Silas walked beside Diane through the high-end mall, his expression unreadable behind his designer sunglasses. A discreet bodyguard followed a few steps behind them, carrying multiple elegant shopping bags stamped with exclusive brand logos.

Diane’s arm brushed lightly against his as she pointed excitedly toward another boutique. "Oh, Silas, look at that dress in the window! The emerald one would look stunning, don’t you think? It reminds me of the one I wore to the premiere last year."

Silas gave a noncommittal hum. "It’s a dress."

Diane laughed softly, undeterred by his flat tone. She looped her arm through his with gentle persistence. "Come on, you have to give me more than that. I’m trying to build a wardrobe that matches your style. Something sophisticated but not too flashy. What do you think about this necklace?"

She pulled him into a glittering jewelry store. The sales associate immediately recognized Silas and offered them a private viewing. Diane tried on a delicate diamond pendant, turning to show him.

"See? It’s elegant, right? Not too heavy. What do you think? Does it suit me?" She tilted her head, smiling brightly.

Silas glanced at it briefly. "It’s fine."

Diane pouted playfully. "Just ’fine’? Silas, you’re killing me here. I need a real opinion. Would your mother like it? She has such good taste. I want her to approve when she sees us together."

"She’ll approve of anything that keeps me from being single," Silas replied dryly. "Pick whatever you want."

Diane’s smile faltered for a split second, but she recovered quickly. She picked out a matching bracelet and earrings. "These then. They’re beautiful. Thank you for indulging me today. I know you’re busy, but it means a lot that you came."

The bodyguard stepped forward silently to take the new bags. They left the jewelry store and continued walking. Diane linked her arm with his again, chatting animatedly.

"I was thinking we could do this more often," she said. "Not just because your mother wants it. I actually enjoy your company, even when you’re quiet. You’re different from most men I meet in the industry. They’re all talk and ego. You’re... real."

Silas didn’t respond. His mind was elsewhere — on Sylvain’s numb expression that morning, on the way Sylvain had whispered "Have fun" without any emotion.

Diane stopped at another designer store, pulling out a silk shirt. "What about this for you? The dark blue would look incredible with your eyes. Try it on?"

"I don’t need more clothes," Silas said.

"But I want to buy you something," Diane insisted, eyes sparkling. "Please? Just this once. Let me spoil you a little. You always pay for everything. Let me feel like I’m contributing too."

Silas sighed. "Fine. One shirt."

While he tried it on, Diane waited outside the fitting room, chatting with the sales assistant about fabrics and upcoming collections. When Silas emerged, she clapped her hands lightly.

"Perfect! You look incredible. We’re definitely getting that. And maybe these trousers to match?"

The bodyguard added more bags to his growing collection as they left the store.

They continued walking through the mall. Diane leaned closer. "Thank you again for today, Silas. Can we go out for a milkshake and snacks."

Silas’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen, he answered immediately. "What is it?"

Lena’s voice was urgent and tense. "Mr. Vane, there’s been an incident. Leon Vale was kidnapped from the safe house less than an hour ago. Two of our security men are down — one is in critical condition. The attackers were masked and professional. No direct trace yet, but we’re pulling footage now."

Silas’s entire demeanor shifted. The temperature around him seemed to drop. "How the fuck did this happen?"

"We’re still investigating, sir. The boy was taken in a black van. Neighbors reported gunshots. I’ve already increased security around Sylvain and alerted all teams."

Silas’s jaw clenched. "Find him. I don’t care what it takes. Burn every resource. I want Leon back within 24 hours and find out who was stupid enough to touch what’s mine."

He hung up without waiting for a response.

Diane looked concerned. "Silas? Is everything okay? You look furious."

Silas pulled his arm away from hers. "Something came up. I have to go."

"But we still have one more store—" Diane started, looking disappointed.

Silas was already turning away. "Take the car and buy whatever you want. Charge it to my account, the bodyguard will stay with you."

He strode toward the exit without another word, his long strides cutting through the crowd. His mind was already racing and burning with cold rage.

