The Hale estate did not sleep that night.
Security teams moved through the halls, checking every entrance and window. Outside, additional guards had been stationed along the perimeter, their radios crackling softly in the darkness.
Alexander stood in his study again, reviewing the security reports one by one.
Nothing had been taken.
Nothing had been damaged.
And yet the message had been clear.
Marcus Vance could reach them.
The door opened quietly and Elena stepped inside.
She had changed into a loose sweater, but the exhaustion on her face was impossible to hide.
"You should be asleep," Alexander said without looking up.
Elena crossed the room slowly. "You've said that three times tonight."
"And you ignored it three times."
"I'm worried," she replied simply.
Alexander finally lifted his eyes.
The tension in them had not faded since the incident earlier that night.
"I told you I'll handle it."
Elena leaned against the edge of the desk.
"This isn't just business anymore, Alexander."
He didn't deny it.
Marcus had crossed a line.
Breaking into the Hale estate was not a corporate strategy.
It was a declaration of war.
Alexander closed the file in front of him.
"Daniel was right," he said quietly.
Elena frowned slightly. "About what?"
"Marcus isn't trying to win the company anymore."
Alexander's voice lowered.
"He's trying to break me."
Elena's hand instinctively moved to her stomach again.
Alexander noticed.
His expression softened for a brief moment before hardening again.
"I won't let him touch either of you."
Before Elena could respond, Alexander's phone vibrated on the desk.
A message.
He picked it up.
Unknown number.
Alexander opened it carefully.
Inside was a single photograph.
His expression changed instantly.
"Elena."
Something in his voice made her tense.
"What is it?"
Alexander turned the phone so she could see.
The photo showed a black car parked across the street from the hospital Elena had visited earlier that week.
The timestamp was from that afternoon.
"They were watching you," Alexander said quietly.
Elena's stomach dropped.
"At the hospital?"
Alexander nodded once.
"They've been tracking your movements."
A second message arrived.
Alexander opened it.
This one only had five words.
Next time we get closer.
Elena felt a cold wave of fear run through her.
Alexander's hand tightened around the phone until his knuckles turned white.
Marcus Vance had just made a mistake.
A very big one.
Elena looked at him carefully.
"What are you thinking?"
Alexander's eyes had gone completely cold now.
The calm businessman from earlier that day was gone.
In his place stood something far more dangerous.
"I'm done waiting," he said.
Elena's voice was quiet.
"What does that mean?"
Alexander stood slowly.
"It means Marcus believes he's the one attacking."
He slipped the phone into his pocket.
"But he just reminded me of something."
Elena watched him closely.
"What?"
Alexander looked directly at her.
"In every war," he said calmly,
"the person who strikes first… usually wins."
Elena's heart began to beat faster.
"You're going after him."
Alexander didn't deny it.
"Yes."
"And when?"
Alexander walked toward the door.
His voice was calm.
But final.
"Tonight."
Across the city, Marcus Vance believed he was controlling the game.
He believed Alexander was reacting.
Defending.
Waiting.
But he was wrong.
Because at that exact moment—
Alexander Hale had decided to stop defending…
And start hunting.