Chapter 14 - THE LAST BETRAYAL
Adrien's world narrowed to a single thought.
Lila was missing.
Everything else became irrelevant.
The company.
The money.
The scandal.
Even his own recovery.
He wanted only his daughter.
Daniel immediately coordinated with the authorities responsible for her protection. The security team provided surveillance footage showing a woman arriving with documents that appeared to authorize Lila's transfer.
The woman resembled Émilie.
But Daniel refused to assume she was Adrien's wife.
The documents were forged.
The signatures were inconsistent.
And the woman had avoided looking directly at the security cameras.
Adrien watched the footage with trembling hands.
"That's not Émilie."
Sophie leaned closer.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
He pointed toward the screen.
"Émilie injured her left shoulder when she was younger. She never carried heavy bags on that side."
The woman in the video carried a large suitcase with her left hand.
Adrien shook his head.
"That's someone pretending to be her."
Daniel nodded.
"We'll treat that as an investigative lead."
Within hours, authorities located the vehicle used in the abduction.
It had been abandoned near a private airfield.
Inside were children's clothing, a discarded phone, and a medical transport badge.
The badge belonged to a clinic connected to Laurent Vasseur.
Investigators traced recent financial activity to an isolated estate near the border.
A coordinated operation was organized.
Adrien demanded to go.
Dr. Morel refused to clear him for travel.
His leg remained vulnerable, and the emotional strain had already caused a dangerous spike in his blood pressure.
Adrien argued.
He pleaded.
Finally, Sophie stood in front of him.
"Adrien, your daughter needs you alive and able to care for her when this is over."
He stared at her.
"I can't sit here."
"Then help the people who can reach her. Give them everything you know."
He closed his eyes.
She was right.
Again.
Adrien provided investigators with information about Lila's habits, her medical history, and the stuffed rabbit she carried everywhere.
He also gave them access to the family's private communications, hoping that something might help locate her.
Near midnight, Daniel called.
"We have visual confirmation."
Adrien sat upright.
"Of Lila?"
"Yes. She's inside the estate."
Adrien covered his mouth.
"Is she hurt?"
"We haven't observed an injury. The team is preparing to secure the property."
Sophie gripped his hand.
Minutes passed.
Then an hour.
Finally, Daniel called again.
His voice sounded different.
"Adrien, we have Lila."
Adrien broke down.
He bent forward, sobbing into his hands.
Sophie held him.
For the first time in days, he could breathe.
"Is she okay?"
"She's frightened, but she's safe. Medical personnel are examining her."
"And my father?"
Daniel paused.
"We found Étienne."
Adrien closed his eyes.
"Alive?"
"Yes."
The relief was overwhelming.
But Daniel had more to say.
"Émilie was there, too."
Adrien stared at the phone.
"Is she safe?"
"Yes."
He looked toward Sophie.
Tears filled her eyes.
Then Daniel continued.
"Laurent was arrested while attempting to leave the property. Victor was detained separately after investigators obtained evidence linking him to the financial scheme."
Adrien exhaled.
It was over.
Or so he thought.
Daniel's voice became serious.
"Adrien, there's one more thing."
Adrien felt his stomach tighten.
"What?"
"Your father wants to speak to you before anyone else."
"Why?"
"He says Laurent wasn't the only person responsible for the original conspiracy."
Adrien closed his eyes.
"Who else?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Étienne says the scheme began with a decision he made twenty-five years ago."
Adrien stared at the phone.
"What decision?"
Daniel's voice lowered.
"Your father says he knowingly concealed the first defective medical device reports."
The words struck Adrien like a blow.
His father.
The man he had spent his life admiring.
The man he had believed was trying to expose corruption.
Had helped create the conditions that allowed it to grow.
Adrien felt the room spin.
Daniel continued.
"Étienne says Laurent used that secret to blackmail him for years."
Adrien looked at Sophie.
She was staring at him, equally stunned.
Then Daniel said the words that changed everything.
May you like
"Adrien, your father wants to confess."
END OF CHAPTER 14
