Chapter 9 - THE PRICE OF A FATHER'S LIFE
Adrien watched the photograph until his eyes burned.
His father was alive.
There could be no doubt now.
The image showed Étienne sitting beneath a harsh overhead light, his face bruised and his hands secured to the arms of a chair. A newspaper lay across his lap, its date clearly visible.
Someone had taken the photograph that morning.
Someone wanted Adrien to understand that the threat was real.
Claire contacted law enforcement through established international channels. Daniel began working with investigators to determine where the photograph had been taken.
But Adrien could barely tolerate the waiting.
"Call Victor," he said.
Sophie looked at him.
"Adrien—"
"Call him."
Claire's voice came through the speaker.
"Not yet. We need to preserve the message and coordinate with investigators. If Victor is involved, an uncontrolled confrontation could put Étienne at greater risk."
Adrien slammed his palm against the wheelchair armrest.
"That's my father!"
Sophie stepped closer.
"And that's exactly why you need to think clearly."
He turned toward her, furious.
For a moment, she thought he might shout.
Instead, his expression crumpled.
"I buried him."
His voice was barely audible.
"I stood beside his grave. I told Lila stories about him. I spent five years wishing I could speak to him one more time."
Sophie knelt beside him.
"I know."
"And now he's alive, and someone is threatening to kill him."
She took his hand.
"Then we help the investigators find him. But we don't give the people holding him control over every decision."
Adrien looked at her for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
The next development came from Madeleine.
She remembered a property connected to the original investigation: an abandoned rehabilitation center outside Annecy, once operated by a subsidiary of the Valmont medical foundation.
Étienne had used it as a meeting place before disappearing.
Daniel passed the information to authorities.
Within hours, investigators discovered that the property had recently received deliveries despite being officially closed.
Surveillance images showed a dark vehicle entering the grounds twice during the previous week.
Its registration belonged to a company linked to Northbridge Capital.
Adrien felt hope rising.
But Claire warned him not to assume Étienne was there.
"We have a lead, not confirmation."
Meanwhile, the extraordinary Valmont Group board meeting was approaching.
Victor had accelerated the proposed Asterion acquisition.
He had also circulated a medical opinion from Gabriel declaring Adrien incapable of resuming executive duties for at least eighteen months.
Adrien read the document in disbelief.
"Eighteen months?"
Dr. Morel examined the report.
"There's no adequate clinical explanation for that specific timeline."
"Can you challenge it?"
"I can provide an independent medical assessment. The board will need to evaluate the evidence appropriately."
Claire prepared an emergency legal challenge to Victor's authority.
She also requested an independent audit of the Asterion transaction.
The preliminary findings were alarming.
Asterion's reported revenue included substantial sales to clinics controlled by related parties.
Several patents were under dispute.
And some of the company's most profitable products had been the subject of confidential safety complaints.
Adrien recognized the pattern described by his father.
The company wasn't worth $480 million.
It might not even be worth a fraction of that.
The acquisition appeared designed to transfer Valmont Group money into entities controlled by the conspirators.
That evening, Victor called.
Adrien answered on a recorded line with Claire's approval.
"Cousin," Victor said warmly. "I've been trying to reach you."
Adrien kept his voice calm.
"I've been busy."
"I heard you've requested another medical opinion."
"That's correct."
Victor sighed.
"Adrien, I know this is difficult. But you need to accept that recovery takes time."
Adrien looked toward Sophie.
"Funny. Gabriel keeps saying the same thing."
"Because he's a good doctor."
"Is he?"
There was a brief silence.
Victor laughed.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Adrien chose his words carefully.
"It means I've been reviewing the company's medical investments."
Victor's tone changed.
"You should be resting."
"I've had enough rest."
"Adrien, don't make decisions while you're emotional."
"Then explain Asterion."
Silence.
Victor finally replied.
"It's a strategic opportunity."
"At nearly half a billion dollars?"
"The board has reviewed the projections."
"Has the board reviewed the related-party transactions?"
Victor stopped speaking.
Adrien continued.
"Or the quality complaints?"
The silence deepened.
Then Victor said quietly, "You need to be careful."
Adrien felt a chill.
"Is that a threat?"
"No. It's advice."
Victor's voice became cold.
"You've already lost more than you understand. Don't make the mistake of losing what you have left."
The call ended.
Adrien looked at Claire.
"That sounded like a threat."
"It may be relevant evidence," she said. "We'll preserve the recording."
Minutes later, Daniel called from Geneva.
His voice was urgent.
"Adrien, we found something at Madeleine's apartment."
"What?"
"A hidden compartment beneath her desk. It contained a second copy of your father's recording."
Adrien gripped the phone.
"Does it include the missing ending?"
"Yes."
"Then play it."
Daniel hesitated.
"Adrien, the name your father gives is someone very close to you."
Adrien closed his eyes.
"Who?"
Daniel answered.
"Claire Beaumont."
Adrien slowly turned toward his attorney.
She was standing less than six feet away.
May you like
And she had heard every word.
END OF CHAPTER 9
