AFTERWORD

Chapter 29

28. Alex

Overview

Alex discovers that a devastating exposé about his father's crimes has been leaked to journalists, devastating his family and forcing an immediate choice: travel to New York to execute his plan to seize control of Green Industries, or fly to Paris to be with his traumatized sisters and mother. Evidence on Ophelia's laptop suggests she orchestrated the leak, shattering his trust. Heartbroken and torn between duty and family, Alex chooses to go to New York, leaving Ophelia sleeping and without explanation.

Summary

Alex wakes to find over 130 missed calls and learns his father has physically assaulted his mother, who is now hospitalized. A damaging article about his father's crimes in Scotland has gone public, and his sisters are frightened and calling for help. Mike from Green Industries' tech department reveals the leak came from Ophelia's email and warns Alex that staying in Scotland will sabotage his plan to remove his father from power before rival board member Miller can seize the CEO position. Desperate and conflicted, Alex searches Ophelia's laptops and discovers a recovered document titled "Untitled Document 2"—forty pages of screenshots, emails, texts, and a dying confession transcript created nearly four years ago—confirming her involvement in building a case against his father. The betrayal devastates him. Unable to face Ophelia or delay his takeover plan any longer, Alex calls his sisters in Paris; Fleur tells him his mother is in the hospital and their father pulled a gun on the housekeeper. When Alex says he must go to New York instead, Fleur accuses him of being like their father, choosing power over family, and hangs up. Vincenzo and Belladonna offer to go to Paris in his stead. Alex leaves without waking Ophelia, calls Harwood in a suicidal state, and drives toward Inverness for a flight to New York, consumed by guilt, betrayal, and the feeling that Ophelia has become a noose around his neck.

Characters

  • OpheliaAlex discovers evidence she leaked his father's crimes to journalists; he finds a recovered document on her laptop suggesting her involvement, betraying his trust
  • BancroftRecently deceased; his death mentioned as a victory but eclipsed by the emerging family crisis
  • FleurAlex's sister; calls him in distress, reveals their mother is hospitalized and injured, accuses him of abandoning the family for power
  • MiaAlex's younger sister; texts him expressions of fear and love before the crisis unfolds
  • Élé (Éléanor)Alex's sister; texts about the leaked article and their father's frightening behavior
  • CharlotteAlex's sister; texts that Fleur is hurt and their mother is missing, questions if Ophelia and their father are responsible
  • JosieAlex's young sister (seven years younger than him); cries in the background during Fleur's call, begs him to run away instead
  • EvieAlex's sister; mentioned as usually sending memes but has been suspiciously quiet
  • CainAlex's father; physically assaults his mother, goes M.I.A., poses a threat to the family
  • Alex's motherHospitalized with injuries after being attacked by Cain; appears in paparazzi footage looking traumatized
  • MikeDirector of technology at Green Industries; informs Alex of the leak from Ophelia's email and warns him about rival board member Miller
  • KenzoAlex's closest ally on the Green board; sends him the article about the leaked crimes
  • CarmichaelMentioned as the current authority figure at Green; Kenzo notes he lacks Alex's backing
  • MillerRival board member seeking the CEO position; waiting to capitalize on the crisis
  • Shawn's fatherBoard member Alex has not secured a relationship with
  • VincenzoAlex's close ally; offers to travel to Paris immediately with Belladonna to support Alex's family
  • BelladonnaVincenzo's companion; also offers to travel to Paris to support Alex's family
  • Harwood (Robert)Alex's confidant; remains calm on the phone as Alex expresses suicidal ideation and validates his choice to go to New York
  • The housekeeperFled after Cain pulled a gun on her
  • Alex's lawyersAmong those attempting to contact Alex about the crisis
  • Yale friendsOld acquaintances who texted Alex during the crisis
  • ShawnMentioned only; his father is a board member
  • Charlotte and ÉléanorAlex's sisters; mentioned as having a dance show
  • Alex's psychiatristMentioned only; attended to his mother
  • Alex's mother's psychiatristCalled Alex seven times, indicating crisis severity