Chapter 3
The Perfect Host. Saturday evening arrived with the crisp clarity of October in Chicago. Christopher adjusted his tie in the hall mirror, noting a slight tremor in his hands.
Not from nerves, but from anticipation, tonight, he would look into the eyes of the man who had orchestrated his family’s betrayal. Ashley descended the stairs in a black cocktail dress that Christopher had bought her for their anniversary two years ago. The irony wasn’t lost on him that she’d chosen to wear his gift while entertaining her lover.
You look beautiful, he said, meaning it despite everything. Ashley had always been stunning, and betrayal hadn’t diminished her physical appeal. Thank you, darling.
The caterer has finished setting up an hour ago. Everything looks perfect. Christopher nodded, surveying the dining room where Ashley had arranged flowers and candles with her usual, impeccable taste.
She’d always been gifted at creating beautiful facades. Brandon and Rachel appeared from the kitchen, both dressed appropriately for a family dinner with business associates. Christopher noted the nervous energy radiating from both of them.
Remember, Christopher said addressing his children. Tonight is about business. I expect you both to be polite and engaged.
Mr. Travis might have opportunities that could benefit our family. The doorbell rang at exactly 7 o’clock. Christopher opened it himself, coming face-to-face with Andre Travis for the first time.
The man was everything Martin’s surveillance had suggested. Tall, confident, expensively dressed with the kind of smooth handsomeness that attracted both investors and married women. Mr. Graham.
Andre extended his hand with a perfect smile. Thank you so much for the invitation. I’ve been looking forward to meeting Chicago’s most successful developer.
Christopher shook Andre’s hand, applying just enough pressure to be memorable without being obvious. Please call me Christopher. Any friend of Ashley’s is welcome in our home.
Christopher watched Andre’s eyes carefully, noting the micro-expression of surprise that flashed across his features. Andre had expected Christopher to be suspicious or territorial. Instead he was faced with warmth and hospitality from the man he was systematically destroying.
Ashley darling, Christopher called out. Our guest has arrived. Ashley appeared from the living room.
Her performance flawless as she greeted Andre with the polite distance appropriate for a recent acquaintance. Mr. Travis, welcome to our home. Mrs. Graham, thank you again for the invitation.
Your home is even more beautiful than you described. Christopher noted the subtle familiarity in Andre’s voice. The tone of a man who had indeed heard detailed descriptions of the house from someone who lived there.
The other guests arrived within minutes. William Fry, Christopher’s banker, Kent Sanderson, a city planning official, and Rich Johnston, a fellow developer who Christopher occasionally collaborated with on large projects. Christopher had chosen each guest carefully.
Men who would provide the perfect backdrop for the evening’s real drama. During cocktails Christopher positioned himself to observe the interactions between Andre and his family. Ashley maintained perfect distance, speaking to Andre no more than any other guest.
But Christopher caught the slight touches. Her hand brushing Andre’s as she passed him a drink. The way she angled her body toward him during group conversations.
Brandon and Rachel were less skilled at deception. Both teenagers seemed fascinated by Andre, asking him pointed questions about his business and his plans for Chicago development. To the other guests, it might have seemed like normal teenage curiosity.
To Christopher, it looked like debriefing. Mr. Travis Rich Johnston was saying, I understand you’re looking at investment opportunities here in Chicago. What sectors interest you most? Andre smiled, swirling his whiskey.
I’m particularly interested in downtown development. Mixed-use properties, luxury, residential projects. The kind of work that Mr. Graham here has mastered.
Please, Christopher interjected. Tell us about your background. What brought you to Chicago? Andre launched into what was clearly a well-rehearsed story about market opportunities and family connections.
But Christopher was watching Ashley’s face. She was listening with the intensity of someone hearing familiar information presented to strangers for the first time. My uncle always said that Chicago had more potential than Seattle.
Andre continued. He encouraged me to establish a here. Maybe partner with established firms to learn the local market.
Smart approach, William Fry agreed. Christopher could probably give you excellent guidance. He knows this city better than anyone.
I would be honored to learn from Mr. Graham, Andre said, his eyes meeting Christopher’s with what seemed like genuine respect. The dinner conversation flowed smoothly with Andre displaying impressive knowledge of Chicago’s development history and current market conditions. Christopher had to admit that the man was intelligent and well-prepared.
