Chapter 12
The private jet climbed steadily through a blanket of heavy grey clouds, breaking through into the brilliant, unobstructed sunlight of the upper atmosphere. Below them, the sprawling autumn foliage of the Vermont countryside rolled out like a patchwork quilt of amber, crimson, and gold.
Arthur Vance sat quietly by the window, a thick leather portfolio resting on his lap containing Leo’s academic records and counseling notes from the academy. Across the aisle, Elena reviewed the preliminary compliance audit reports for the European shipping hubs, her movements efficient and focused.
"We'll be touching down at Burlington International in twenty minutes," the pilot’s voice crackled over the cabin intercom.
Arthur closed the portfolio and turned his gaze toward Elena. "Thank you for coming, Elena. I know this isn't part of your standard job description as Director of Compliance."
Elena lowered her tablet and offered a reassuring smile. "Compliance isn't just about balancing corporate ledgers, Mr. Vance. Sometimes it's about making sure the human foundation doesn't fracture beyond repair."
The descent was smooth, the jet touching down softly on the crisp tarmac of the Vermont airfield where a black town car idling by the private hangar awaited them. Within an hour, they were winding their way up the forested mountain roads toward St. Jude’s Academy, an elite preparatory school nestled among the crimson maples.
As the wrought-iron gates of the academy came into view, Arthur felt a familiar tightening in his chest. He had brought David to schools just like this decades ago, hoping to shield him from the relentless pressures of the shipping empire, only to watch ambition consume the next generation in ways he never anticipated.
The town car pulled up to the main administration building, a stately brick structure draped in ivy. Headmaster Evans, a tall, distinguished man with silver-rimmed glasses, was waiting on the stone steps to greet them.
"Mr. Vance," Headmaster Evans said, shaking Arthur’s hand firmly before nodding politely to Elena. "We weren't expecting you until tomorrow, but given the breaking news alerts on the financial networks this morning, I assumed this visit concerned Master Leo."
"It does, Headmaster," Arthur said gravely. "I need to speak with him in private. Is he in his quarters?"
"He's currently in the library study hall," Evans replied, his expression softening with genuine concern. "He hasn't seen the news yet, Mr. Vance. We restricted internet access in the dormitories as soon as the wire reports started coming in, but we can't shield him indefinitely."
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"I know," Arthur said. "Lead the way."
***
