Chapter 2 - The Fortress of Solitude
The Vance penthouse occupied the top three floors of the tallest residential tower in Chicago. It was a masterpiece of modern architecture: sharp angles, floor-to-ceiling glass, stark white walls, and black marble. It was completely void of warmth.
When Julian carried Lily out of the private elevator, she looked around in absolute terror. To a child who had lived her entire life in a damp, one-room apartment, the penthouse looked like an alien spaceship.
"It's too big," Lily whispered, clutching the lapels of Julian’s cashmere overcoat, which he had wrapped around her freezing frame.
"It is," Julian agreed softly. "But it's safe."
He ordered his private staff to draw a warm bath, lay out the smallest clothes they could find, and prepare a hot meal. For the next two hours, Julian paced his expansive home office, a glass of scotch untouched on his desk.
Silas entered the room quietly. "Sir. The medical examiner confirmed it. Elena Vance passed away forty-eight hours ago. Pneumonia, exacerbated by severe malnutrition and lack of medical care."
Julian closed his eyes, leaning heavily against his desk. "Malnutrition. I’m a billionaire, Silas, and the woman I loved starved to death."
"There is more, sir," Silas continued, his tone dangerously flat. "I reviewed Elena’s financial records. She didn't empty your joint accounts eight years ago. The withdrawal was authorized by your grandfather, Arthur Vance Sr. He transferred the funds to offshore accounts to make it look like she robbed you. He forced her out."
The scotch glass shattered as Julian swept it off the desk. The amber liquid bled across the white rug. His grandfather. The patriarch of the Vance family had manipulated Elena’s disappearance because she was a "distraction" to Julian’s corporate ascension.
"My grandfather has been dead for three years," Julian growled, his eyes burning with a lethal fire. "But his loyalists still sit on my board. My uncle, Richard. My cousin, Marcus."
"They will undoubtedly view the child as a threat to the family lineage and the trust," Silas warned.
"Let them," Julian snarled.
The office door cracked open. Lily stood there, bathed and wearing an oversized, expensive t-shirt. She looked incredibly small.
Julian’s anger evaporated instantly. He walked over and knelt before her. "Are you hungry, Lily?"
May you like
She nodded slowly. "Mama said rich people eat gold. Is that true?"
Julian let out a broken, watery laugh. "No, sweetheart. We eat regular food. Come on. Let's get you something to eat." As he took her tiny, fragile hand, Julian silently vowed to burn his entire empire to the ground before he let anyone hurt her.
