Chapter 5 - The Escalation
The realization of Arthur Drake’s cruelty burned through Griffin like wildfire. For nearly a decade, he had mourned the loss of the only woman he had ever loved, believing she had abandoned him for a simpler life, while in reality, his own father had manipulated her fear to protect his financial empire.
"He will never touch you or our daughters again," Griffin said, his voice dropping into a deadly register. "I promise you that on my life."
Two days later, Sloan was discharged from the hospital. Griffin arranged for a high-end medical transport to carry her directly to his heavily guarded estate in Bellevue, a sprawling timber-and-glass mansion tucked away on a private peninsula overlooking Lake Washington.
For Hazel and Iris, entering Griffin's world was like stepping into a fairytale. The estate featured vast gardens, a private dock, an indoor pool, and rooms larger than their entire former home. Yet Griffin was careful not to overwhelm them. He spent every evening sitting on the floor of their new bedroom, helping them build LEGO towers, answering their endless questions about high-tech computers, and letting them teach him how to play their favorite board games.
However, the peace was shattered on Thursday morning.
Griffin was sitting in his home office reviewing security protocols when his head of security, Marcus, walked in, his face tense.
"Boss, you need to see the news."
Griffin turned on the monitor mounted on the wall. A sensational headline flashed across the screen of a national financial news network:
BILLIONAIRE GRIFFIN DRAKE'S HIDDEN FAMILY EXPOSED: SECRET TWINS AND AN UNWED MOTHER IN SEATTLE.
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Photos of Sloan leaving the hospital in a wheelchair, surrounded by Griffin's security team, were being broadcast across millions of screens worldwide. Beneath the article was an anonymous quote from a "high-level insider" at Drake AI: Questions arise regarding Mr. Drake's emotional stability and suitability as CEO following the sudden appearance of an unannounced family.
Arthur was launching his coup.
