STEPHAN
I watched the mansion through the tinted window of my car, my gaze fixed on the familiar estate that had once been my home.
"The jet has landed safely in Paris," Rick said from the driver's seat. "Your father made it."
I gave a silent nod. A second later, my phone rang.
"Dad."
"Son..." His voice came through the speaker, tired but relieved.
"I have done all I can for you," I said quietly. "Just focus on starting over. Your monthly allowance will keep coming, so don't worry about anything."
There was a long pause before he spoke again.
"Thank you... son." I nodded and the call ended, and I slowly lowered the phone.
Sending him away had been the hardest decision I had ever made, but it was necessary.
As long as he remained in the country, he would only become another weakness my enemies could exploit.
More importantly, I needed unrestricted access to this mansion.
If I wanted to find the book before anyone else did, I had to move without hesitation.
