An unknown number.
A message appeared, along with a photograph—Ethan crouched beside one of the boys, Clara just behind him, the others gathered close.
The angle felt intrusive, almost stolen.
Beneath it, a single line appeared:
Secret family of billionaire CEO. How much is silence worth?
Ethan’s body went still.
Clara noticed immediately.
“What happened?”
He turned the screen toward her.
The strength she had been holding together nearly cracked.
Her hand moved instinctively to her son’s shoulder.
“They’re children…”
Ethan’s voice lowered, becoming firm in a way that left no room for negotiation.
“And someone just made the mistake of forgetting that.”
The World Starts Watching
By the next morning, everything had changed.
