The Hidden Heir's Revenge

CHAPTER FIVE: THE PATRIARCH

Alex followed Derek down the hallway toward the study. His footsteps were silent on the Persian rugs that lined the marble floors. Ahead, Derek walked with the confidence of someone who belonged here, who had never questioned his place in this world.

They reached the heavy oak doors of the study. Derek knocked twice and entered without waiting for a response.

"Grandfather, he's here."

Thomas Davis sat behind a massive mahogany desk like a king on his throne. He was seventy-eight years old, silver-haired and sharp-eyed, his face weathered by decades of ruthless business dealings. Catherine and Richard sat in chairs facing him, their expressions grave.

"Alex." Thomas didn't stand, or offer a handshake. "Sit down."

There was only one chair left, positioned directly in front of the desk. Lower than Thomas's chair, designed to make visitors feel small. Alex sat, maintaining eye contact.

"I'll get straight to the point," Thomas said. "You're a cancer in this family. You've been a burden since the day Nora brought you home. Tomorrow, you will sign divorce papers and remove yourself from our lives permanently."

"Nora gave me two weeks."

Thomas's fist slammed on the desk. "I don't care what Nora said! She's my granddaughter and she'll do as I command. Just as you'll do as I command."

"With respect, sir, I'm not part of your family yet. According to you, I never was."

"Exactly. So why are you still here?"

Alex leaned back in his chair, studying the old man. Three years of insults, three years of contempt, all coming from this man who sat in judgment like he owned the world.

"Because I made vows to your granddaughter. For better or worse. I intend to honor those vows."

Catherine laughed bitterly. "Honor? You don't know the meaning of the word. You've been living off our charity for three years."

"I've been living in your house, yes. But I've earned my keep. I cook, I clean, I maintain the grounds. I've never taken money from you."

"Because you have no money to give!" Thomas's voice rose. "You're worthless, Alex. A parasite. My granddaughter's life has been ruined because of you."

"Her life was ruined the moment you filed that lawsuit against her," Alex said quietly.

The room went silent. Thomas's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"What did you say?"

"The lawsuit. David Parker's lawsuit against Nora. You could stop it with one phone call. You have connections at Hartwell Industries. You could make this go away. But you won't. Because you want her desperate enough to divorce me."

"How dare you!!"

"Am I wrong?" Alex's voice remained calm. "You're using your own granddaughter's suffering as leverage. What kind of man does that?"

Thomas stood abruptly, his face flushed with rage. "Get out. Get out of my house right now."

"This isn't your house. It's Richard and Catherine's house. And I'll leave when Nora tells me to leave, not before."

"You arrogant…" Thomas moved around the desk, his hand raised.

"Father, please." Richard stood quickly, positioning himself between them. "This isn't helping."

"He needs to learn his place!"

"I know my place," Alex said, standing slowly. "I'm Nora's husband. That's my place. And nothing you say or do will change that unless she wants it changed."

Derek spoke up from his position by the door. "Grandfather, maybe we should just let the two weeks play out. Let Alex humiliate himself one final time. Then Nora will see clearly."

Thomas turned to his grandson, breathing hard. "What do you mean?"

"He says he can fix the Parker situation. He says he can prove he's not worthless. Let him try. When he fails—and he will fail, Nora will sign the divorce papers herself. No force necessary."

Thomas considered this, his anger slowly cooling into calculation. "Two weeks."

"Yes sir."

"And when you fail, Alex, you'll leave this family forever. No contact with Nora, no attempts to see her, nothing. You'll disappear completely. Do you agree to those terms?"

Alex met the old man's eyes. "And if I succeed? If I fix the Parker situation and prove I can provide for your granddaughter?"

"You won't."

"But if I do?"

Thomas's smile was cruel. "If you somehow manage to resolve a lawsuit from one of the most powerful families in the city, if you somehow prove you're not the useless nobody we all know you are, then I'll personally apologize and welcome you to this family."

