Chapter Six: The Brother in the Shadows
Adrian Thorne had spent his entire life standing behind Marcus.
Two years younger.
Equally educated.
Almost as intelligent.
Never chosen.
When their father died, Marcus inherited control of Thorne Global because the company trust granted voting authority to the eldest son.
Adrian received money, property, and a board seat.
But not power.
He smiled through every annual meeting and congratulated Marcus after every acquisition.
Behind that smile, resentment had grown quietly.
Marcus summoned Adrian to the hospital’s private conference room.
Adrian arrived in a navy suit and a carefully concerned expression.
“How is Khloe?”
“Alive.”
“And the baby?”
“Alive.”
Adrian exhaled.
“Thank God.”
Marcus placed the printed email on the table.
“Did you send this?”
Adrian glanced at it.
“No.”
“Rachel traced it to your office.”
“That doesn’t mean I wrote it.”
“Who had access?”
“My assistant. Information technology staff. Half the executive floor.”
Marcus stepped closer.
“Isabella received private schedules, internal travel details, and information about my marriage.”
Adrian’s concern disappeared.
“You think I helped her?”
“I think you hated me enough to create a scandal.”
Adrian laughed once.
“You always believed everything was about you.”
“You forged my email.”
“You cannot prove that.”
The answer came too quickly.
Marcus saw it.
Adrian saw that Marcus had seen it.
The brothers stood in silence.
Finally, Adrian walked toward the window.
“You were supposed to be embarrassed,” he said. “Not destroyed.”
Marcus’s voice dropped.
“What did you do?”
“I gave Isabella access. That’s all.”
“She attacked Khloe.”
“I didn’t know she would become violent.”
“You knew she was obsessed.”
“I knew she wanted you. I thought if the marriage collapsed, the board would question your judgment.”
Marcus stared at him.
Adrian turned.
“You have never made a mistake they couldn’t forgive. I needed one mistake they couldn’t ignore.”
“So you used my wife.”
“I used Isabella.”
“No. You placed Isabella inside my marriage and let Khloe become the target.”
Adrian’s eyes flashed.
“You placed the company before your marriage long before I did anything.”
Marcus absorbed the truth without denying it.
Adrian continued.
“Isabella only succeeded because you kept protecting her presence. Every time Khloe complained, you told her to tolerate it. Every time Isabella crossed a line, you called it strategy.”
Marcus stepped closer until they stood inches apart.
“You will resign from Thorne Global.”
Adrian smiled bitterly.
“You cannot force me off the board.”
“I won’t need to.”
Marcus opened the conference-room door.
Detective Lena Brooks stood outside with two officers.
Adrian’s face changed.
Lena entered.
“Adrian Thorne, we have a warrant for your phone, office computer, and financial records.”
Adrian looked at Marcus.
“You called the police on your own brother?”
Marcus’s eyes remained steady.
“You helped someone terrorize my wife.”
Adrian’s voice hardened.
“Blood means nothing to you.”
May you like
Marcus glanced toward the hallway where Khloe was recovering.
“You taught me that.”
