Chapter 5 - Shadows of the Past
With the security team firmly under his command, Garrett began auditing the internal surveillance logs and communication data of the executive floor. He set up a temporary operations base inside a secure room adjacent to Eleanor’s office.
One evening, after the corporate floors had cleared out and the city lights began to twinkle outside the windows, Garrett was reviewing a series of heavily encrypted financial transfers originating from Julian’s department. The numbers didn't add up—millions of dollars were being funneled into offshore shell companies listed under names linked to a notorious international corporate espionage syndicate known as The Obsidian Group.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed. It was a call from Mrs. Gable, the trusted elderly neighbor who was watching Lily at his house.
"Garrett, thank goodness you answered," Mrs. Gable’s voice was trembling with anxiety.
Garrett’s heart dropped into his stomach. "Mrs. Gable, what’s wrong? Is Lily okay?"
"She’s fine, she’s safe inside with me, but… there’s a black SUV parked across the street, Garrett. It’s been sitting there with the lights off for the past three hours. A man got out earlier and was taking pictures of your house, and just now, he walked up to the edge of the driveway, looking through the windows with binoculars. I called the police, but they said a patrol car won't be available for another hour."
A cold, terrifying fury ignited in Garrett’s veins. They were targeting his daughter.
"Mrs. Gable, listen to me very carefully," Garrett said, his voice dead, flat, and lethal. "Lock all the doors and windows. Draw the blinds. Take Lily into the master bathroom—it has no exterior windows. Lock yourselves inside. I am coming home right now, and I am bringing help."
Garrett slammed the phone down and sprinted out of the office. As he reached the elevator, Eleanor emerged from her room, recognizing the look of pure, unadulterated combat readiness on his face.
"Garrett? What is it?" she asked, her voice filled with immediate concern.
"They're watching my house, Eleanor. They're targeting Lily," Garrett said, his jaw clamped tight.
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Eleanor didn't hesitate for a single second. She turned to Marcus, who was standing nearby. "Marcus, call the alpha tactical team. Send them to Garrett’s address immediately. If anyone touches that little girl, burn their world down." She looked back at Garrett. "Go, son. Protect your child."
Garrett took the stairs three at a time down to the garage, roaring out into the night in a high-powered corporate SUV, his mind consumed by a single, burning thought: If they touch her, there won't be enough left of them to bury.
