Chapter 425

That kidnapping incident remained a dark stain on the Sinclair family's history.

Back then, the Sinclair brothers had been abducted by a notorious criminal syndicate and held in a derelict warehouse deep in the woods—infested with rats and roaches. The kidnappers demanded an exorbitant ransom from the Sinclair patriarch.

Alexander couldn't recall how many days he'd been trapped there. The place was filthy, damp, and reeked of decay. He couldn't even see the sun rise or set.

As a child, he endured daily beatings and starvation. The kidnappers, fearing escape, only fed them once every three days. It was hell.

Then, his older brother, Sebastian—four years his senior—managed to distract their captors during a moment of carelessness. It gave Alexander the slimmest chance to run.

He stumbled through the woods, running blindly, never looking back. Eventually, he collapsed from exhaustion and tumbled down a steep slope.

Miraculously, a hunter tracking deer found him. Once conscious, Alexander immediately contacted the authorities, leading them to the kidnappers' hideout and reuniting with his family.

Sebastian wasn't as fortunate.

Enraged by the failed escape, the kidnappers beat him savagely and locked him in a cramped shipping container—without food or water—for five agonizing days. Sebastian survived by drinking his own urine.

Three days after receiving the ransom, the kidnappers stripped him naked, tied him up, and dumped him at the gates of Windsor Estates before vanishing in broad daylight.

The abuse and prolonged confinement left Sebastian with severe internal damage. His medical bills alone exceeded fifty thousand dollars daily.

For years, Sebastian teetered on the brink of death, sustained only by the Sinclair fortune.

The trauma scarred the family irreparably.

That was why Alexander always felt he owed Sebastian an unpayable debt.

And why Reginald, their strict and unforgiving father, showed blatant favoritism toward Sebastian while harboring resentment toward Alexander.

"But you're the heir now. He shouldn't interfere."

Nathaniel was furious. "You held back last time, and the board already questions your leadership. He took advantage, made decisions in your stead, even secured a partnership. Now half the company supports him, and Reginald's been in constant contact with him lately. Mr. Alexander, I know you value loyalty, but we Sinclairs aren't the Vanderbilts. Blood means nothing when power's at stake! You know better than anyone what you've sacrificed these years! Even if Sebastian saved you, even if he's been kind—he's still the eldest son. After all this time, can you honestly say he has no ulterior motives? That he doesn't want Sinclair Holdings?"

Nathaniel was practically spitting fire in his frustration.

Alexander's breath hitched, his gaze darkening.

"And one more thing—doesn't it strike you as odd?"

Nathaniel pressed on, sharp as a blade. "He claims to be above worldly affairs, yet he knew every detail of our deal with J Group. What does that tell us? That he's been watching you—watching the company—all these years! And during that meeting, he was seated right beside J Group's chairman on the video call. It was planned. He orchestrated it!"

Alexander remained silent, his expression unreadable.

"Mr. Alexander, you need to be careful. A thief in the family is worse than an open enemy. If you're not vigilant, you won't see the knife until it's in your back!"

"Nathaniel." Alexander's voice was barely steady. "If—just if—Sebastian recovers and returns from abroad, if he wants to reclaim the company and his position as CEO... what should I do? Should I just hand over everything I've built?"

"Why should he get it just because he wants it? On what grounds?"

Nathaniel's fists clenched in outrage. "Without you, Sinclair Holdings wouldn't be where it is today! You've bled for this company, nearly worked yourself to death inspecting construction sites! You haven't even tasted the fruits of your labor, and he thinks he can waltz back in and take it? Why? Because Reginald backs him? You have William's support—we're not at a disadvantage! No matter how capable a son is, he still answers to his father!"

"What 'son and father' nonsense are you spouting?"

Isabella's sweet voice drifted in before she entered the room.

Alexander shot Nathaniel a warning glance, then forced a warm smile.

Isabella carried a tray with two teacups. "What were you two discussing so intensely? Mr. Nathaniel, you look positively livid."

"Nothing important. He gets riled up over stray dogs fighting in the street. Youthful temper."

Alexander rose to take the tray from her, his voice dropping to a husky murmur. "Why the formality? Treating me like a guest now?"

"Just worried you'd get thirsty from all that talking." Isabella smirked.

"A kiss would quench me better than any drink."

He pulled her close, kissing her deeply, uncaring of their audience.

Nathaniel flushed and averted his gaze.

Isabella's heart pounded like a trapped bird. When Alexander tried to deepen the kiss, she gently pushed him away. "I came to discuss something serious. Can you focus?"

"Isabella, you're too tempting."

His eyes burned with restrained desire. "Around you, I can't pretend to be a gentleman."

She didn't dare meet his gaze, afraid she'd melt under its intensity.

They settled on the sofa, Alexander draping an arm around her shoulders as she instinctively leaned into him. The picture of perfect harmony.

Nathaniel nearly teared up. He never thought he'd live to see this reconciliation. Worth every second.

"Adrian called. They're starting Ward's trial today." Isabella clenched her fists.

"Lucas and I have had people watching every exit—airports, train stations, docks. Still no sign of Eden." Alexander enveloped her small hand in his, warming her chilled fingers.

"Someone's protecting him. Otherwise, with our reach, we'd have turned New York inside out. That bastard wouldn't stay hidden." Their eyes met, both knowing exactly who that someone was.

"No matter where Eden's hiding in this city, he won't escape. His protector won't change that." Alexander's gaze sharpened like a blade.

"We need to watch Avery too."

Isabella's mind raced. "If he's truly allied with Eden, he won't let him stay here. The moment Eden's captured and talks, Avery's exposed. He'll be desperate."

"You think Avery might silence him permanently?" Alexander's grip tightened.

Her breath hitched. "I hope not. Eden was a mercenary, ex-royal guard. He's not easy to kill. And he wouldn't come to New York alone. Even if Avery tried, it wouldn't be simple, right?"

Despite her words, Alexander's suspicion deepened her unease.

Sensing it, he laced their fingers together, voice softening. "Our enemies are strong, but it's okay if we can't take them all at once. At least we're not blind anymore. That's progress. For now, we focus on Elspeth—for Erica, for my mother, for justice."

Mentioning his mother, his voice cracked, eyes reddening. But for Isabella, he stayed strong—her anchor, her safe harbor.

Her chest ached. Trembling slightly, she pulled him into an embrace.

He held her back instantly, as if he'd been waiting for it.

"You don't have to say anything. I understand."

That night, in the police interrogation room.

Adrian and his team from Major Crimes had grilled Ward for ten exhausting hours.

Their seasoned tactics were useless against this mentally unshakable, shameless monster.

Threats, promises of leniency—nothing made Ward confess who pulled the strings.

At an impasse, Isabella and Alexander rushed to the station late that night.

"Isabella, I'm sorry."

Adrian raked a hand through his hair, frustration etching his handsome face. "I'm useless. I can't break him."

If Ward kept stalling, even if convicted, they'd have no direct evidence against Elspeth. The trail would go cold.

Worse—Ward was a citizen of Country T. By law, foreigners couldn't receive the death penalty here. Maximum sentence: 20 years.

After that, he'd be deported—where Country T's courts would resentence him.

The thought of this monster escaping execution made Adrian's teeth grind. "Just thinking about it feels like being fried alive, Isabella!"

"Don't say that. You're doing everything you can. Ward's just a demon."

She took a steadying breath, eyes sharpening. "Adrian, can you arrange for Alexander and me to see Ward?"

"You two?" He blinked in shock.

"Yes. Let us talk to him. It might help."