Chapter 6 – Tyler’s Second Performance
Tyler sat across from his father inside the private jet and pretended to sleep.
He had been pretending for seven days.
Pretending not to notice the men following him at school.
Pretending to believe Harrison’s promises about life in Europe.
Pretending that choosing wealth over his mother had not broken something inside him.
Through half-closed eyes, he watched Harrison speak quietly with Victor over a satellite phone.
Victor’s voice was faint but urgent.
“The drive is gone.”
Harrison’s expression did not change.
“And Natalie?”
“She escaped.”
“Then find her.”
“The FBI may already be involved.”
Harrison looked toward Tyler.
Tyler kept his breathing slow.
“The FBI has suspicions,” Harrison said. “They don’t have proof.”
“The card is proof.”
“No. The card is a key. Without Tyler’s biometric authorization, it proves nothing.”
Tyler felt cold despite the blanket covering him.
He had learned about the accounts six weeks earlier.
Harrison had left his office unlocked during a party. Tyler entered looking for a phone charger and heard voices from the adjoining conference room.
Victor had been arguing with Harrison.
The Zurich trustees were demanding Tyler’s signature before his fourteenth birthday. New regulations would soon require independent review of accounts held by minors.
If Tyler refused, the entire network could be frozen.
Harrison had responded calmly.
“He won’t refuse. Children always choose the parent who can offer more.”
Tyler had recorded part of that conversation on his phone.
Afterward, he searched Harrison’s computer and found company registrations, bank records, and photographs of Natalie taken without her knowledge.
He also found a folder labeled CONTINGENCY.
Inside were forged documents showing that Natalie had diverted millions from Tyler’s trust.
Harrison planned to accuse her whether Tyler cooperated or not.
That was when Tyler realized he could not simply warn his mother.
Harrison would know.
Instead, Tyler contacted Agent Reed through an anonymous tip line. Reed replied with instructions, but before they could meet, Harrison took Tyler’s phone.
The custody case began two days later.
Now the jet descended toward Zurich.
Harrison put away his phone.
“You can stop pretending to sleep.”
Tyler opened his eyes.
His father smiled.
“You played your mother very well in court.”
Tyler forced himself to smile back.
“She needed to understand.”
“That emotion makes people weak?”
“Exactly.”
Harrison seemed pleased.
“When this is over, you’ll attend school in Geneva. You’ll meet people who understand what power means.”
“What do I have to do at the bank?”
“Sign a few documents.”
“And then Mom will be safe?”
Harrison’s smile faded slightly.
“Your mother’s future depends entirely on her behavior.”
Tyler looked out the window.
Below them, Switzerland appeared peaceful beneath the morning sun.
He thought of Natalie standing at the airport, trying not to cry.
He had wanted to turn around.
He had wanted to tell her everything.
Instead, he gave her the card and walked away.
Now he had one task left.
He had to delay the signing until Agent Reed found him.
As the plane touched down, Harrison leaned closer.
“Do not embarrass me today.”
Tyler met his eyes.
May you like
“I won’t.”
It was the second lie he had told his father that morning.
