Chapter 4 - Daniel’s DaughterDaniel had a daughter.
Adrian knew that.
What Adrian did not know was how sick she had become.
Grace Mercer was sixteen.
She had a rare autoimmune disease.
For nearly two years, Daniel had been quietly paying for experimental treatment abroad.
Cost:
More than $3 million.
His insurance covered almost none of it.
Someone discovered the vulnerability.
Michael traced unexplained deposits to an account linked to Daniel.
$2.8 million.
Victor slammed the report down.
“There.”
“Payment.”
“Daniel was bought.”
Adrian looked at the dates.
The first transfer came seven months earlier.
Not eleven months ago when the original surveillance apparently began.
Then Rebecca noticed something.
“Who paid the hospital directly?”
Michael checked.
A trust.
Horizon Children's Medical Fund.
Beneficial owner hidden.
Daniel had not received the money himself.
Someone paid Grace’s medical bills—
then used them as leverage.
Not greed.
Coercion.
Still serious.
Still dangerous.
But different.
Adrian said:
“Find Grace.”
They did.
She was in a private clinic outside Boston.
Daniel had checked her in under her mother’s surname.
Security footage showed a man visiting repeatedly.
Gray suit.
Silver cane.
Face partly hidden.
Michael enlarged the image.
Adrian stared.
He knew the cane.
Victor used one after a skiing injury.
Everyone turned toward Adrian’s uncle.
Victor laughed when confronted.
“This is insane.”
“Is it?”
“I visit dozens of medical charities.”
“The clinic says you visited Grace Mercer specifically.”
Victor’s expression changed.
Only slightly.
Adrian saw it.
“Why?”
Victor stood.
“I am not answering questions like a criminal.”
He walked toward the door.
Michael blocked him.
Victor stared.
“Move.”
“No.”
The old man’s face hardened.
“Adrian.”
Adrian remained seated.
“For the first time in your life, Uncle…”
“…you’re going to sit down when someone else tells you to.”
Victor slowly turned back.
Then smiled.
May you like
“You finally sound like your father.”
It was not a compliment.
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