Under different circumstances, he might have actually liked Andre Travis. As the evening progressed, Christopher began implementing subtle tests. He mentioned specific details about upcoming projects, noting which information seemed to surprise Andre and which didn’t.
He discussed his travel schedule for the coming weeks, watching for any unusual interest from his family. I’ll be traveling quite a bit over the next month, Christopher said during dessert. Dallas, Phoenix, possibly a trip to Seattle to look at some properties there.
Andre’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. A tiny hesitation that Christopher caught, but the other guests missed. Seattle has an excellent market, Andre said carefully.
If you’d like recommendations for areas to investigate, I’d be happy to help. That’s very generous. Maybe we could meet for coffee when I’m in town.
I’d like that very much. After the other guests left, Andre lingered, accepting Christopher’s invitation for a final drink in the study. Ashley excused herself to oversee the cleanup, and the children disappeared to their rooms, leaving the two men alone.
Christopher poured two glasses of 25-year-old scotch and handed one to Andre. To new partnerships, he said, raising his glass. To new opportunities, Andre replied.
They sat in leather chairs facing each other, the room lit by the warm glow of Christopher’s desk lamp. This was the same room where Andre had been secretly meeting with Ashley and the children, and Christopher wondered if the irony was as apparent to Andre as it was to him. Your family seems very close, Andre said, testing the waters.
They’re everything to me. Christopher replied honestly. I’ve built all of this for them.
Everything I’ve accomplished, every deal I’ve made, every building I’ve constructed, it’s all about giving them the best possible life. Andre nodded thoughtfully. That’s admirable.
Not every successful man prioritizes family the way you do. Family is sacred, Christopher said, watching Andre’s face carefully. Loyalty is the foundation of everything I believe in.
I could forgive almost any mistake, any failure, any weakness. But, betrayal. Christopher let the word hang in the air like a threat.
Betrayal destroys trust, Andre agreed. Once that’s gone, it’s almost impossible to rebuild. I disagree.
Christopher said quietly. I don’t think it’s impossible to rebuild. I think it’s pointless to rebuild.
Some things, once broken, should stay broken. Andre finished his scotch and set down the glass. Well, I should let you get some rest.
Thank you again for a wonderful evening. I hope we can continue our conversations soon. Christopher walked Andre to the door, shaking hands one final time.
I’m sure we will. I have a feeling our paths are going to cross quite frequently. After Andre left, Christopher found Ashley in the kitchen, finishing the last of the cleanup.
She looked up as he entered her smile radiant. That went well, don’t you think? Mr. Travis seems very nice. He’s interesting, Christopher agreed.
Very knowledgeable about the local market, almost like he’s been studying it for months. Ashley’s hands stilled on the dish towel. Well, he’s obviously done his research.
That’s what good businessmen do. True, Christopher moved closer, wrapping his arms around Ashley’s waist from behind. I love you, you know.
Ashley leaned back against him, her tension melting away. I love you too. Christopher kissed the top of her head, inhaling the familiar scent of her shampoo, while his mind calculated the final steps of his revenge.
Phase 2 was complete. Andre had taken the bait, and Christopher now had everything he needed to move to Phase 3. Over the next two weeks, Christopher’s surveillance network captured increasingly desperate communications between Ashley, Andre, and the children. The dinner party had clearly unsettled them, and they were struggling to interpret Christopher’s behavior.
He’s definitely suspicious, Brandon said in one recorded phone call to Andre. He keeps asking weird questions about our friends, our activities, like he’s fishing for information. Stay calm.
Andre’s voice replied. If he knew anything definitive, he would have acted by now. Your father isn’t the type to play games.
Christopher laughed out loud when he heard that particular recording. Andre Travis had built his entire strategy on a fundamental misunderstanding of his opponent. The final piece of Phase 2 came from Martin’s contacts in Seattle.
Andre’s business empire, impressive as it appeared, was built on a foundation of debt and questionable partnerships. More importantly, Andre’s previous victims had never fought back because he’d chosen his targets carefully. Men who valued their reputations more than revenge, who would quietly rebuild rather than publicly expose their humiliation.
Andre Travis had never faced someone like Christopher Graham. Are you ready for Phase 3? Martin asked during one of their morning meetings. Christopher looked out at the Chicago skyline, his expression calm and determined.
More than ready, it’s time to show them what happens when you betray the wrong family. What’s the first move? Christopher turned back to his brother, his smile cold and predatory. We’re going to give them exactly what they think they want, and then we’re going to take it all away.