Episode 32

The next morning, the rain had stopped, but the sky remained heavy with dark clouds, as if London had yet to decide whether to relieve the tension or prolong it. The air carried the damp scent of wet streets, and a cold breeze drifted through the slightly open windows of Damien’s residence.

In the library, Gabriel paced the space with firm strides, impatience evident in every movement. He had been waiting for answers about Whitaker for two days now, and the wait was beginning to wear on him.

Damien, seated comfortably on one of the sofas, sipped his morning tea with no apparent urgency.

“If you keep walking like that, you'll wear out the carpet.”

Gabriel ignored him and turned toward the window.

“I hope the answers I need finally arrive today.”

Days ago, he had sent a discreet message to Dorian, instructing him to deliver any information to this address. Now, all that remained was to wait.

Before Damien could respond, a firm knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

The butler entered, holding a sealed envelope.

“Correspondence for you, my lord.”

Gabriel turned immediately. The butler approached, placing the letter on the table before stepping back with a slight bow.

Gabriel wasted no time. He grabbed the envelope and tore the seal open with steady fingers. Damien leaned forward, watching with interest.

“Well? What have you discovered?”

Gabriel read through the words carefully. His eyes hardened with each line. Then he stopped.

His hand clenched around the letter, but this time, it was not just an instinctive reaction. His blood pounded in his temples, and a deep tightness settled in his chest.

If he were another man, he might have thrown the chair to the ground. Instead, he merely clenched his jaw, staring at the letter as if he could obliterate the words before him.

Silence stretched between them for a moment.

Damien arched an eyebrow.

“That doesn't look good.”

Slowly, Gabriel lifted his gaze, a cutting coldness in his expression. “Whitaker is not just an opportunist. He is a criminal.”

Damien straightened on the sofa, clear interest flashing in his eyes. “Now this is getting interesting. Explain.”

Gabriel didn’t respond immediately. He reread one of the paragraphs, his fingers tightening slightly around the paper. “He’s bankrupt.”

Damien stood up, stepping closer to Gabriel. “Bankrupt? What do you mean?”

Gabriel set the letter on the table, running a hand over his face before replying. “His businesses are a facade. Accumulated debts, failed investments... He has lost almost everything.”

Damien let out a low whistle. “Well, that explains a lot.”

He poured himself more tea but didn’t drink it right away. Instead, he swirled the liquid in his cup, his eyes thoughtful. “You know, Gabriel… If Whitaker was willing to sell naval routes, it means he has powerful allies. That could mean trouble for you.”

Gabriel nodded, his gaze ice-cold. “Which is why I’ll make sure he has no way out.”

Damien set down his tea and crossed his arms, amusement and seriousness mingling in his expression. “If you’re going to destroy him, at least let me watch from the front row.”

Gabriel didn’t smile. There was more. He picked up the letter again, his blue eyes darkening as he read the crucial information. “And it’s not just that. He has been acquiring money in… less than legitimate ways.”

Damien raised an eyebrow. “Define ‘less than legitimate.’”

Gabriel set the letter down and crossed his arms. “Bribery. Extortion. Financial schemes. Deceived investors. But the worst...” He hesitated for a moment before continuing. “He is involved in the financing of attacks against British merchant ships...” He fell silent, the bitter taste of rage spreading in his mouth. “...and human trafficking.”

A heavy silence settled over the room.

Damien sat down and picked up his teacup, taking a slow sip.

“Wait... Are you telling me that our esteemed Lord Whitaker is not only bankrupt but also a traitor?”

Gabriel nodded, fury tightening in his chest. “He is selling information about British naval routes to fill his own pockets.”

Damien ran a hand over his chin, considering. “And who else knows about this?”

Gabriel closed the letter, his thoughts aligning rapidly. “It is still a suspicion, but there is enough evidence to launch a formal investigation.” He met Damien’s gaze, his eyes cold. “If we manage to present this to the king at the right moment, Whitaker will not only lose Lilian, he will be ruined.”