transatlantic video conference. His voice was a low, commanding rumble, and the executiv

nst the polished surface of his desk. It was a frantic, i

would never call this line, at this time

rned." He didn't wait for a response before end

voice tight with apprehensi

emotion Richard hadn't heard in years. It wa

I found your daughter. He

ed on its axis. He shot up from his leather chair, the heavy,

, his voice a strained whis

. "She's here, Richard. In my hospital. She

tifle a sound that was half-sob, half-gasp. Twenty-two

back into the role of the patriarch, the protector. "Don't let anyone n

all, red button concealed o

f staff burst into the offi

dered, his voice leaving no room for questions. "And get Eleanor, A

smic shift in his boss's unive

mont family's emergency

ambers, a court recess just beginning. His second son, Sebastian Beaumont, the hardened police detective, was at his desk in a

eneer over a raging sea of emotion. "We found her,

l. It was broken by a collective ga

creetly handed her a phone with an urgent message. Excusing herself with a serene smile that betraye

s shattered. A sob escaped her lips, and she pressed a silk handkerchief to her mouth

s voice firm, a general rallying his troops. "She needs us. E

was immediate

or the next week," Alexander

ng his keys. "Family emergency, cover for

gaphone, "Wrap for the day! Everyone go home!" The entire production gr

amily, an empire that spanned continents and i

. He walked with purpose down the hospital corridor, his white coat a

s public, undignified room. He was going to take her to a place wher

e door, composing his features into the kin