Chapter 110
No.1
Two days later, the massive engines of a Gulfstream G650 screamed as the private jet touched down on the icy runway of the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport in Colorado.
Elisa stepped out of the cabin and descended the metal stairs. She wore a thick, black cashmere turtleneck and a long, tailored wool trench coat.She pulled a simple black carry-on suitcase behind her.
She was here under the official capacity of Aethel Intelligence. Aethel was the primary sponsor of a joint Al medical symposium hosted by the JHU clinical team in Aspen.
Alastair had been furious she was going alone, but just before takeoff, his chief of security had burst into the hangar. Aethel's core servers were under a sustained, sophisticated cyberattack from an unknown, state-level entity. The assault was so complex that Alastair had to remain in the New York command center to personally direct the defense.He had doubled her tactical security detail and sworn to fly to Aspen the second the digital war was won, leaving Elisa to navigate the hostile
territory entirely alone for the first forty-eight hours.
A massive, black Cadillac Escalade idled near the edge of the tarmac. A driver in a heavy winter parka stood beside it, holding a digital tablet that read:Dr.Wilder (Faye).
Elisa approached the vehicle. She handed her bag to the driver and climbed into the heated back seat.
No.2
As the Escalade navigated the winding mountain roads, Elisa stared out the tinted windows. The Rocky Mountains were buried under feet of pristine white snow. The landscape was breathtakingly beautiful, but to Elisa, it felt like a massive, frozen cage.
She noticed the route. The vehicle was not heading toward the St. Regis or The Little Nell, the luxury hotels where the symposium was officially being held.
Instead, the Escalade turned off the main highway.It began climbing a steep, private access road heavily lined with towering, snow-covered pine trees.
Ten minutes later, the trees cleared. The vehicle pulled up to a jaw-dropping,three-story modern chalet. The architecture was a brutalist mix of dark
timber and massive, floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the valley.
Elisa's stomach instantly tightened. She recognized the security detail. Four men in black tactical winter gear stood near the entrance. They were Chambers family private security.
Before Elisa could demand the driver turn around,the heavy oak front door of the chalet swung open.
No.3
Simon stepped out onto the snow-covered porch.He wore a gray cashmere sweater, looking entirely too comfortable.
The driver opened Elisa's door. She stepped out,the freezing mountain air biting at her cheeks.
Simon walked down the steps and politely took her suitcase from the driver.
"Welcome to Aspen, Miss Wilder," Simon said smoothly. "Since Aethel Intelligence so generously sponsored the symposium, Mr. Chambers felt it was only appropriate to host the core JHU medical team here at the family's private estate."
Elisa's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. Her brain processed the trap instantly. August had used the corporate sponsorship as a flawless excuse to legally and socially isolate her on his private
property.
"I am staying at the hotel in town," Elisa stated coldly. She turned around, reaching for the door handle of the Escalade.①
No.4
Two of the massive bodyguards immediately stepped forward. They didn't draw weapons, but they positioned their bodies like solid brick walls between Elisa and the vehicle.
Simon let out a polite, apologetic sigh. "I am afraid that is impossible. As the primary sponsor, I'm sure you understand the need for enhanced security.Mr.Chambers has upgraded the entire symposium to a Level Four security protocol. All official attendees,including the entire JHU team, are required to stay on this estate. We will be transporting everyone to the conference venue in secured convoys. Anyone who does not comply will have their access credentials immediately revoked to protect the integrity of the intellectual property being discussed."③
Simon took a step closer, lowering his voice."Furthermore, the entire JHU team is already inside. If the lead Aethel represetative suddenly refuses the host's hospitality and flees, it will cause a massive professional scandal. It would look very...unstable."
Elisa locked her jaw. August had checkmated her using her own professional obligations. If she threw a tantrum and ran into the snow, she would validate the "crazy woman" narrative he had been spinning.
She took a slow, deep breath, suppressing the violent urge to punch Simon in the throat. She turned and marched up the wooden steps,entering the chalet.
The interior was suffocatingly luxurious. A massive stone fireplace roared in the center of the grand living room. The air smelled of burning pine and cinnamon.
Elisa saw several doctors from the JHU team,including Dr. Finch, lounging on the leather sofas.When they saw her walk in, a palpable wave of tension shot through the group. They instantly sat up straighter, their conversations ceasing mid-sentence. They looked like terrified students whose notoriously strict professor had just entered the room. They offered stiff, panicked nods of greeting before quickly averting their eyes, suddenly finding the burning logs in the fireplace fascinating. The air became thick with their fear and the awkwardness of the forced proximity.
No.5
Simon guided her past the living room and up a floating glass staircase to the second floor.He led
her down a long, carpeted hallway to the heavy wooden door at the very end.
Simon pulled a black electronic keycard from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Your suite, Madam," Simon murmured,intentionally using the title she despised. He bowed his head slightly and walked away.
Elisa gripped the keycard. She swiped it against the lock. The light flashed green, and she pushed the door open.
The suite was massive. A wall of glass'provided a panoramic view of the darkening,snow-covered mountains.
But as Elisa stepped into the room,her blood instantly turned to ice.
No.6
In the center of the room sat a massive, king-size bed.
Draped casually over the velvet sofa at the foot of the bed was a heavy, dark gray men's overcoat.Next to it, resting on a luggage rack, was a custom leather duffel bag stamped with the gold Chambers family crest.
The sound of running water suddenly stopped.
The frosted glass door of the en-suite bathroom clicked open.
August Chambers stepped out into the bedroom.
His dark hair was wet, water droplets trailing down his neck and over his heavily muscled chest.He was wearing nothing but a white towel slung low around his waist. He held a glass of amber whiskey in his right hand.
August stopped. He looked at Elisa standing frozen in the doorway, her eyes wide with absolute,horrified realization.
No.7
A slow, dark, predatory smile spread across August's face. He raised his whiskey glass in a mocking toast.
"I trust Simon found you suitable accommodations?" August murmured, his voice a low purr of victory. "After all, the Chambers family always takes care of its...associates."