The Bug Inside His Tie

Chapter 3 - What Andrew Wanted

Andrew denied everything.

At first.

Victor had him brought into the dining room.

"What's this?"

He placed the listening device on the table.

Andrew looked at it.

Then laughed.

"How would I know?"

Victor added the other four.

Andrew's smile faded.

Marcus placed security photographs beside them.

One showed the tailor entering through a side entrance.

Another showed Andrew meeting the same man two nights earlier.

Andrew looked up.

"This proves nothing."

Victor remained calm.

"Then explain the meeting."

"He's a tailor."

"In a parking garage at midnight?"

Silence.

Elena stood near the doorway with Lily.

Victor had told her she could leave.

She chose to stay.

Andrew noticed them.

His eyes moved toward Lily.

Something ugly appeared in his expression.

"That little brat ruined everything."

Victor stood so quickly the chair struck the floor behind him.

"Don't look at her."

Andrew leaned back.

"There. That's the real problem."

"What?"

"You trust strangers more than family."

Victor laughed once.

"Family doesn't hide microphones in my house."

Andrew's face hardened.

For years, the brothers had competed.

Their father, Charles Hale, founded Hale Meridian, one of the largest private investment groups in the region.

When he died, Victor inherited controlling authority.

Andrew received money.

Properties.

Shares.

But not control.

He never forgave it.

"Father gave you everything."

"No. He gave me responsibility."

"He gave you power."

Andrew stood.

"I built half that company."

"You sold half your shares to cover gambling debts."

Andrew's eyes flashed.

Victor finally understood.

This wasn't simply corporate espionage.

Andrew needed money.

A lot of it.

Marcus placed another file on the table.

"We checked the tailor."

His real name was Samuel Kent.

He was not a tailor.

He worked for Mercer Strategies.

A private corporate intelligence firm.

Victor knew the name.

Mercer represented his largest competitor.

Andrew had been selling information.

Board discussions.

Acquisition plans.

Investor negotiations.

Anything that could weaken Hale Meridian.

"How much?" Victor asked.

Andrew said nothing.

Marcus answered.

"At least four million."

Elena covered her mouth.

Victor looked at his brother.

"You sold our company."

Andrew smiled bitterly.

"Our company?"

He pointed toward Victor.

"It stopped being ours when Dad chose you."

Victor stared at him.

Then Marcus's phone rang.

He answered.

His expression changed.

"There's more."

Someone had also been recording Victor's bedroom.

Victor's face went cold.

Not because of business.

Because that room contained conversations he never wanted sold.

Including conversations with Elena.