Someone had dared to take Leon and they would pay in blood.

Back at the penthouse, Sylvain was still on the kitchen floor when Silas burst through the door. The look on Silas’s face made Sylvain’s blood run cold.

"Your brother has been taken," he said flatly, voice like sharpened steel. "He was kidnapped from the house, I told you to control your brother Sylvain!"

Sylvain’s head snapped up. For a second, the world seemed to stop. Then a raw, guttural sob tore from his throat.

"No... please, no..." He scrambled forward on his knees, grabbing onto Silas’s trouser leg with desperate hands. "Silas... Silas, please! You have to find him! He’s just a kid — he’s innocent! He doesn’t deserve this! Please, I’m begging you... find Leon. Bring him back. I’ll do anything. Anything you want. Just save my brother!"

Tears poured down Sylvain’s face uncontrollably. He pressed his forehead against Silas’s leg, body shaking violently. "He’s all I have left... please... I can’t lose him. I’ll be better, I’ll never complain again. I’ll sleep in your bed every night without fighting. I’ll cook whatever you want. Just please... find him. Don’t let them hurt him. He must be so scared right now. He’s probably crying for me..."

Silas looked down at him impassively, like he was watching a mildly interesting performance.

Sylvain’s voice cracked as he continued sobbing. "I know you hate me. I know I’m nothing to you. But Leon is innocent. He never did anything wrong. Please... I’m begging you on my knees. Use all your power. Whatever it takes, I’ll pay any price for you to bring Leon back. Just bring him home safe. I can’t... I can’t live if something happens to him because of me."

Silas said nothing. He simply stepped past Sylvain, pulling his leg free from the desperate grip as if shaking off dirt. His shoes clicked against the marble floor as he walked toward the master bedroom without a backward glance.

"Silas!" Sylvain cried out, crawling after him a few steps. "Please! Don’t walk away! He’s my little brother! He’s everything to me! I did all of this for him — the contract, the humiliation, everything! You know that! Help me save him... please... I’m begging you!"

The bedroom door clicked shut behind Silas.

Sylvain collapsed fully onto the floor, curling into a ball as violent sobs wracked his body. "Leon... I’m so sorry... I failed you again. Please hold on. Please be strong. I’ll find you. Somehow... I’ll find you."

Inside the master bedroom, Silas ignored the broken sounds coming from the living area. He removed his suit jacket, tossed it onto a chair, and sat down at the large desk. His laptop opened with a soft chime, his fingers flying across the keyboard, he pulled up encrypted case files — surveillance reports, background checks, underworld contacts.

He scrolled through them methodically, eyes cold and focused. One folder in particular held his attention: Santiago.

He opened the file, staring at the man’s photo and the bold red "UNKNOWN" stamp across it. Silas picked up his phone and dialed Lena.

She answered on the first ring. "Mr. Vane."

"Send me Santiago’s current address," Silas ordered, voice low and dangerous. "The real one. Not the decoy. I want everything we have on him — known associates, recent movements, properties. Cross-reference with the kidnapping timeline. Do it now."

"Yes, sir," Lena replied immediately. "I’ll compile everything and send it over. We’re already pulling CCTV from the area around the safe house. I’ll add that to the file as well."

"Good. Prioritize this. Whoever took Leon is going to regret the day they were born."

Silas ended the call and continued scanning the files. A few minutes later, his phone dinged with a new message from Lena. He opened it. Santiago’s address, along with a detailed report, appeared on the screen.

Silas stared at it for a long moment, then closed the laptop. He stood up, adjusted his sleeves, and walked out of the bedroom.

Sylvain was still lying on the floor near the kitchen, curled up and crying softly, shoulders shaking. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Silas walked past him without stopping, without a single word of comfort or acknowledgment.

"Silas..." Sylvain whispered brokenly, reaching out a weak hand. "Please... my brother..."

Silas gave him a disgusted look and said. "You will better clean yourself up, I will do whatever I can to bring your brother home. Quit whining and wait for me."