Chapter 203: The Lie That Worked
Twenty minutes later, Liam helped Ayla into the back of a black SUV, surrounded by four intimidating guards in dark suits, eyes scanning the parking lot like hawks.
"This seems a bit much," Ayla whispered to Liam.
"Zayden doesn’t do anything halfway," Liam responded, fastening her seatbelt before sliding in next to her.
The convoy started moving, with two SUVs and Liam and Ayla in the middle one, flanked by their security team.
The man from the hospital drove out of his own car and parked three rows back. He waited until the SUVs turned onto the main road before starting his engine, keeping a safe distance.
His phone was set up on the dashboard, and the tracking app was already active. He had slipped a small GPS tracker under the rear bumper of the middle SUV while everyone was focused on Ayla.
As the convoy wound through the streets toward the fancier neighborhoods on the outskirts, the man stayed back but kept his sights locked on his target.
Thirty minutes later, the SUVs turned onto a private road, passing through huge iron gates with a fancy "V" insignia. The man pulled over before reaching the gates, knowing he couldn’t follow any further without being spotted.
But he had seen enough.
He whipped out his phone and typed quickly.
"Target and boyfriend just arrived at a secured property. Lots of security, at least eight guards visible, probably more. This place is the Virelli estate. Checked public records: it’s registered to Zayden Cole Virelli, the eldest son of the Virelli family. Big deal in the tech scene with a bunch of businesses. This mansion is his main home." He hit send and waited.
The response came quickly: "So, it makes sense now why the target’s details were hard to find. She’s connected to the Virelli family. That level of protection and privacy explains the scrubbed records and lack of info out there."
The man tucked his phone away, taking one last look at the imposing gates before starting his car. His job was done. He had found what he was paid to find.
*****
Alexander was hanging out in his study, with the afternoon sun streaming through the windows. His laptop was open, but it didn’t get any attention since he was completely focused on his phone.
He went through the messages again, piecing things together.
Ayla Monroe. Boyfriend. Virelli mansion. Heavy security. Zayden Cole Virelli.
He drummed his fingers on the armrest of his chair, thinking about what it all meant.
So that’s why her profile is all hidden, he figured. She’s either related to the Virellis or has some serious connection to them.
It made total sense. The Virelli family was known for being super private and protective. If Ayla Monroe was dating someone linked to them or was tied in some way, either by family or business, it would make sense for her info to be wiped clean. Clearly, she’d be tough to track down.
The Virellis had the money, the contacts, and the power to make someone basically disappear from the digital world if they wanted.
Alexander felt his tension fade away, replaced by a wave of relief that was almost overwhelming.
Thank God, he thought, closing his eyes for a moment. Thank God, She wasn’t that Ayla. She wasn’t Marcus’s daughter.
The timing had just been a coincidence: a Turkish girl, same age, same field of study. But that was all it was, a coincidence. The world’s full of those.
This Ayla Monroe was just a girl connected to a powerful family. Nothing about his past; nothing to do with Marcus Alston; nothing linked to the secrets buried long ago in Turkish soil.
Emma’s new friend was exactly who she appeared to be—just a friend. Nothing more. Nothing dangerous.
Alexander picked up his phone and shot a quick message to his contact: "Makes sense. End surveillance. Send final report and invoice."
He got an immediate reply: "Understood. Closing file."
Alexander set the phone down and leaned back in his chair, taking a moment to genuinely relax.
Crisis averted. Paranoia unfounded. Emma was safe. His secrets were safe.
Everything was good.
Completely unaware of him, miles away in the Virelli mansion, Zayden and Aylin were in Zayden’s office, keeping an eye on the security feeds that had picked up the tail from the hospital.
"He bought it," Aylin said, watching the man’s car pull away from the gates on the screen.
"Of course he did," Zayden replied, a small smile on his face. "You put out exactly the info he’d expect to find: a hidden profile, a strong family connection, and a reasonable excuse for the security and privacy. He’s seeing what he wants to see."
"What he really needs to get," Aylin corrected. "If he had kept probing, if he had gotten curious enough to dig deeper..."
"He didn’t," Zayden assured her. "And I doubt he will. To Alexander Kane, Ayla Monroe is just another wealthy girl with connections. Case closed."
Aylin nodded but couldn’t shake the slight tremble in her hands. "We got lucky."
"We were smart," Zayden replied. "There’s a big difference."
On another screen, they could see Liam helping Ayla out of the SUV, steadying her as she walked slowly towards the mansion entrance.
"How’s she really doing?" Zayden asked, his tone softening.
"Physically? She’ll bounce back. The doctor’s orders are strict but manageable." Aylin’s expression turned serious. "Emotionally? That’s going to take a while."
"We’ll give her the time she needs."
Aylin faced him completely. "Thanks for everything. The security, the room, letting her stay here where it’s safe."
"She’s your sister," Zayden said simply. "That makes her family. And we look out for family."
Aylin managed a small smile, but worry still lingered in her golden-brown eyes. "Think he’ll really stop looking? Or is this just a temporary break?"
"Honestly?" Zayden paused to think. "I believe as long as Ayla stays out of his line of sight and doesn’t do anything to set off his paranoia again, he’ll leave it alone. He’s got his explanation and his peace of mind. People like Alexander Kane usually don’t keep digging once they feel satisfied with the answers they’ve found."
"And if we’re wrong?"
"Then we handle it," Zayden said firmly. "But for now, your sister is safe, our cover story worked, and Alexander Kane thinks he knows the truth. That’s three wins for us."
Aylin nodded, taking a deep breath. "Okay, three wins."
"Now go," Zayden said gently. "Ayla needs you. Make sure she actually takes it easy instead of trying to prove she’s okay."
"Sounds like something I’d do," Aylin muttered.
"Exactly. That’s why you’re the best person to keep her from doing it."
As Aylin left to check on her sister, Zayden stayed in his office, focused on the security feeds. The man’s car was long gone, merging back into the city traffic.
Their plan had worked, at least for now.
But Zayden didn’t survive in his world by thinking success would last forever. He made a mental note to tighten up security, have his tech team keep an eye out for any renewed interest from Alexander Kane’s crew, and to always stay three steps ahead.
Because the game wasn’t over, it was just entering a new Chapter.
In this new Chapter, they had one key advantage: Alexander Kane thought he had won.
Nothing was more dangerous than an opponent who believed the threat was gone.
