Chapter 38 The Chess Master’s Move

Chapter 38 The Chess Master’s Move
Two days had passed since the lights went out at Roosevelt Manor. To the outside world, it had become the scandal of the century. News channels were filled with clips of federal agents carrying boxes of evidence out of the company headquarters, along with emotional interviews of Isabella Vanderbilt talking about “corporate betrayal.”

But inside the high-security wing of the federal detention center, everything was quiet.

Mikael Roosevelt sat on his cot, leaning against the cold wall. He was reading a book—a thick biography about a Roman emperor. He looked strangely calm for someone whose money had been frozen and whose name had been ruined. He had already showered, his hair neatly combed, and even in an orange jumpsuit, he carried himself like a man in control.

The heavy steel door at the end of the hallway buzzed. A guard walked toward Mikael’s cell, avoiding eye contact. Even locked up, Mikael made people uneasy.

“Roosevelt. You have a visitor. Legal counsel,” the guard said as he unlocked the door.

Mikael stood up slowly, closing his book and placing it neatly on the small shelf. He followed the guard through the clean, empty hallways until they reached the glass-partitioned visitation room.

On the other side of the glass sat a man in a simple suit, wearing a baseball cap pulled low over his face. When he looked up, bruises were still visible—dark marks left from the chaos at the gala. It was Silas.

Mikael sat down and picked up the phone. Silas did the same.

“You’re late,” Mikael said casually, like this was just another meeting.

“The FBI has been watching everyone connected to you, sir,” Silas replied quietly. “I had to switch cars three times and move through two safe houses just to get here without being followed. They’re looking for me almost as much as they’re looking for you.”

Mikael gave a small nod, his face unreadable. “And? What’s the update?”

Silas exhaled, clearly frustrated. “We checked the entire coastline. My men searched every property from the manor to the northern border. There’s no sign of Lyara or her mother. Eleanor’s team covered their tracks well. They didn’t use company vehicles, and they avoided every toll camera.”

“My mother always had a talent for planning,” Mikael said calmly, almost impressed. “And what is she doing now?”

“She’s back at the manor,” Silas answered, gripping the phone tighter. “She’s taken over your office. She’s already meeting with the Board of Directors. Isabella Vanderbilt is there every day. They’re reorganizing the company. They’re calling it a ‘cleansing.’ They’re removing everyone loyal to you.”

Mikael let out a quiet, dry laugh. “They think they can weaken a lion by rearranging its den. Let them believe they’re in control. It will make them careless.”

“But sir, the girl,” Silas pressed. “If we don’t find her soon, she might leave the country. Eleanor has connections in Europe. If she gets Lyara on a private flight, we lose her.”

Mikael leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Silas. There was no fear in them—only a cold stillness.

“They won’t leave yet,” Mikael said. “Lyara’s mother is too weak for a long flight, and Eleanor knows a pregnant woman in that condition is a risk on a plane. They’re hiding. Waiting for things to quiet down.”

“So what do we do?” Silas asked. “The police are trying to find her too. If they get to her first, she’ll testify against you. Your lawyers are good, but they can’t fight her statement.”

Mikael shifted slightly, moving with calm control even in handcuffs. “The police won’t find her. They’re looking for a victim. They follow rules. We don’t.”

He paused, then a slow, dangerous smile spread across his face.

“I’ve had two days in this cell to think, Silas,” he said. “To understand how Eleanor thinks. She used Isabella’s anger and Lyara’s desperation perfectly. But she forgot one thing.”

“What’s that, sir?”

“She forgot I have a weapon she can’t control.”

Mikael leaned closer to the glass, his voice lowering into a quiet tone that sent chills down Silas’s spine.

“She thinks she can hide Lyara behind silence. But there’s one person who can find her. Someone just as obsessed as I am. Someone who’s been locked away because of her.”

Silas frowned at first, then his eyes widened in realization.

“You don’t mean…”

“He’s been quiet for a long time, hasn’t he?” Mikael said. “Locked in that facility I paid for. People think he’s missing… or dead. But men like him don’t break. They wait.”

“Sir, that’s dangerous,” Silas whispered. “He hates you as much as he wants her. If you release him, he might come after you too.”

“He can try,” Mikael said dismissively. “Right now, we want the same thing. He wants her. I want her. And he understands her better than anyone. He knows how she thinks. He knows where she would run when she’s truly scared.”

Mikael tapped his fingers lightly against the glass.

“I want you to go to the facility. Use the override codes. Bring him to the second safe house. Give him a car, money, and a photo of the coastline we suspect. Tell him if he brings her to me, he lives. If he tries to keep her… I’ll put him back in the hole he came from.”

Silas swallowed, his tension obvious. He knew exactly who Mikael was talking about. Bringing that man back meant chaos.

“Are you sure about this, sir?” Silas asked carefully.

“I’ve never been more certain,” Mikael replied. “My mother thinks she’s playing chess. I’m playing something else.”

He leaned back, his eyes cold again.

“Call him, Silas. Tell him it’s time.”

Silas nodded slowly, his hand slightly shaking as he put the phone down. He stood up and walked out without another word.

Mikael stayed seated for a moment, staring at his reflection in the glass. He didn’t see a prisoner.

As he walked back to his cell, Mikael thought about the name he had just given.

“Jacob,” he whispered under his breath.

The name felt heavy.

Jacob. The boy who once tried to be a hero.

Mikael knew using him was a risk. But it was also the perfect move. Lyara would never expect it. She believed Jacob was gone—broken, forgotten. She didn’t know what he had become after everything Mikael had done to him.

Back in his cell, Mikael picked up his book again and turned the page.

He was calm. Completely steady.

Because somewhere out there, in the darkness, the hunt had finally begun.

And this time, he wasn’t the only monster chasing her.