Chapter 2 - The Silent AccusationAlexander grabbed the small gold shield, holding it beneath the bright light of the nursery chandelier.
Engraved on the micro-surface of the back was a tiny, faint symbol: a snake coiled around a broken dagger—the private seal of Dominic Vance, Alexander’s primary corporate rival and long-time syndicate enemy.
Dr. Harrison took an involuntary step backward toward the nursery door. "I... I have no idea how that got there, Mr. Harrington! I am a board-certified physician! I was hired by your brother, Julian!"
"My brother Julian?" Alexander repeated, his voice dropping into a quiet, terrifying register that dropped the room's temperature below freezing.
The other man smells like old tobacco, Theo’s thoughts drifted into my mind again, quiet and sleepy. He gave the doctor the shiny metal thing. They whispered about money.
My heart hammered against my ribs. Julian Harrington—Alexander’s younger half-brother—was the executive VP of Harrington Global Logistics. To the public, Julian was a loyal, devoted uncle who had spent the last three days pacing the hallways outside the nursery, weeping for his nephew's "terminal condition."
"Alexander," I spoke carefully, choosing every word with razor-sharp precision. "Dr. Harrison’s hands are shaking. And if this tag was designed to press against a newborn's vagus nerve, it required precise anatomical knowledge. A layman couldn't have placed it so accurately."
Dr. Harrison turned to bolt toward the hallway door.
CLICK.
Before the doctor’s hand could touch the brass handle, Marcus Vance—Alexander’s chief security director—stepped through the doorway, holding a silenced pistol aimed straight at Harrison’s chest.
"Where are you going, Doctor?" Marcus asked coldly.
Alexander walked up to Dr. Harrison, his broad frame towering over the trembling physician. "Who paid you?"
"Julian!" Harrison sobbed, dropping to his knees on the carpet, throwing his hands up in terror. "Julian promised me two million dollars in an offshore Swiss account! He told me if the baby died of a 'congenital defect,' he would inherit sixty percent of the Harrington estate trust! Please, Alexander! I didn't poison him! I just placed the nerve-block tag!"
Alexander didn't yell. He didn't lose his temper. He simply looked down at the groveling man with absolute, weightless disgust.
"Marcus," Alexander commanded flatly. "Take him to the basement holding facility. Secure his phones, his financial records, and every communication log between him and my brother."
"Yes, Don Alexander," Marcus replied, grabbing Harrison by the collar and dragging him out into the corridor.
The room fell quiet once more.
Alexander turned back to me. I was still sitting in the rocking chair, cradling Theo against my chest. The baby had fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep, his small face resting against my shoulder.
Alexander walked over, sinking into the leather armchair across from me. For the first time since I had stepped into Harrington Manor, the cold mob boss looked completely vulnerable.
"You saved his life, Ella," Alexander whispered, his gray eyes shining with an intense, unreserved gratitude. "Three doctors told me my son was dying. You were here for three hours, and you saw what none of them could."
I like her, Theo’s sleepy thought echoed warmly in my mind. Don't let her go, Daddy.
May you like
I offered a small, soft smile, stroking the baby's soft hair. "He's a fighter, Mr. Harrington. He just needed someone to listen."
Alexander leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees, his gaze locking onto mine with an unyielding intensity. "You're not leaving this estate, Ella. As of tonight, you are Theo's head private guardian. Name your salary."
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