Chapter 9
Thomas Parker arrived at Laurent’s before William summoned him.
That was mistake number one.
He walked into the private dining room with the confidence of a man who believed family title still opened every door.
Then he saw Victor under guard.
His expression changed.
Mistake number two.
William said nothing.
Thomas looked toward Emma.
Mistake number three.
Recognition.
Immediate.
Too fast.
William leaned back.
“You know her.”
Thomas smiled.
“Should I?”
Emma pressed against William’s side.
That answered enough.
Thomas tried again.
“She resembles Elena.”
“You haven’t seen Elena in years.”
Silence.
Thomas sat slowly.
Victor looked away.
William noticed.
“You were giving Victor orders.”
Thomas laughed.
“Victor manages a restaurant.”
“Not last night.”
Thomas’s face hardened.
William continued.
“Rachel is alive.”
That landed.
Thomas did not ask who Rachel was.
Mistake number four.
William almost admired how quickly the man had exposed himself.
“What did you want from her?”
Thomas sighed.
“The ledger.”
“Why?”
“Because it belongs to the family.”
William looked around.
“I am the family.”
Thomas smiled.
“No.”
The word came softly.
William’s eyes narrowed.
Thomas leaned forward.
“You’re the chair.”
Then he nodded toward Emma.
“That little girl is blood.”
Noah.
“And the baby too.”
William said nothing.
Thomas continued.
“Vincent knew what happens when too many branches grow.”
“And?”
“You prune.”
Emma did not understand the word.
William did.
His face became cold.
“Elena found out.”
“Yes.”
“Rachel too.”
“Yes.”
“And you continued my father’s work after he died.”
Thomas smiled faintly.
“Someone had to.”
There it was.
No shame.
No hesitation.
A man inheriting cruelty like duty.
William looked at Emma.
Then Thomas.
“My father is dead.”
Thomas nodded.
“But his problem isn’t.”
William’s expression changed.
Thomas saw it too late.
May you like
He had just called two children a problem.
And William suddenly understood exactly which side of the family history his uncle had chosen.
