The murmur of distant traffic outside the dilapidated warehouse reminded Aidan that life outside went on, even though it was out of sight. Jacob had converted the dimly lit room into a temporary war room, and Aidan Pierce sat at the little, old table. He was presented with page after page of papers, all of them damning. However, the mysterious message on his phone that read, "They're closer than you think," kept him from paying attention to the evidence of Victor's misconduct. "Never put your confidence in anyone."
Aidan gripped his phone tighter. The message's timing was unsettling, but it wasn't clear who sent it. Was that a warning? A danger? Was he being monitored even within the walls that were meant to keep him safe?
Silently, Jacob crossed the room, still going over the documents and maps he had spread out. Aidan's uneasiness was not yet apparent to him, but the strain will soon become unbearable.
In an attempt to quell the mounting paranoia that was eating away at his thoughts, Aidan put the phone back in his pocket. He needed to concentrate on the business at hand. He needed to take off Aidan Pierce's skin and change completely in order to compete with Victor.
"How can we resolve this?" The silence was broken by Aidan's question. He pointed to the jumble of papers on the table. This information is a great place to start, even though Victor has too much power over the city. He will just destroy everyone who attempts to bring him down, even if we expose him. He's done it once before.
Jacob's voice was focused and clear, but he didn't raise his head from his task. "We expose him for other reasons as well. He must be dissected from the inside out, piece by piece. And you must vanish in order to accomplish that."
"Vanish?" Aidan repeated, waiting for the response. That was what the telegram had said. Still, he had never heard of a total disappearance. In his life, Aidan Pierce had never concealed anything. But everything was different now.
Jacob continued, looking up sharply from the table, "You can't stay as Aidan Pierce. Victor's men are pursuing you, and they will eventually find you. The media and the board believe you are guilty. If you are caught, you will be unable to fight against this.
With a tone of disdain and irritation, Aidan declared, "I'm not running from this."
Jacob's forehead wrinkled. "Disapearring is not the equivalent of running away. The goal is to live long enough to win. Staying out in the open will kill you before you can move, and Victor is now playing a different game. You must take on a new, untraceable persona. That's how we will fight."
Leaning back in his chair, Aidan considered the ramifications. He'd have to sacrifice everything. If he hoped to outsmart Victor, he would have to remove his name, his past, and his relationships. However, what did it personally mean to him?
Jacob interrupted Aidan mid-sentence with, "I can set you up with new credentials. For years, I have been living off the grid. The scheme includes clean records, new bank accounts, and fake identities. But you must give it your whole attention. You cannot return to your previous way of living."
For a minute, Aidan gazed at the wall, considering the extent of Jacob's suggestion. He had been brought up to control the Pierce empire and was taught that his reputation was his greatest strength and that his name held enormous power. But today, that same name was his biggest flaw.
Even though his words were heavy, Aidan replied quietly: "I'll do it."
Jacob nodded, his expression incomprehensible. "All right. We'll get started right away. However, there is something you must know before embracing this new identity.
Aidan's eyebrow went up nervously. "What?"
Jacob leaned closer and spoke in a barely audible whisper. "Changing your identity or obtaining new documents is not the only option to change who you are. It's important to let go of your former self. Everything that made you Aidan Pierce must go, including your relationships and routines. If you don't, Victor will find you. And he won't simply murder you when he does. He is going to erase you.
Jacob got up and walked across the room to the rusting cabinet against the wall, where he opened a drawer. He took out a little pile of carefully arranged documents and gave them to Aidan. These are some suggestions for your new persona. Some of these relationships are trustworthy and—more importantly—untraceable; I've utilized a number of them in the past. Choose something that feels right after taking a look.
Aidan picked up the folders and dug through them. Each one has a meticulously produced biography of a new life, complete with distinctive names, histories, backgrounds, and vocations. He had the impression that he was selecting an illusion, a costume, to wear for the rest of his life.
While looking over the profiles, he saw one in particular: Ethan Blake, a consultant for global logistics. He was looking for a name that would be easy to forget. Although the background was authentic enough to fit in with the environment he would soon be entering, it was also sufficiently ambiguous to allow him some latitude.
Aidan handed the file back to Jacob and said, "This one."
After taking a quick look at the profile, Jacob nodded. "Fantastic decision. It provides enough mobility and is neat. You'll turn into Ethan Blake. There is no longer an Aidan Pierce."
The impact of the comment surprised Aidan. He felt as though a part of himself had just been taken away, despite the fact that he knew this was essential. His identity and name had served as his pillars, and now he had to allow them to fall apart.
"How about the money?" Trying to concentrate on the details, Aidan asked. "I need Victor to track me in order to access my accounts."
