Chapter 3 - The Threat
The Sigma Phi fraternity house was a massive, three-story brick mansion situated on a prestigious tree-lined street just off the Bradley University campus. It looked more like a country club than a student residence, complete with manicured lawns, Greek pillars, and a fleet of luxury sports cars parked in the circular driveway.
Daniel parked his truck a block away. He walked toward the mansion, his hands deep in his pockets, his posture relaxed but his eyes scanning the perimeter like a sniper analyzing a target zone.
He had sent Lily’s phone, along with Marcus’s and Chloe’s devices, to Sam via a secure courier. Now, he needed to keep the pressure on Julian Vance, to keep him panicked, to prevent him from using his family’s immense resources to cover his tracks any further.
Daniel walked up the stone steps of the fraternity house and pushed the heavy oak double doors open.
Inside, the house smelled of stale beer and expensive cologne. A few students were lounging on leather sofas in the grand foyer, watching television. They looked up as Daniel entered. There was something about his stride, the sheer physical presence of him, that instantly silenced the room.
"Where is Julian Vance?" Daniel asked.
A tall, athletic student stood up, trying to look intimidating. "Who’s asking? You can't just walk in here—"
Daniel didn't waste time. He stepped forward, grabbed the student’s wrist, twisted it behind his back with lightning speed, and pressed him down onto a nearby pool table. The student let out a sharp cry of pain.
"I’m not going to ask twice," Daniel said, his voice quiet but carrying a terrifying weight. "Where is Julian?"
"Upstairs! Master suite at the end of the hall!" the student gasped.
Daniel released him, leaving him groaning on the felt table, and headed up the grand staircase. The other students in the room watched him go, none of them daring to make a move.
Daniel reached the end of the second-floor hallway and kicked the door to the master suite open.
The door slammed against the wall. Inside, Julian Vance was sitting at a massive mahogany desk, packing a leather duffel bag. A pile of cash, a passport, and several documents lay on the desk.
Julian spun around, his face turning pale as he recognized Daniel from the hospital parking lot. He immediately reached toward a drawer in his desk.
"Don't do it," Daniel said, his hand resting on the grip of his Sig Sauer under his jacket. "You’re not fast enough."
Julian froze, his hand hovering over the half-open drawer. He slowly raised his hands, a smug, arrogant smirk plastered across his face despite his obvious fear.
"Do you know who my father is, old man?" Julian sneered, trying to project confidence. "You touch me, and your life is over. You’ll spend the rest of your days rotting in a state penitentiary."
Daniel walked into the room, closing the door behind him. He stood in front of the desk, looking down at the packed bag.
"Running away, Julian?" Daniel asked. "Your friends Marcus and Chloe talked. They told me everything. About Toby, the freshman in the coma. About how you beat my daughter because she wouldn't let you cover up your crime."
Julian’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, but he quickly recovered. "Their word against mine. My father’s lawyers will shred their statements before they ever see a courtroom. And as for your daughter... she was trespassing. She fell. It was an accident."
"An accident that broke her jaw in six places?" Daniel’s eyes became incredibly cold, the pupils dilating. "I’ve seen men like you in every war zone I’ve ever been to, Julian. Cowards who hide behind power, behind money, behind other people’s blood. But when the walls close in, you always run."
Julian stood up, trying to assert his height. "You don't have anything. The police won't touch me. The dean won't touch me. You're nothing but a washed-up soldier. Get the hell out of my house."
Daniel stepped closer, the physical aura of his rage filling the room. He grabbed Julian by the tie, pulling him over the desk until their faces were inches apart.
"Listen to me very carefully, boy," Daniel whispered, his voice vibrating with a terrifying intensity. "You are going to face justice for what you did to Lily. If the system won't do it, I will. I am going to dismantle your father's empire piece by piece. I am going to expose every single dirty secret this fraternity has. And when I’m done, there won't be enough money in the world to save you from me."
Julian tried to pull away, but Daniel’s grip was like a steel vice.
"I’m giving you twenty-four hours to turn yourself in," Daniel said. "If you don't, I’m coming back. And I won't be talking next time."
Daniel released him, throwing him back into his leather chair. Julian sat there, gasping for air, his eyes filled with a mixture of rage and genuine, primal terror.
Daniel turned and walked out of the room.
As he reached the lobby, his phone buzzed. It was a text from an unknown number. He opened it.
It was a live-stream video feed of Lily’s hospital room.
The camera was positioned from the hallway, looking through the glass window. A man in a dark suit was standing just outside her door, looking inside.
A second later, a text message followed the video:
Withdraw, Mr. Mercer. Or your daughter won't survive her next surgery.
May you like
Daniel’s heart stopped. The threat was clear. They weren't just protecting Julian; the entire system, the powerful entities behind the Vance family, were now mobilizing to silence him.
Daniel sprinted to his truck, his mind racing. He had to get back to the hospital. Now.
