Chapter 767
Chapter 767:
Beatrice began to weep, reaching out for Liam’s hand. “I thought I lost you… I thought the family was gone p>
Liam pulled his hand away gently but firmly. “I’m here, Grandmother. But don’t think this changes anything between us. You’re still retired. Go home p>
He turned his gaze to Skye. A silent communication passed between them—relief, exhaustion, and steel.
“That was too easy,” Skye said, standing up. “They retreated too fast p>
“I know,” Liam murmured, walking over to stand beside her. “They were just testing the perimeter. The real attack is coming p>
The news of Liam Kensington’s “miraculous survival” broke the internet within the hour. The stock price, which had been in free fall, stabilized and then rocketed upward. But in the executive office, the mood was grim.
Skye stood by the window, looking out at the city skyline. She wore a white suit, sharp and pristine, the armor of the interim Chairman. But inside, she felt the phantom weight of a target on her back.
“They wanted us to reveal you,” Skye said, turning to Liam. “That was the point of the lawyer stunt. They needed to confirm you were alive and active so they could target you legally p>
“Better to be a target in the light than a corpse in the dark,” Liam said, pouring two glasses of water. He handed one to her. “How is Richard p>
“Awake,” Skye said softly. “Asking for you p>
A knock on the door interrupted them. It was Victoria Hayes.
Skye tensed. The last few weeks had been a complex dance with Victoria. The woman had been a rival, then a pawn, and finally, during the raid on the Chrysalis, a reluctant ally. But trust was a fragile thing.
Victoria walked in, carrying a thick stack of files and a small, ominous black box. She looked different from the chaotic, champagne-soaked force of nature she had been the night before. She wore oversized sunglasses and clutched a large coffee, clearly nursing a headache, but her jaw was set with sober determination.
“I need you to see this,” Victoria said, her voice raspy. She placed the box on the desk. “It was delivered to the main gate of the Hayes Estate this morning. Addressed to me p>
𝖤𝘹𝘤𝘭𝘶s𝗂𝘃e ոo𝘃e𝗹𝘀 о𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘭n𝗈𝗏𝘦𝗹ѕ.𝘤𝗼m
Skye looked at the box. “What is it p>
“Open it,” Victoria whispered, looking away.
Liam stepped forward and carefully lifted the lid. Inside, resting on velvet, was a human finger. A man’s finger.
“My father,” Victoria said, her voice trembling. “He contacted me via an encrypted line an hour ago. He’s still in hiding, moving through the tunnels, but they found one of his safe houses. They left this… and a message p>
“What’s the message?” Skye asked, feeling a chill run down her spine.
“Compliance,” Victoria said, dropping the files on the desk next to the box. “The Syndicate is bypassing the board. They’re going after the supply chain. They want the Hayes family shipping lines to shut down all Kensington transport. Or the next box will contain his head p>
“And why are you telling us?” Liam asked, watching her closely. “You could have just complied to save him p>
“Because I’m done being a puppet,” Victoria said, removing her sunglasses to meet his gaze. Her eyes were red-rimmed but fierce. “And because… Skye saved me. In the facility. When the roof collapsed. She didn’t have to, but she did p>