"You'll apologize in front of everyone. At a family dinner. With Nora present."

"Agreed. Though it will never happen."

"We'll see." Alex headed for the door. Derek stepped aside, his expression amused.

"Two weeks, Alex," Derek said. "Tick tock."

Alex left the study and walked through the mansion toward the small bedroom he shared with Nora. It was on the third floor, in what used to be the servants' quarters. Small, poorly heated in winter, with a single window overlooking the service entrance.

The room where the Davis family had placed their daughter and her worthless husband.

Alex sat on the bed and pulled out his phone. A new text from Vincent.

“TechVision acquisition complete. You now own the company. Shell corporation in place, complete anonymity maintained. What next should I do?”

Alex typed back: “Just maintain the current management for now. Don't make any changes, I want to visit as a regular employee first.”

“Understood. Also, Parker update: His uncle Gerald received our message. Parker will be terminated first thing tomorrow morning. The lawsuit will be withdrawn by 8 AM.”

Alex smiled. Everything was proceeding perfectly.

Another text appeared, this one from Marcus.

“Hey man, I feel terrible about earlier. Diane was out of line. Can we meet for coffee tomorrow? I want to explain.”

Alex stared at the message. Marcus had been his best friend for five years. They had worked together at TechVision, suffered under Lucas Lewis together, and supported each other through hard times.

Then Marcus had chosen his wife over their friendship.

Alex understood it. He didn't blame Marcus but it still hurt.

He typed back: “Sure. Coffee sounds good. The usual place, 10 AM?”

“Perfect. Thanks, Alex. You're a good friend.”

Alex set his phone aside and lay back on the bed. The ceiling had a water stain in the corner that he had stared at countless nights, unable to sleep, wondering if he had made a terrible mistake.

Three years of being treated like dirt, of watching Nora grow distant, of questioning everything he'd done.

But tomorrow, things will start to change.

Tomorrow, David Parker will learn that actions have consequences.

Tomorrow, Alex would begin reclaiming his life.

He must have dozed off because the next thing he knew, the bedroom door was opening. Nora stood in the doorway, still wearing her hospital clothes. Catherine was behind her, carrying an overnight bag.

"I'm home," Nora said quietly.

Alex sat up quickly. "You should be resting. The doctors said—"

"I'm fine. I wanted to sleep in my own bed." She looked exhausted, her face pale beneath the bandage.

"I'll take care of her," Catherine said coldly. "You can sleep somewhere else tonight."

"Mom!!!" Nora started.

"He can sleep in the guest room. You need rest and I'm staying with you tonight."

Alex stood. "It's fine. I'll be in the guest room if you need anything, babe."

He grabbed a pillow and left before Nora could protest. Behind him, he heard Catherine's voice, sharp and satisfied.

"See? He doesn't even fight for you. He just accepts whatever he's told."

Alex closed the door to the guest room and sat on the bed. His phone buzzed again. Another message from Vincent.

“Forgot to mention: Davis family background check is underway. Preliminary findings are interesting. Thomas Davis's company is in severe financial trouble. Debts exceeding assets by a significant margin. He's been hiding it well, but he's on the verge of bankruptcy.”

Alex read the message twice. Bankruptcy. That explained the urgent whispers, the desperate need to control Nora, the willingness to abandon her to Parker's lawsuit.

Thomas Davis wasn't powerful. He was desperate.

And desperate men made mistakes.

Alex smiled in the darkness. He had asked for two weeks. He might not need that long.

Tomorrow will be very interesting indeed.

He lay back and closed his eyes. Somewhere in the mansion, Nora was probably lying awake too, wondering what the next two weeks would bring.

She had no idea.

None of them did.

Outside, the city lights sparkled in the distance. Alex's city. His empire. His world.

And he was about to reclaim every bit of it.

Sleep came easier than it had in months. For the first time in three years, Alex Munroe felt like himself again.

Tomorrow, everyone else will start to see it too.