Gabriel stood in his office, staring at the screen of his tablet. He was staring at a series of pictures of his son, sneaking out of a back alleyway after an akuma attack, blocks away from his driver and where he was supposed to be.
The photos had been sent to him by a paparazzo, one he had an agreement with to approve photos before they were released to the tabloids. They were innocent enough photos, nothing that would hurt the Gabriel brand, but what the photographer didn't know is that Gabriel had a second set of photos.
He swiped on his tablet to pull up the photo set Nathalie had sent him. They were taken from a surveillance camera, one of many that he had… acquired… access to, for his mission of tracking the two teenage menaces that plagued him. The second set of photos showed Chat Noir vaulting across the rooftops only minutes earlier. And dropping into that same alley, out of sight.
Gabriel rubbed the bridge of his nose. It can't be true. He had suspected his son before. He thought they had ruled him out. But what if they made a mistake? What if Ladybug had tricked him?
He stared at the silver ring on his son's hand. Could that be the treasure he's been pursuing for so many months?
His eyes shifted to see a notification pop up on his tablet. Nathalie was calling him. He tapped to answer the call.
"Yes, Nathalie"
"Sir, have you seen the photos?"
"I have."
There was a pointed silence.
"It's circumstantial at best," Nathalie stated.
She was correct. This was far from solid proof that his son was Chat Noir. But the mere thought that his nemesis had been living under his own roof—that his own son was the reason he had remained separated from Emilie—the thought made his blood boil.
He thought again of Chat Noir's absence the day of his collection's premier. He had specifically instructed Adrien not to leave the event. Was that why the hero never arrived on scene? Was he sitting in front of Gabriel banners, promoting his brand the whole time?
"I will need to have a conversation with my son," Gabriel decided. "We can discuss our options after I have more information."
"Of course, sir. He will be home at 23h00 from his fencing match."
Gabriel could hear Nathalie try to stifle a cough. Her condition was only getting worse, but she insisted on not cutting back any of her duties.
"There's no need for you to stay up that late, Nathalie. I will meet him in his room when I am ready to speak with him."
"Sir, it's really no issue…"
"I've made my decision, Nathalie. Get some rest."
"Yes sir"
