(i know this ch is short but i have to post it early due to a cute request but dont worry i will try to update it as soon as possible)
Kaizer doesn't interrupt.
That's what makes it worse.
He just watches Jay's stepfather carefully, the way predators do when they sense there's a deeper layer they haven't uncovered yet.
"You keep circling something," Kaizer says at last, voice smooth. "Say it."
Jay's stepfather's jaw tightens. For the first time, the calm cracks—not loudly, not dramatically, but enough for a reader to feel it like a hairline fracture spreading across glass.
"There are people," he says slowly, "you can't move against directly."
Kaizer raises a brow. "Everyone moves, eventually."
The man lets out a humorless breath.
"Not them."
Kaizer leans back. "Names."
Silence.
Then—
"They're your relatives," Jay's stepfather finally says.
That gets Kaizer's attention.
"Relatives who refused the Watson empire. Who declined power when it was handed to them."
Kaizer's fingers still on the armrest.
"And yet," he murmurs, "you're nervous."
Jay's stepfather looks away.
"The first is your cousin's son," he says. "Daniel Raphael Brown."
The name lands heavy.
"London," Kaizer mutters. "Leader of the League's European division."
"Yes."
As a reader, something shifts. This isn't some background character. This is a cornerstone that's been hiding in plain sight.
"He was offered the position before Clyde," Jay's stepfather continues. "The Watson family gave him a clear path to become CEO."
Kaizer frowns. "And he refused?"
"He refused everything."
Money. Power. Protection.
"He trained in the Philippines," the man says bitterly. "Not for wealth. For control. Discipline. Silence."
Kaizer studies him now. "You sound angry."
"I hate him."
The words come out raw.
"Because he's the reason," Jay's stepfather says, voice low, "that I failed that day."
The air goes cold.
"He was never supposed to be there," he continues. "Never supposed to interfere."
Kaizer's eyes narrow. "Interfere with what?"
"With breaking Jay."
There it is.
Your stomach drops as a reader.
"He became her hidden shield," the man says. "Her real godbrother."
Kaizer straightens. "Rafael—"
"Is not her real godbrother," Jay's stepfather cuts in sharply. "That was a lie built for convenience."
Then he laughs quietly, bitter and sharp.
"Do you really think Rafael and Ion escaped back to the Philippines on their own?"
Kaizer doesn't answer.
"They didn't run," the man says. "They were sent."
By him.
Daniel Raphael Brown.
"He made sure Jay stayed safe," Jay's stepfather continues. "He made sure she never stood alone. And he made sure Rafael stayed near her—but never close enough to merge their influence."
Kaizer exhales slowly. "Because—"
"Because if those two had combined," the man snaps, "it would have been impossible to stop them."
Two leaders.
Two regions.
Two storms colliding.
"They rule different territories of the League," he says. "Separate. Balanced. Controlled."
Kaizer's voice is quiet now. "And the other?"
The man hesitates.
Then—
"Ava."
Kaizer blinks. "The actress?"
"Yes. Ava Brown."
Famous. Beloved. Untouchable in public perception.
"She's Daniel's blood," the man says. "And just as dangerous."
Kaizer lets out a low laugh. "You're telling me the world's favorite star is part of this?"
"I'm telling you," Jay's stepfather replies, "that the people who look harmless are the ones who ruin plans."
Kaizer stands, pacing now.
"So Daniel protected Jay from you," he says slowly. "Kept her alive. Kept her powerful. Kept her separate."
"And still managed to keep his hands clean."
Kaizer stops near the window.
"And you think," he says carefully, "he'll stay out of this?"
Jay's stepfather's expression darkens.
"No."
Because tomorrow is June 16.
Because the League is gathering.
Because Alpha is supposed to be dead.
And because Daniel Raphael Brown never moves unless the board is already set.
The man looks at Kaizer, voice barely above a whisper.
"If Jay rises," he says, "Daniel will step out of the shadows."
"And if he does—"
Kaizer finishes the thought himself.
"The game changes."
The lights outside flicker.