Chapter 2
The Architecture of Revenge Christopher didn’t sleep that night. Instead he sat in Martin’s study, surrounded by evidence of his family’s betrayal, methodically planning their destruction.
By dawn, he had filled three legal pads with notes, strategies and contingencies. You look like hell, Martin said, entering with coffee and breakfast. I feel reborn, Christopher replied, his voice eerily calm.
For the first time in months, everything makes sense. Ashley’s sudden interest in my business meetings. The kids’ new attitudes, their requests for more independence.
Even Andre’s convenient arrival in Chicago, it was all orchestrated. Martin held a coldness that Martin hadn’t seen since their father’s funeral 20 years ago. When Christopher had sworn to destroy the lone sharks who had driven their father to suicide, what’s the plan? Christopher stood and walked to Martin’s whiteboard, where he’d been sketching diagrams throughout the night.
Phase 1. Gathering Intelligence I need to know everything about Andre Travis, his weaknesses, his fears, his pressure points. I need to understand exactly what they’ve taken from me, and what they’re planning to do with it. Already on it, I’ve got contacts in Seattle, running deep background checks, financial records, personal relationships, business dealings, everything.
Good. Phase 2. Establishing Control I’m going to let them think they’re winning while I position all the pieces. Ashley and the kids need to believe I’m completely oblivious to their betrayal.
Christopher drew a series of interconnected circles on the whiteboard, labeling them with names and relationships. Phase 3. The Revelation When I’m ready to move, I want them to understand exactly what they’ve done and exactly what it’s going to cost them. Martin studied the diagram.
And Phase 4. Christopher’s smile was purely predatory. Phase 4 is where they learn that some lines should never be crossed. Over the next three days Christopher played the role of the loving husband and father with Oscar-worthy precision.
He returned home Sunday evening with gifts for everyone. A designer handbag for Ashley, the latest gaming system for Brandon, and professional art supplies for Rachel. Daddy, Rachel threw her arms around him, her performance equally convincing.
We missed you so much. I missed you too sweetheart, Christopher replied, hugging her tightly, while mentally cataloging every detail of her sparkling with manufactured affection. How was the Henderson meeting? Perfect.
We’re going to break ground next month. Christopher watched Ashley’s face carefully, noting the slight tightening around her eyes. The project details are in my study.
I’ll need to review the contracts tomorrow. Of course darling, I’ve been keeping everything organized for you. That night, Christopher lay beside Ashley in their king-sized bed, listening to her steady breathing while his mind worked through calculations and contingencies.
She stirred once, her hand reaching across the sheets to touch his arm. I love you Christopher, she murmured sleepily. I love you too, he whispered back, the lie tasting like poison on his tongue.
Monday morning brought the first phase of Christopher’s counter-attack. While Ashley drove the kids to school and presumably continued her secret meetings with Andre. Christopher implemented security protocols that would have impressed the CIA.
Every communication device in the house is now monitored. Martin reported from his surveillance been parked three blocks away. Phone calls, text messages, emails, even their social media accounts.
We’ll know about their plans before they finalize them. What about Andre’s background check? Interesting developments. Andre Travis isn’t just some ambitious developer.
He’s got deep family connections to Seattle’s political machine. His uncle is a federal judge. His cousin is a state senator.
If this goes public, he could bring serious pressure to bear. Christopher felt his first genuine smile and daze. Good.
I was worried this might be too easy. There’s something else. Andre’s been married twice before.
Both marriages ended badly. The first wife accused him of psychological manipulation, and the second wife filed a restraining order that was mysteriously dropped a week later. He has a pattern.
Gets worse. I found evidence that he’s done this before. Targeted successful businessmen by seducing their wives and turning their families against them.
There’s a paper trail leading back to San Francisco, Denver, and Phoenix. In each case he walked away with insider information that helped him destroy his target’s businesses. Christopher’s jaw clenched.
