1.1 Art and Surveillance
In a high-end gallery known for its contemporary abstract art in London's West End, Alistair Thorne stood before a massive splash-ink painting. The colors were chaotic and expressive, mirroring the turmoil in his heart.
He wasn't looking at the art; his focus was entirely on Lydon's report via his discreet earpiece.
"Tutor, we have found it. All records of Miss Eleanor Vance leaving the Thorne Estate were completely wiped by the Core Algorithm. However, before her adoption, she had one very close Godmother. The lady's name is Isabelle Moreau, and she runs a small independent foundation and serves as a curator here."
"Isabelle Moreau." Alistair repeated the name, his voice icy. He knew Eleanor's nature; she wouldn't seek powerful allies, but an emotional safe haven. This 'Godmother' was undoubtedly her first choice for refuge.
"What is the financial standing of her foundation and gallery?" Alistair inquired.
Lydon hesitated: "Very stable, Tutor. While Ms. Moreau keeps away from high society, she holds a strong reputation in the art world, and her foundation appears to have no conflict with the Thorne family's interests."
"No conflict?" Alistair sneered, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Now, her interests must conflict with mine."
He left the center of the gallery and headed toward the back offices. His pace was measured and lethal, like the arrival of death itself.
1.2 The Crush of Wealth
Isabelle Moreau, an elegant middle-aged woman, was busy discussing a transaction with a collector. She was dressed simply but tastefully, exuding the cool confidence typical of an intellectual.
The coffee cup in her hand nearly slipped when she saw Alistair suddenly appear.
"Mr. Thorne?" Isabelle's complexion changed immediately, but she quickly regained her composure, offering a professional smile. "A pleasure. Are you interested in contemporary art? With all due respect, it's not your usual domain."
"I have no interest in art." Alistair cut her off directly, his tone radiating unquestionable authority. "I am here for Eleanor Vance."
A hint of panic flashed in Isabelle's eyes, but she immediately denied it: "I don't know what you are talking about. Eleanor? She broke contact with me a long time ago. Since she was adopted by the Thorne family, we..."
"Lying is useless." Alistair walked to the desk, casually picking up her financial report.
He didn't read the content; instead, he commanded Lydon: "Lydon, initiate the Thorne Charitable Trust's 'Absolute Acquisition Protocol.' "
Lydon's voice came through the comm: "Tutor, the acquisition of Ms. Isabelle Moreau's gallery and foundation is projected to be finalized within six hours. This may cause minor financial ripples."
"I don't care." Alistair said coldly, dropping the report back onto the desk and fixing his eyes on Isabelle. "Six hours. Ms. Moreau, you will lose all your art, all your reputation, and your foundation will become a subsidiary of the Thorne family. You will have nothing."
1.3 The Choice of Affection or Betrayal
Isabelle's face went completely white; her breathing became shallow. She knew Alistair Thorne's power was unstoppable.
"You can't do this! It's illegal! My foundation is dedicated to protecting abandoned art. It benefits society!" Isabelle attempted to fight back with morality.
"Legality is only determined by the price I pay." Alistair mocked. "Tell me where Eleanor is. You will receive a Thorne Family Lifetime Protection Trust, your foundation and gallery will receive ten times the funding, and your reputation will remain intact, perhaps even higher."
This was a pure transaction of power, devoid of emotion. Alistair was using the things she cherished most to coerce her, forcing her choice.
Isabelle closed her eyes, tears welling up. She remembered Eleanor's desperate look when she left. Eleanor had told her Alistair was her only salvation, but she had to leave so Alistair could have true freedom.
"Where did she go?" Alistair's patience was wearing thin.
Isabelle opened her eyes painfully, staring at Alistair with anger and agony.
"I won't betray her! She... she has suffered too much. Let her go, Alistair!"
Alistair reached out, in his characteristic Tutor's gesture, and gently smoothed a crease on Isabelle's collar. The movement was filled with suffocating possessiveness.
"I give you five minutes to consider. After five minutes, Lydon will commence the operation." Alistair turned and walked toward the gallery exit. "I will let her know just how fragile the people she trusts are against my absolute power."
1.4 Collapse and Clue
Alistair stood in the shadows outside the gallery for exactly four minutes.
As Lydon prepared to execute the command, Isabelle rushed out, her eyes streaming with tears of desperation.
"Wait! Mr. Thorne! Please, don't destroy everything I have!" Isabelle had completely broken down; her composure and confidence were shattered by Alistair's absolute power.
"Where is she?" Alistair's tone was devoid of any emotion.
Isabelle sobbed in agony: "I don't know where she is now, but she left me a message. She told me if anyone came looking for her under the name 'Tutor,' I should check the 'Tears of the Virgin Mary'… I know what it is. It's a shard of glass she found in an old church when she was a child. She used to say it was her only treasure."
"A church?" Alistair's eyes instantly sharpened. He had not expected Eleanor to leave such a religious, emotionally charged clue. This betrayed everything he had taught her.
"The address." Alistair held out his hand.
Isabelle took out her phone, trembling as she typed in an address—an ancient, abandoned church located on the coast of Normandy, France.
"Now," Isabelle pleaded, "Please, honor your promise…"
Alistair didn't even glance at her. He commanded Lydon directly: "Fund Ms. Isabelle Moreau's foundation ten times over. Tell her this is her reward for her loyalty to the Tutor."
He hadn't given her the Protection Trust; instead, he gave her ten times the fortune. This was Alistair's signature move: using extreme favor to ensure absolute obedience.
He boarded the waiting helicopter on the street, a new fire ignited in his heart. The clue Eleanor left proved she knew he would come for her; she was playing a dangerous game of pursuit with him.
Author's Note:
Thank you for your continued readership and dedication to the consistent quality of this novel. Alistair's pursuit has escalated; he is now using the entire Thorne family fortune and power to cast an absolute net for Eleanor. In the next chapter, we follow Alistair to Normandy to uncover the secret behind the "Tears of the Virgin Mary"!
By: KHChing