Chapter 12:NATHAN’S MISTAKE

Ivy's POV

I sit in the darkened kitchen, holding my phone as if it were going to break in my hands, the text from Victor still burning in my head. Run. The term throbs in my mind like a sinister drum that would not go away. Where would I go, though? What about Nathan?

Later that night, Nathan arrives at the penthouse as though he was called by my thoughts. Something more somber and quieter takes the place of his typical effervescent exuberance. His face is pallid beneath his dark locks, and his hands are stuffed deep in his jacket pockets.

He hesitates in the doorway before saying, "Hey." "Are you free for a moment?"

I give him a nod and motion him inside. "Obviously. What's the matter?

Nathan fidgets with his jacket's zipper while seated at the kitchen island. I can tell something is very wrong when he avoids looking at me.

"I, um..." After clearing his throat, he turns to face me. "I got to know someone. A man by the name of Victor Kane

I'm hit hard by the name. I have to keep my composure as my heart begins to race. "Kane, Victor? When?

Nathan responds, "A few days ago." "He came up to me off campus. Statedthat he wanted to assist after learning about my intention to apply to institutions.

"Exactly what did he say?" I ask, attempting to speak steadily.

Nathan furrows his head and shrugs. "Just that he could give guidance." You know, he seemed like a decent guy. polished. Expert. Claimed to have ties to admissions officials. I assumed he was merely attempting to be helpful.

A knot forms in my stomach. "Nathan, did you mention anything to him regarding Griffin? or our relatives?

Nathan's eyes enlarge a bit. Yes, a bit, I mean. When he inquired about my family's occupation, I brought up Griffin's business. However, nothing major! Simply general information.

With a harder tone than I intended, I say, "Nathan." Victor Kane cannot be reached. He is untrustworthy. He is not who you believe him to be.

Nathan leans back in his chair and his face drops. "Hold on, what? So who is he? What is happening?

I'm caught between telling him the truth and shielding him. At last, I choose a compromise. Nathan, he's dangerous. He is engaged in activities that could harm us. He's not being nice if he's asking questions. He has a plan.

As Nathan takes in what I've said, his mouth opens and shuts. Silently, he says, "I didn't know." "Ivy, I promise. It didn't seem like a huge deal to me.

I grab his hand from the other side of the table. "I understand. You are not to blame. However, we must exercise caution. If Victor comes up to you again, you must tell me right away. Furthermore, you are not permitted to discuss Griffin or the family in any other way. Make me a promise.

Nathan promises, but there is a lot of shame in his voice. "I didn't intend to cause any trouble."

I reply, "You didn't," but I'm not positive if that's accurate. "We'll work it out."

I'm left to think on my own once Nathan leaves. My phone is haunted by Victor's texts, and the notebook from Griffin's safe is still hidden in the bedroom. Although the puzzle's parts are present, I'm still unable to understand them. And the stakes feel bigger than ever now that Nathan is unintentionally bringing Victor closer to us.

When Griffin gets home, I'm still trying to make sense of everything. I can tell something's wrong by the way his jaw is set, and his mood is no better than it was the previous evening.

"Long day?" As he pours himself a drink, I ask warily.

He murmurs as he swirls the amber liquid in his glass, "You could say that." "An internal investigation is being discussed, and the board is still breathing down my neck."

My heart beats faster. "An inquiry? Into what?

I briefly believe Griffin is going to tell me when his eyes dart to me. He shakes his head, nevertheless. It isn't anything. Only politics.

Despite my lack of conviction, I nod. "Can I be of any assistance to you?"

"No," he answers emphatically. "I'll take care of it."

There is no place for debate in his tone, so I don't bring it up. However, I feel as though the walls are closing in on me as he withdraws to his study and shuts the door behind him. Him. On us.

The sound of my phone vibrating wakes me up later that night. Victor has texted me again.

Ivy, I told you. You will be destroyed by your husband's secrets.

My heart is racing as I look at the screen. Another communication arrives before I can reply.

Come see me tomorrow. Noon. The same location.

I have no desire to go. I have a gut feeling that I should avoid Victor Kane at all costs. But I can't ignore him if there's even a remote possibility that he has information that could help me safeguard Nathan and find out what's going on with Griffin.

Nervous, I got to the café five minutes early the following day. Victor is already there, enjoying a newspaper and a cup of coffee at a table in the corner. As I get closer, he looks up, his face as unreadable as ever.

He motions for me to take a seat and adds, "You came." "Well done."

"Victor, what do you want?" I ask without making an effort to be polite. "What are you doing?"

He studies me, leaning back in his chair. "Because you are entitled to the truth." Ivy, Griffin is not who you believe him to be. He has been hiding things from you. Dangerous ones.

"Like what?" I insist.

There is no comedy in Victor's smirk. For example, he has been using his business as a front for something far more sinister. And he's rushing to hide in his tracks now that the board has him.

I don't believe it and shake my head. "You're telling lies."

"Am I?" Victor speaks softly as he leans forward. "Consider it, Ivy. Thelate evenings. The details. How he has been excluding you. Are you certain that's simply stress?

I turn my head away, unwilling to look him in the eye since his comments are too personal.

Victor goes on, "You don't have to believe me." But you have to start asking the correct questions if you want to protect both your brother and yourself. Before it is too late.

He puts a folded piece of paper on the table in front of me before I can reply. "This is it. Think of it as a place to start.

Without saying anything else, he walks away, leaving me to stare at the page with shaking palms. I eventually open it to see an address written in Victor's exact handwriting.

Once more, my phone buzzes, and it's Griffin. Even if the message is brief, it makes me shudder.

You're where?