said. “The look on Nathan’s face when he realizes the very companies they sold to survive would eventually belong
CHAPTER 31
Ethan’s POV The sky was a perfect shade of blue, the kind that made everything feel like it was going according to plan.The countryside estate was beautiful, and for a moment, it almost felt like I could leave all the chaos behind. The property was vast rolling green hills stretching as far as the eye could see. It was everything I needed: it was perfect for a retreat, just far enough from the city to offer peace but close enough to make any business dealings possible. "Mr. Sinclair, we are here." The driver’s voice broke me from my thoughts. I nodded, checking my watch. I stepped out of the car, adjusting my suit jacket, and surveyed the estate. The property was in pristine condition, with freshly mowed lawns and towering trees surrounding a beautiful colonial style house. My grandfather’s birthday was coming up soon, I wanted to give him a befiting present for his birthday and retirement. "Everything looks good," I muttered to myself, walking toward the agent who had been show
CHAPTER 30
Ethan’s POV “You bought what?” Jordan’s voice cracked through the encrypted line like a whip when I told him that I had bought all the shares put up for sale by Hale subsidiaries. I grinned into the phone, leaned back in my leather chair at the Sinclair estate study. “Every last share they threw to the market. Through a private broker in Dubai. The entire subsidiary is mine now.”“You’re playing God now, huh?” he muttered. “You do realize the Hales are going to freak when they find out they just sold a piece of their empire to their worst nightmare?”I chuckled, low and slow. “That’s the idea.”“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. But what the hell are you planning to do with this new toy?”“Use it, Jordan. Every locked door they thought I couldn’t open, I now have the keys. Internal communications, supply chains, financial records—everything.”“Damn. You really pulled this off.”“I told you,” I said, opening a secure email I just received from the broker. “Patience, power, and a p
