Is this destiny?

~ Switzerland, Bern ~

Albert entered his apartment in downtown Bern and went straight to the bar to pour himself a drink.

He would normally be in his villa, in the suburbs, but considering that the villa was completely robbed, he didn't feel like going there. That place was a reminder that no place is safe.

These last few days were stressful, and he needed to calm down and figure out what to do next.

His heart was bitter with the knowledge that Sarah produced a medallion, establishing herself as a member of the Council.

What Albert felt for Sarah initially was that she was incompetent, unworthy, and too young for the Council, but now it turned into hate. He would prefer to see her on her knees, begging for mercy, but his many years in politics taught him that acting rashly is not the way to achieve one's goals.

Albert spent so many years smiling while plotting someone's demise, that it became a habit. The only time he would lose his composure is when he feels that someone is after things that belong to him. And Sarah falls into that category.

Sarah's presence in the Council is diminishing his authority by spoiling the image that a member of the Council holds. How can he allow her to stay there?

He grudgingly allowed Suvedini to come, but she is submissive, and he sees her more like an intern of some sort, than a full-fledged member. Sarah on the other side is asserting her dominance and he will not tolerate such behavior!

Albert downed his drink and went to the study. He needed a plan, and he needed one fast.

The only thing Albert regretted was that he had no one he could fully trust by his side. No one is competent or trustworthy enough. After all, if the word spreads about the work Albert is doing in the shadows, his reputation and career will be over.

Albert wanted his son to become a member of the Council. That would be a valuable puppet. Albert used the fact that two seats in the Council are vacant, and came up with a story about how his son will be taking the spot earlier than planned as part of the training. Of course, Albert would use that as having two votes in the Council and to further solidify his influence.

Unfortunately, Jarred exposed the youngster's misdeeds to the Council, and the news leaked to the media as well. Albert used all his connections in order to spare his son from going into prison, and he is now laying low in Australia. Completely useless.

Jarred said that he had nothing to do with the information leak, but Albert has a strong hunch that was done on purpose.

Albert sat in his executive leather chair and rubbed his face.

His movements halted when he noticed that some of the books in the in-built bookcase are out of place.

With a deep frown, he got to check it out. He pulled the fourth book in the second row at a specific angle, and it made a click sound. A second later, a part of the shelf moved, revealing a safe deposit box.

Albert told himself not to overthink things, but uneasiness in the pit of his stomach grew as he punched in the code and pulled the lever.

"No…", a weak sound escaped his lips when he realized that the safe was empty. No one knew about this safe, other than him. Where are the contents? There were important documents inside!

Albert balled his hand into a fist and punched the wall.

"Aww…", he wailed sadly.

Albert is a politician, not a fighter, and this hurt. Did he break a bone?

He moved his fingers successfully, confirming that bones were not broken, but his pain didn't ease up.

"AHHH!", he shouted angrily.

Everything was going downhill. His house was robbed, Sarah is a member of the Council, and now this!

Albert paused. Is it possible that these are connected?

His heart ached as he reached for his phone and called his driver. "Aram, get the car ready. I need to head to Zurich…"

Two hours later, Albert entered a small villa, located in the luxurious Zürichberg district of Zurich.

He ignored the maids that greeted him and headed straight for the room on the third floor.

The room is exquisitely decorated with figurines and priceless paintings on the walls. The plush circular seating in the room is placed on top of a fluffy off-white area rug.

Albert locked the door behind him and moved to the middle of the room. He got on his knees, pushed the coffee table to the side, and lifted the rug.

After counting the boards of the exposed hardwood floor, he pushed the barely visible circular groove on the floor, activating the mechanism that spread the boards apart with a small hissing sound. It revealed a metallic door with a six-digit number lock. With shaky fingers, Albert moved the numbers up and down until he got the right combination and pulled the hatch up.

He exhaled sharply and plopped on his bottom when he saw that it's empty.

Albert dug his fingers into his receding hair and clawed at his scalp which was numb already from anxiousness.

Now, he was in trouble.

Who would be able to get this? First, they would need to know that there is something in here. Anyone who comes to this room would look at the priceless statues and artwork. Yet everything is intact and in place. Well, almost everything.

This secret chamber was his super-secret stash. Cash, diamonds, and several documents that if linked to him could put him in big trouble. It was last-defense insurance that some of his competitors won't dare to make a move against him. And then there is that thing which he couldn't make himself destroy, so he kept it here, even thought he knew that no one EVER could find out that he has it.

And now someone has it.

Is it his house staff? No. Albert rarely accesses this chamber, and whenever he does it, he makes sure the staff is not present. Trying to open with a wrong number combination would activate the protection mechanism that spills the acid and burns the lock, yet everything is intact.

This was done by someone who knew what they were looking for and where to find it, but who could it be, other than Albert himself?

His main residence, his apartment, and now this villa. Someone was there and took his things without alerting the security.

If plain robbers came, they would look for the bedroom, study room, and even if they came here, they would take what's in plain sight… Albert's mind was a mess. He needed a drink.

Albert went to the study and stopped in front of the portrait of his deceased wife, estranged son, and him. After a few seconds of gazing at the tree people who smiled at him, he moved the portrait to the side and accessed the safe that was hidden in the wall, behind the painting.

Empty.

He didn't need to check his other properties, because he guessed that other safes are cleaned up as well. Now what?

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