Realization
The Langford estate felt colder than usual, despite the late summer sun slanting golden rays through the tall windows. Lady Bianca sat in the drawing room, hands restless on her lap. For three days she had called her son’s number without answer. For three days she had felt the quiet tug of dread that mothers often knew before anyone else.
Marcus entered, holding a printed report from one of the family’s financial advisers. His jaw was tight, his usually calm eyes stormy.
“Bianca,” he said, voice low, “it’s true. Ares has liquidated several of his companies here. The holdings were quietly transferred overseas. And he didn’t say a word to us.”
Lady Bianca pressed a hand to her chest. “Overseas? Where?”
“They wouldn’t say. It’s all been made confidential. The only thing they