He’s not just stealing my business intelligence. He’s following a proven playbook. That’s my assessment.
Ashley and the kids aren’t just betraying you. They’re pawns in a much larger game. The revelation should’ve softened Christopher’s anger, but instead, it crystallized his resolve.
Ashley and his children had chosen to become weapons in Andre’s hands. The fact that they were being manipulated didn’t excuse their betrayal. It made it worse.
That evening, Christopher gathered his family in the living room for what he announced as a state-of-the-family meeting. I know I’ve been traveling a lot lately. He began studying each of their faces.
I want to make sure we’re all connected, all working toward the same goals. Brandon shifted uncomfortably on the couch. What kind of goals dad? Well, for starters, I want to understand what you kids are planning for your futures.
Brandon, you’re 16 now. Are you thinking about college? Brandon exchanged a quick glance with Ashley before answering. I’ve been looking at some schools, maybe something in California.
California is expensive, but we can afford it. Christopher turned to Rachel. And you sweetheart.
Any thoughts about what you want to do? I’m only 14 daddy. I don’t need to decide yet. Of course not, but it’s never too early to start planning.
Christopher leaned forward, his voice warm and paternal. I just want you both to know that, whatever you decide, whatever you want to pursue, I’m here to support you. Family comes first, always.
Ashley reached over and squeezed Christopher’s hand. That’s why we love you so much. Christopher squeezed back, noting the slight tremor in Ashley’s fingers.
I love you all too, more than you’ll ever know. Later that night, Christopher reviewed the day’s surveillance footage on his laptop. The family meeting had clearly unsettled them.
Within an hour of his announcement, Ashley had called Andre, and both kids had sent urgent text messages to numbers that Martin was still tracing. The audio from Ashley’s call was particularly revealing. He’s acting strange Andre, too friendly, too interested in the kids’ plans, what if he knows something? Andre’s voice was calm and reassuring.
He doesn’t know anything. If he did, he would’ve confronted you already. Christopher Graham isn’t subtle when he’s angry.
But what if Ashley trust me, I’ve done this before. Men like Christopher are so arrogant, so confident in their control that they can’t imagine their own families betraying them. He’s probably just feeling guilty about traveling so much.
Christopher paused the recording, and smiled. Andre was right about one thing. Christopher wasn’t subtle when he was angry.
But Andre had made a critical error in assuming that Christopher’s lack of immediate confrontation meant ignorance, rather than strategy. The next morning brought phase two of Christopher’s plan. He called his assistant Francisco Weaver, and dictated a series of instructions that would’ve seemed routine to anyone not aware of the larger game being played.
Francisco, I need you to schedule a dinner party for this Saturday. Small group, maybe eight people. I want to invite some potential investors for the Henderson Project.
Of course, Mr. Graham. Any specific guests in mind? Actually yes. I want you to reach out to Andre Travis.
He’s been expressing interest in Chicago development opportunities, and I think it’s time we met formally. The silence on the other end of the line stretched for several seconds. Sir, I don’t have contact information for Mr. Travis.
That’s okay. I’m sure Ashley can provide it. She mentioned meeting him at some social function.
Christopher hung up, and immediately called Martin. It’s time for phase two. I’m bringing Andre into my house.
Are you… insane? Why would you? Because I want to see his face when he realizes he’s been invited to dinner by the man whose family he’s been manipulating. I want to watch him squirm while he pretends to be a stranger to my wife and children. And if he doesn’t take the bait, he’ll take it.
Men like Andre can’t resist the opportunity to gloat. He’ll want to see the family he’s corrupted up close. It feeds his ego.
Christopher was right. Within two hours, Ashley called to inform him that she’d coincidentally run into Andre Travis at the coffee shop, and had taken the liberty of inviting him to Saturday’s dinner. He seems very interested in your work, darling.
I think you’ll like him. I’m sure I will, Christopher replied. I’m looking forward to getting to know him better.