Chapter 4 - Whispers of Danger
The warmth of Daniel’s embrace was still lingering in Ava’s mind when the heavy double doors of the conservatory swung open with a resounding bang.
"Ava! What is the meaning of this?"
Ava pulled back quickly, wiping her tears as Julian Hawthorne marched into the room. He was dressed in a pristine bespoke suit, his face contorted in a mask of arrogant fury. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Daniel, his eyes darting from the dusty restoration tools to the silver compass hanging around Daniel’s neck.
Julian’s face went pale, a sudden flash of pure terror crossing his features before he quickly masked it with a sneer.
"Who is this trash, Ava?" Julian demanded, pointing a finger at Daniel. "And why is he working in my brother’s private sanctuary?"
"He is restoring Nathan’s collection, Julian," Ava said, her voice instantly turning cold and steel-hard. She stepped in front of Daniel, shielding him. "And he is here because I hired him."
"You’re losing your mind," Julian hissed, taking a step closer. His eyes were locked on the compass. "You’ve spent eight years grieving a ghost, and now you’re bringing stray handymen into our family home? This is a security risk. I want him out. Now."
"I don't think so," Daniel said, his voice calm but carrying a dangerous undertone. He stepped up beside Ava, his tall, imposing frame dwarfing Julian. "The lady hired me. And I don't leave a job half-finished."
"Do you know who I am?" Julian spat, his fists clenching. "I could have you blacklisted from every shop in this state by sunset. I could have the police here in five minutes arresting you for trespassing."
"Try it," Ava warned, her eyes flashing. "And I will call a press conference on the front steps of Hawthorne AeroSystems and explain exactly why the CEO of a billion-dollar company is threatened by a furniture restorer."
Julian stared at her, his chest heaving. He realized he had pushed too far. He took a step back, smoothing his tie, though his hands were visibly shaking.
"This isn't over, Ava," Julian muttered, casting one final, venomous look at Daniel’s necklace. "You’re playing with fire. And you’re going to get burned."
As Julian stormed out of the manor, Daniel turned to Ava, his expression grave. "He knows. He recognized the compass."
"Yes," Ava said, her heart pounding. "Julian was the one who pushed Nathan to sign over the military contracts for the new flight-override system. Nathan refused. He said it was too dangerous, that it could be used as a weapon."
Suddenly, Daniel’s cell phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, and his face instantly drained of color.
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"What is it?" Ava asked, panic rising in her chest.
"It’s my neighbor," Daniel whispered, his voice trembling. "He says there are two black SUVs parked outside my workshop in Eastbridge. And... and Lily's school just called. They said a man claiming to be my brother tried to pick her up early."
