Chapter 4 - The Hunt For Claire
By nightfall, Vincent had mobilized every resource his billions could buy. He summoned his chief of corporate security, Marcus Kane, an ex-federal agent who specialized in finding high-profile assets. Kane stood inside Vincent’s private study, reviewing the thin folder on Claire’s financial trail.
"What do you mean she hasn't used her cards?" Vincent demanded, pacing back and forth in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass of untouched scotch sweating on his desk. "She has an unlimited Black Card tied to my primary checking account! She has lines of credit at every luxury department store in Chicago!"
"She left all of them on the kitchen island, Mr. Moretti," Kane answered steadily, unbothered by his boss's frantic energy. "Her passport is still in the home safe. Her vehicle—the Range Rover you bought her last Christmas—remains parked in the underground garage with the keys on the dashboard. She didn't call an Uber. She walked two blocks to the red line subway station and purchased a cash transit card. From there, she effectively vanished off the grid."
"A subway?" Vincent’s voice cracked. "She took a subway in the middle of winter while... while she's pregnant?"
Kane raised an eyebrow slightly, noting the raw agony in the billionaire’s demeanor. "We contacted Dr. Evans at Northwestern Memorial. Due to HIPAA regulations, they refused to share her records until our legal department exerted pressure. The clinic confirmed Mrs. Moretti canceled all future prenatal appointments this morning. She transferred her medical history to an undisclosed, private provider out of state."
Vincent felt the room tilt. "Find her, Kane. Hire every private investigator between here and Miami. Tap into security feeds, cross-reference hotel registries, track down her college friends. I don't care if it costs ten million dollars a day. I want my wife found!"
"And what about Mr. Vance?" Kane asked. "Her attorney called your legal department an hour ago. He said if you attempt to harass, stalk, or track Mrs. Moretti, he will file an emergency restraining order that will be made public within the hour. Given the pending IPO of your logistics subsidiary, a public scandal alleging domestic abandonment of a pregnant spouse could tank your stock by twenty percent before market open."
"I don't give a damn about the stock!" Vincent screamed, sweeping an antique bronze paperweight off his desk. It smashed against the wall, gouging the dark wood. "She is carrying my baby! She has no money! How is she going to eat? Where is she sleeping tonight?"
The study door swung open, and Sophia stepped inside, holding a stack of press releases. She wore a sleek cocktail dress, clearly irritated by the chaotic evening.
"Vincent, this is getting ridiculous," Sophia sighed, waving her hand dismissively at Kane. "Your board members are texting me non-stop. The gossip columnists are already asking why you skipped the gala tonight. Why are you wasting corporate security on a woman who clearly abandoned you? If she doesn't want your money, consider yourself lucky! Sign the papers, let her have whatever quiet life she wants, and we can announce our relationship properly."
Vincent slowly turned his head to look at Sophia.
For months, he had convinced himself that Sophia’s ambition, her sharp edge, and her constant flattery were what he needed to stay sharp. But looking at her now, standing in the middle of his study while his pregnant wife was wandering the cold city alone, all he saw was a calculating, cold parasite.
"Sophia," Vincent said, his voice terrifyingly quiet.
"Yes, darling?" she smiled, stepping closer, assuming her charms were working again.
"You're fired."
Sophia froze, her jaw dropping. "What? You can't fire me! I’m the head of your public relations strategy! I built your corporate image!"
"Get out of my office," Vincent whispered, his eyes dark with a lethal rage. "Pack your things and leave this building. If I ever see your face near my family or my company again, I will make sure you never find a job in this country even as a receptionist. Kane, escort Miss Reynolds off the property."
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Sophia’s face twisted in shock and humiliation. "You're crazy! She played you, Vincent! She’s nothing without you!"
"No," Vincent whispered as Kane took Sophia firmly by the elbow and led her out the door. "I was nothing without her. And I was too blind to see it."
