A cold, hard knot twisted in Alaric’s gut. Daniel’s confession, raw and broken, explained the 'how' but not the 'why'. Krosz was a name, a shadow, but the 'Patron' remained an enigma, a puppet master pulling strings from the dark.
His gaze, sharp as obsidian, fixed on Daniel. "Who is this Patron? Give me a name, Daniel. Now."
Sera watched, her hand unconsciously pressing against her chest. The air in the boardroom crackled with a dangerous energy. Daniel, slumped in his chair, looked like a man utterly defeated, his face ashen.
"I... I don't know his name," Daniel stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "Krosz always referred to him as 'the boss' or 'the client.' He was terrifying."
Alaric leaned forward, knuckles white where they gripped the polished table. "Then how did Krosz communicate with you? What did he say about this 'Patron'? Any details at all?"
Sweat beaded on Daniel's forehead. "Encrypted messages. Dead drops. He left a burner phone once. Krosz said the Patron held a grudge, deep and personal. Not just against Thorne Industries, but... against you, Alaric. And your connection to Sera."
Sera's breath hitched. Her connection to Alaric? What could that possibly mean?
"My connection to Sera?" Alaric repeated, his voice low, dangerous. "Explain."
Daniel flinched. "Krosz hinted... about her father. A past deal. Something that ruined someone important to the Patron. He said 'repayment' wasn't just about money. It was about legacy. About tearing down everything built on 'stolen' foundations."
Alaric exchanged a quick, worried glance with Sera. Her father? This was getting far more complicated than a simple corporate takeover.
"Did Krosz ever give you a message, a specific instruction, from this Patron?" Alaric pushed, his impatience growing with every evasive word.
Nodding slowly, Daniel pointed to his briefcase, which lay open on the floor. "He forced me to record something. A contingency. If I ever 'deviated' from the plan, Krosz would release it. It's on a data stick, hidden in the lining. He said it would 'clarify' the situation for you."
Fetching the briefcase, Sera carefully extracted a small, silver data stick. Her fingers trembled slightly as she handed it to Alaric. This felt like Pandora's Box.
Inserting it into his laptop, Alaric navigated to the single encrypted file. A video loaded. On screen, Krosz’s face appeared, smirking, his eyes cold and devoid of empathy. The background was stark, nondescript.
"Alaric Thorne," Krosz's voice, distorted slightly but still recognizable, filled the room. "You're smarter than I gave you credit for. Unraveling Daniel was... inconvenient. But it changes nothing. In fact, it merely fast-tracks the next phase."
He paused, a cruel glint in his eyes. "My employer, the true architect of your downfall, has been watching. Waiting. You see, this isn't merely about acquiring Thorne Industries. That's a trivial pursuit, a mere stepping stone."
Krosz chuckled, a dry, rasping sound. "The Patron, as you've heard, holds a grudge. A very old, very deep grudge against the late Arthur Vance. Sera's esteemed father."
Sera gasped, pressing a hand to her mouth. Her father?
Alaric's jaw tightened. Arthur Vance had been a legend, yes, but also a ruthless businessman in his youth. Could this be a consequence of some long-forgotten battle?
Krosz continued, his voice dripping with malice. "Arthur Vance, in his relentless climb, destroyed the life of Silas Vance. He ruined his family, stripped him of his reputation, and left him with nothing. Silas Vance lost everything, thanks to Arthur's 'brilliant' corporate maneuvering decades ago."