Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO NEVER LEFT
Silas Rourke arrived at the estate at eleven the following morning.
He came through the front entrance carrying a leather briefcase and wearing the same calm expression he had worn for years. His silver hair was neatly combed. His charcoal suit fit perfectly. He looked like a man arriving to discuss quarterly earnings, not a man whose signature appeared on twelve years of medical payments.
“Luca,” he said warmly. “You asked for me?”
Luca sat behind his desk.
“I did.”
Silas glanced at the files.
“Something wrong?”
“I'm reviewing the old medical expenses.”
Silas's expression barely changed.
“Why?”
“Because I've spent twelve years in a wheelchair, and I recently learned the original diagnosis may have been wrong.”
Silas pulled out the chair opposite him.
“That's unfortunate.”
“Is it?”
Silas looked at him.
“Luca, you know how many specialists examined you. We did everything possible.”
“Did we?”
A pause.
Silas opened his briefcase and removed a notebook.
“Do you want me to arrange another consultation?”
“No. I want you to tell me why your signature is on the payments to Nathaniel Voss's research clinic.”
Silas's hand stopped.
Only for a fraction of a second.
Then he closed the notebook.
“I authorized hundreds of medical expenses during those years. I can't remember every supplier.”
“This one supplied a compound that mimicked paralysis.”
Silas stared at him.
“Who told you that?”
“A toxicologist.”
“Then perhaps you should ask him whether his findings are conclusive.”
“I did.”
“And?”
“He was very conclusive.”
Silas leaned back.
“Luca, you have to be careful. You have been through a great deal. A report like that can make anyone search for someone to blame.”
Luca watched him.
“Do you remember Elena Harper?”
Silas's expression changed.
“Who?”
“Elena. The woman I was seeing before I collapsed.”
“I remember you dated someone.”
“She was pregnant.”
Silas did not answer.
“You knew?”
“I heard rumors.”
“She had a daughter. Maya.”
Silas looked toward the window.
“I see.”
“She is mine.”
For the first time, Silas seemed genuinely surprised.
“Are you certain?”
“Paternity test. Nearly one hundred percent.”
Silas folded his hands.
“Then congratulations.”
Luca's voice became colder.
“Why did you tell Elena I didn't want to see her?”
Silas's face hardened.
“I was trying to protect you.”
“From what?”
“From a distraction. You were fighting for your life.”
“She was carrying my child.”
“You were not in a condition to be a father.”
“That wasn't your decision.”
Silas stood.
“Luca, I have spent twelve years keeping your empire intact. I have taken calls at three in the morning, negotiated with people who wanted to carve up everything you built, and kept your name respected while you sat in this house. Don't mistake difficult decisions for betrayal.”
Luca looked at the payment records.
“Then explain the medication.”
Silas picked up his briefcase.
“I think you need rest.”
“Sit down.”
Silas did not.
For a moment, the two men looked at each other across the desk.
Then Silas gave a small, sad smile.
“You always were stubborn.”
He walked out.
Daniel entered less than a minute later.
“Did he admit anything?”
“No.”
“But he knows.”
Luca nodded.
“Have him followed. Quietly. And find Voss before Silas does.”
Daniel hesitated.
“There is something else. The clinic's old records show a second set of payments. Not to Voss. To a rehabilitation center that never treated you.”
Luca looked up.
“Who received the money?”
May you like
Daniel placed a name on the desk.
“Silas Rourke.”