Jacob grinned. "I've taken care of it. Over the years, I have opened multiple accounts under various identities, which has allowed me to accrue money. I'll deposit the necessary sum into Ethan Blake's new account. There will be plenty of room for you to walk around, but avoid drawing attention to yourself."
Even though it seemed strange and awkward to use someone else's money, Aidan accepted. But once more he was powerless. No, this is crucial if he was going to stay live.
Jacob approached a metal trunk in the corner and opened it, exposing a tiny assortment of paperwork, including credit cards, driver's licenses, and passports. He gave Aidan Ethan Blake his new identity card after taking it out.
Jacob congratulated him, "Welcome to your new life."
Aidan accepted the card and studied it for a while. Everything about him, including his new name and looks, had been deliberately designed to fit in with the new environment. He experienced an odd indifference, as if he were observing the events of another person's life.
The hush was broken by Jacob, who said, "We'll need to change your appearance too." Victor knows who you are. You have to look the part if you want to go unnoticed.
Aidan's eyebrows went up. "What do you propose?"
Jacob grinned. "First, a new outfit and hairstyle. Drop the suits too. Nobody anticipates that a business heir will be dressed in jeans and sweatpants."
Even though it was a phony laugh, Aidan couldn't help but laugh. Since he could remember, every well-fitting suit he had worn was a symbol of distinction. It felt startling to follow the crowd and dress down. But Jacob was correct. He had to give up the Aidan Pierce persona if he wished to hide.
An hour later, hardly recognizing the guy staring back at him, Aidan stood before a broken mirror. His clean brown hair had been trimmed to a short length. The material felt strange and loose on his skin, and he was dressed in jeans and a basic black hoodie. Though not much, it was enough to give him a new persona that was reminiscent of Ethan Blake's.
Jacob threw his arms behind him and gazed gratefully at the transformation. "A lot better," he commented. "You appear to be a man that nobody would ever look twice at. Exactly what we require."
Still getting acclimated to the sensation, Aidan ran a hand over his short hair. "What comes next? While we wait for Victor to act, we cannot just do anything."
Jacob's face clouded as he nodded. "No, we won't. We have to meet this person. Someone inside."
A beat skipped in Aidan's heart. "You mean one of the board members?"
Jacob's eyes shone with a mix of determination and optimism. "Indeed. For years, one of the board members has been privately against Victor. They hold the secret to forcing the other board members to disagree with him. But it's dangerous to meet them. We must exercise caution."
Aidan felt a rush of excitement and fear. He was in need of this chance, but it also meant returning to the world he had just left, albeit with a new identity and face.
"Who is it?" Aidan inquired.
Jacob paused, as though he was considering removing the name. "Claire Jennings," he muttered with a sigh.
Astonished, Aidan blinks. "Claire? My Secretary?"
Jacob gave a nod. She is not merely your secretary. For years, she has been gathering information about Victor's illicit behind-the-scenes activities. She has remained silent as she awaits the ideal opportunity to take action. Now that you're out of the picture, she's also our best opportunity to make things better.
Aidan's thoughts were racing as he gazed at Jacob. He didn't realize Claire was undertaking anything so risky, but he still had entire faith in her. She had been playing a long, agonizing game that, if Jacob was correct, might now save them or kill them all.
"What kept her from telling me?" With a tone of incredulity, Aidan inquired.
Jacob gave a shrug. "Maybe because it was't safe. Victor is always watching and listening. Perhaps you would have unintentionally exposed him if she had told you. She was defending you and herself.
Aidan was both grateful and annoyed. Although Claire had always been dependable, he hadn't anticipated this degree of commitment. She appeared to have the secret to triumph after risking everything to keep Victor in the dark.
"We have to meet her," Aidan stated clearly. "We must act quickly if she agrees to assist. Victor is committed to taking total command.
After giving a nod, Jacob started to collect the paperwork and get ready for the next phase. "I'll make plans for us to get together. However, we must exercise caution. Victor's guys are still out there, keeping an eye on everyone around you.
Aidan could feel the situation's weight bearing down on him. The fight for his family's legacy had just begun, but he was no longer Aidan Pierce.
Aidan's phone buzzed once more when Jacob called to set up the meeting. "You're closer to the truth than you realize," another message from the anonymous phone reads. Be careful who you put your trust in.
Aidan's spine tingled at the warning. The sender of these messages was more knowledgeable than they were admitting. If they were correct, the threat was considerably more serious than he had thought.
He didn't have time to think about it, though. Finding Claire, assembling supporters, and striking before Victor annihilated them all was the next sensible step.
After giving his reflection a final look, Aidan followed Jacob out of the warehouse. The man he had grown into, Ethan Blake, was prepared to take on the future. The former Aidan Pierce, however, is now gone.