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The Lost Years
Author: Danny
last update2025-11-30 15:27:30

The private room Lady Victoria led them to was more library than office. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves held medical texts in multiple languages, some appearing centuries old. A fire crackled in the marble fireplace despite it being summer.

Two security guards stood outside the closed door. Not waiting—guarding.

"Sit, please," Lady Victoria said, settling into a wingback chair with the grace of someone born to command. "This will take some time to explain properly."

James and Elena sat on the opposing sofa. Elena kept her hand on James's arm, grounding him as memories continued to surface in disjointed fragments.

"The American Ashfords—Victor's branch—were crude," Lady Victoria began without preamble. "Traffickers. Experimenters. They treated children as laboratory specimens. My family built something far more sophisticated over three centuries."

"Three centuries?" Elena asked.

"The Ashcroft Physician Cultivation Program began in 1724," Lady Victoria said with something like pride. "We
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  • The Lost Years

    The private room Lady Victoria led them to was more library than office. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves held medical texts in multiple languages, some appearing centuries old. A fire crackled in the marble fireplace despite it being summer.Two security guards stood outside the closed door. Not waiting—guarding."Sit, please," Lady Victoria said, settling into a wingback chair with the grace of someone born to command. "This will take some time to explain properly."James and Elena sat on the opposing sofa. Elena kept her hand on James's arm, grounding him as memories continued to surface in disjointed fragments."The American Ashfords—Victor's branch—were crude," Lady Victoria began without preamble. "Traffickers. Experimenters. They treated children as laboratory specimens. My family built something far more sophisticated over three centuries.""Three centuries?" Elena asked."The Ashcroft Physician Cultivation Program began in 1724," Lady Victoria said with something like pride. "We

  • The physician

    The London charity gala was everything the Monaco event had been, but with more history behind it. The venue was a centuries-old manor house, all marble columns and oil paintings of long-dead aristocrats. The guest list read like a directory of European old money and pharmaceutical dynasties.James felt out of place despite the tailored tuxedo. Elena seemed more comfortable, navigating conversations about art acquisitions and summer estates with practiced ease."You're getting better at this," she murmured as they moved through the crowd."I'm faking it better," James corrected. "There's a difference."They were speaking with a German industrialist about funding for medical research when James felt eyes on him. Intense, focused attention that made the hair on his neck stand up.He turned and saw her across the room.An elderly woman, perhaps in her eighties, stood perfectly still amid the flowing crowd. She wore an elegant black gown and diamonds that probably cost more than James's c

  • The New Begginning

    Three months later, the verdict came down in a Manhattan federal courthouse.Victor Ashford was found guilty on forty-seven counts of human trafficking, twenty-three counts of kidnapping, eighteen counts of illegal medical experimentation, and numerous other charges that carried sentences measured in lifetimes.The judge gave him thirty years without possibility of parole.James watched from the gallery with Elena beside him and his parents behind him. When the sentence was read, his mother squeezed his shoulder. His father said quietly, "It's over."But James knew it wasn't over. Not really. Victor's network had been larger than just him.Still, twelve additional arrests had been made across five countries. Three facilities besides Nevada had been raided and shut down. Eight more survivors had been found and were receiving care.It was progress. Significant progress.James's parents had recovered remarkably well. The years of captivity had taken their toll, but the Thorne resilience

  • The confrontation

    The Salle des Étoiles lived up to its name. Stars glittered overhead—both in the night sky visible through the retractable roof and among the guests who represented Europe's wealthiest elite. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over designer gowns and tailored tuxedos. Champagne flowed freely. A string quartet played something classical and refined.James felt completely out of place and exactly where he needed to be.Elena's hand rested lightly on his arm as they entered, playing their roles as wealthy couple attending charity function. Marcus followed several steps behind, maintaining the appearance of separate attendance.Cole's voice came through the nearly invisible earpiece James wore. "I'm in position. Third floor balcony, eyes on the whole room. Victor just arrived through the east entrance."James spotted him immediately. Victor Ashford stood at the center of a small crowd, holding court like royalty. He wore an immaculate white dinner jacket that probably cost more than Jame

  • The Hunt

    The international arrest warrant for Victor Ashford was issued within forty-eight hours of the press conference. Interpol flagged his passport, froze known bank accounts, and alerted member nations to detain him on sight.But Victor had money and connections that made official channels nearly useless.Marcus spent two days working his intelligence contacts before he got a solid lead. He called James and Elena to the war room—now relocated to a hotel suite since the safe house had been compromised by media attention."Victor's plane landed in Monaco three days ago," Marcus said, spreading surveillance photos across the table. "He's staying at the Hotel de Paris. Penthouse suite.""Can Monaco authorities arrest him?" Elena asked.Marcus shook his head. "Monaco's banking secrecy laws and Victor's history of generous donations to local officials make that unlikely. My contact says he's essentially untouchable there.""Then we make him touchable," James said.His phone rang. Cole's name ap

  • The revelation

    The press conference was scheduled for two PM at a neutral venue downtown. By noon, every major news outlet had positioned cameras and reporters. The story had been teased with just enough detail to guarantee maximum coverage: "Sterling Family to Reveal Dark Legacy."James stood backstage with Elena, both of them reviewing notes they probably didn't need anymore. They'd rehearsed this moment a hundred times, but the reality of it felt different."Last chance to back out," James said quietly.Elena looked at him with absolute certainty. "Not a chance. We do this together."Marcus appeared with their legal team. "The attorneys want me to remind you both that everything you say today will be used in ongoing criminal cases. Stick to documented facts. Don't speculate.""We know," Elena said. "Are the survivors ready?""They're here. Waiting in the side room. Anna will speak first, then David if he's comfortable."The stage was simple. A long table, microphones, screens mounted behind them

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