Chapter 6 - The New Life
Meanwhile, at the Vance estate, life had transformed completely.
The cold, silent halls that had once felt like a mausoleum were now filled with life, warmth, and color. Arthur had completely renovated the west wing of the estate, building a state-of-the-art learning center for Maya, complete with full-time specialized tutors in American Sign Language, lip-reading, art, and music therapy.
Arthur spent every evening at home. He cancelled late-night corporate dinners, delegated routine board tasks to his trusted vice president, and dedicated his life to being a father.
"Look, Arthur!" Maya signed excitedly, sitting at the long kitchen island, showing him a watercolor painting she had just completed.
The painting depicted a large, golden house under a bright blue sky. On the grass stood three figures: a tall man with gray hair, a small girl holding a stuffed fox, and a small golden retriever puppy.
Arthur smiled warmly, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. "It's beautiful, Maya. But where is the puppy?"
Maya giggled silently, pointing toward the heavy mahogany doors leading to the garden.
At that exact moment, the doors burst open, and a twelve-week-old golden retriever puppy came tumbling inside, skidding across the slippery tile floor before pouncing straight onto Arthur’s leather shoes.
Maya clapped her hands in delight, dropping to her knees to play with the puppy.
Briggs stepped into the kitchen, his face unusually stern. He caught Arthur’s eye and gave a subtle nod toward the private study.
Arthur’s smile faded slightly. He tapped Maya’s shoulder, signing: Stay here with Barnaby. I need to talk to Briggs for two minutes.
Maya nodded happily, completely absorbed in rubbing the puppy’s belly.
Inside the study, Arthur closed the heavy wooden door. "What is it, Briggs?"
Briggs handed Arthur a tablet displaying live security feeds from the perimeter estate gates. "Our outer thermal sensors picked up three unidentified vehicles idling near the north forest perimeter twenty minutes ago. They aren't local law enforcement, and they aren't news crews."
Arthur’s jaw tightened. "Julian Sterling?"
"He's getting desperate, sir," Briggs said grimly. "The grand jury summons was issued yesterday. Sterling knows that once Maya delivers her deposition under oath next week, his bail will be revoked and he will spend the rest of his life in a federal penitentiary."
Arthur walked over to his desk, opening the top drawer to reveal a sleek silver hand-gun resting inside a biometric lockbox. He closed his fingers over the handle.
"Increase the perimeter security guards from six to twelve," Arthur commanded flatly. "I want full drone coverage over the forest boundary. If a single soul steps onto this property without my personal authorization, put them down."
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"Understood, sir," Briggs replied, turning to leave.
As Arthur stood alone in the study, looking out the dark window at the dense woods surrounding his estate, a cold chill ran down his spine. He had spent his whole life fighting corporate battles with contracts and stocks. But now, he was fighting for the life of his daughter—and he was willing to burn his entire empire to the ground to keep her safe.
