Emperor Of War

Chapter Sixteen: The Hayes Family

Adam Swift's POV

The engine of the black military vehicle hummed softly as we drove through the quiet streets of Quinzerland.

Outside the tinted windows, the city glittered beneath the evening sky. Towering skyscrapers pierced the clouds, luxury hotels illuminated the avenues, and streams of traffic flowed through the heart of the capital. Ordinarily, I would have been studying every street, every rooftop, every possible threat.

Tonight, my thoughts were elsewhere. Taylor. For ten years, I had buried every memory of my younger brother beneath hatred. I had convinced myself that mourning him was the only way to survive.

Now Derek Carter has shattered that belief with a few simple words. Your brother is alive. I closed my eyes briefly. Could it really be true? Or had Derek simply found the perfect lie to save his own life?

Dax broke the silence. "I've finished the preliminary investigation."

I turned toward him. "What did you find?"

He placed a tablet on the table between us. "The Hayes family is exactly what Derek described."

Several photographs appeared on the screen. A magnificent estate stretched across acres of land, surrounded by stone walls, private gardens, and armed security. The property resembled a palace more than a residence.

"They're one of the oldest families in Quinzerland," Dax continued. "They've built hospitals, schools, and charitable foundations. Their reputation is spotless."

I studied the photographs. "There must be something more."

Dax nodded. "There is." He swiped to another file. "The head of the family is William Hayes."

A distinguished elderly man appeared on the screen. White hair. Sharp eyes. A calm expression.

"He inherited the Hayes fortune decades ago," Dax explained. "Unlike most wealthy families, they've stayed away from politics and organized crime."

That caught my attention. "No enemies?"

"Very few."

"What about children?"

Dax hesitated. "They have one son."

My heartbeat quickened. The photograph loaded. A young man stood beside William Hayes during a charity ceremony. He appeared to be in his early twenties. Tall. Athletic. Well dressed. His expression was composed, almost unreadable.

Beneath the image was a name. Ethan Hayes. I stared at the photograph. For a long moment, I said nothing. There was no immediate resemblance.

Ten years could change a person's appearance. A different hairstyle. Different features. A different life. None of it proved anything. Yet I couldn't look away.

Dax noticed. "You see it too?"

I frowned. "What?"

"The eyes."

I looked closer. There was something strangely familiar. Not enough to draw conclusions. But enough to make me wonder.

Dax folded his arms. "According to official records, Ethan Hayes was adopted ten years ago."

The words struck me like thunder. Exactly ten years. The same year my family was destroyed. My expression hardened.

"Do they mention where he came from?"

Dax shook his head. "No." "The adoption records were sealed by court order."

"Who authorized it?"

"Unknown."

Silence filled the vehicle. The coincidence was impossible to ignore. A wealthy family adopting a boy whose records had been erased during the same year Taylor disappeared. Too many pieces fit together. Yet coincidence alone wasn't proof.

"We don't move until we know the truth," I said.

Dax nodded. "I've already arranged surveillance."

A faint smile crossed my face. "I expected nothing less."

Nearly forty minutes later, the vehicle slowed. Through the window, the Hayes estate came into view. The property was breathtaking. Elegant fountains decorated the entrance. Ancient oak trees lined the driveway. Uniformed security officers patrolled the grounds with military precision. Luxury vehicles entered and exited through a massive iron gate.

"This family certainly values security," I observed.

"They've received several threats over the years," Dax replied.

"But nothing unusual recently."

I continued watching the estate. The guards. The cameras. The patrol routes. Every detail settled into my memory. Old habits never disappeared.

"General."

Dax pointed toward the front entrance. A black luxury sedan rolled through the gates. Several guards immediately straightened. The mansion doors opened. An elderly gentleman stepped outside. William Hayes. Even from a distance, his presence commanded respect.

A young man followed a few seconds later. He wore a tailored black suit. His posture was confident. The moment he stepped into the light… Time seemed to stop. My breathing slowed. The shape of his face. The way he walked. The slight tilt of his head. Something deep inside me stirred. Not certainty. Recognition. A feeling impossible to explain. My fingers tightened against the seat.

Could it really be… No. I forced myself to remain calm. Emotion clouded judgment. I needed facts. Not hope.

The young man helped William Hayes into the waiting sedan before taking his own seat beside him. The convoy began moving.

"Follow them," I said quietly.

Our driver nodded. The military vehicle slipped into traffic, maintaining a careful distance. No headlights flashed. No sudden movements. Just another car on the road.

After nearly twenty minutes, the Hayes convoy arrived at a grand charity gala hosted inside one of Quinzerland's most luxurious hotels. Business leaders. Government officials. Media reporters.

The entrance buzzed with activity. William Hayes stepped out first. The cameras immediately surrounded him. Moments later, the young man exited the vehicle. Camera flashes exploded across the entrance.

Reporters eagerly called his name.

"Ethan!" "Look this way!" "Smile!"

He offered a polite smile before escorting William Hayes inside. I watched him disappear through the revolving doors.

Dax turned toward me. "What's the plan?"

I kept my eyes fixed on the hotel entrance. "For ten years, I've searched for ghosts." I paused "Tonight..." I slowly opened the vehicle door. "...I'm going to meet one."