Derek returned to Blacktower looking completely haggard.
But the moment he stepped out of his car, Leroy hurried over. "Sir, Finch is gone."
Derek froze.
His breath hitched as the news sank in.
"What happened?"
"Today the Madam... no, Adelle claimed he was dead. But when the men went in to move the body, they were attacked."
Ever since the paternity test results came out, Derek had forbidden anyone on the premises from referring to Adelle as Madam.
Hearing Leroy's report, Derek's expression turned exceedingly grim.
His grip on his cane tightened relentlessly until his hand began to tremble.
"Call Dan immediately," he ordered coldly. "Tell him to return right away."
Dan.
Whenever a crisis struck now, Derek's first instinct was to rely on his biological son.
Over the past two days, Lacey had been stripping the Black Gate of its assets like a woman possessed.
All the assets Derek had once been reluctant to hand over to Dan...
...he had reclaimed from Finch and immediately transferred to Dan.
As for the properties Lacey had pillaged?
He didn't care. They were destined for Susanna anyway. One was his son, the other his daughter.
It didn't matter who took what.
It was his way of compensating them.
Leroy's expression stiffened at the command. "But young master Dan has already left for Ferrowland."
"What?"
Hearing that Dan had gone to Ferrowland, Derek's face fell.
Why on earth would he go to Ferrowland at a critical time like this?
Did he have any idea what Lacey was doing?
Truthfully, Derek was still somewhat reluctant to let Lacey take full control of the Black Gate.
And the reason was Elliot.
A man who was years younger than her! Derek had no idea what she even saw in that punk.
If she were willing to leave Elliot, he wouldn't mind letting her take over the empire.
But with Elliot in the picture, it was unacceptable.
"I believe he went to look for Ms. Quinn," Leroy supplied thoughtfully.
Learning that Dan was seeking out Yvonne deepened Derek's scowl.
"That reckless boy. Yvonne is already with Xander. What exactly does he think he's going to accomplish?"
Leroy paused.
It was true. Yvonne was with Xander now, and they even had a child together.
Yet, Dan...
"He probably hasn't been able to let her go. After all, leaving Ms. Quinn back then wasn't by choice."
Derek remained silent.
The phrase 'wasn't by choice' sent a sharp pang through his chest.
He knew better than anyone what Dan had endured during those years.
But that was still no excuse for abandoning Litamark when he was needed most.
Until Lacey kicked Elliot to the curb, they had far too much to deal with on this front.
Derek made his way down to the underground holding cells.
Adelle had lost every ounce of her former glamour, and Ivanna and Leanne were equally disheveled.
Spotting Derek, the three women frantically scrambled to the iron bars.
Adelle wept beautifully, tears
streaming down her face. Det
how could you do this to me? you completely forgotten alfour years together?"
"She's right, Dad! You can't treat us like this. We're your children too,"
Leanne sobbed alongside her.
"I know I was wrong. Dad, I really
I shouldn't have teamed up with
vanna to
go after Susantanet
know we messed up."
"Just let us out. We'll be good sisters to Susanna, I swear."
"Shut up," Ivanna hissed.
Furious at Leanne's spineless pleading, she roared in anger.
"You shut up!" Leanne shot back. "This
r fault! You draggedet
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