ock in the hallway

h-black void, but the heavy front doors of the estate suddenly slamme

rming my hands, watching the storm through the floor-to-ceiling window

ully practiced look of sleepy co

toned and stained with what looked like coffee, and his hair was a wild mess. His eyes were bloodshot, rimmed with

ushed to him, my silk robe billowing behind m

stal decanter on the sidebar and poured himself three fingers of scotch, not both

choked out, his voice c

, squeezing gently. "What'

The offshore accounts. The bank called me at three in the morning. They said there were... unauthor

d to my mouth. "Fifty million? Victor, how

marble fireplace, shards of crystal flying everywhere. I flinched, a genuine reaction

. "But without that liquidity, we can't cover the payroll this month. We can

I asked, playing my part perfectly. "You said he was

nyone, Elena. He buys the carcasses of dead companies. If he finds

pace the room like a trapped rat. Yo

fresh cup of black coffee. I placed it in front of him

ays fix things. You're the smartest man I know. You jus

of a second. "You're right. I need to go to the o

g the heat. "I won't let them take this from

le never wavering. It was my

e, before grabbing his keys and storming out of t

out a long, slow breath. The smile vanished

glass on the floor and nudged

o the empty room. "The fi

-

were a masterclass

t out the fires I had started, I was sitting at my laptop in th

Victor's accounts, I created a shell corporation bas

t. I contacted the banks he owed money to-the ones he had leveraged

Victor's debt for a fraction of the price,

adow company that didn't exist, owned by a wife

ure text message on a bur

ng fifty million. The market is

ou I hadn't

Montague Group at 1 PM. The view is almost a

screen. Damien Vance was a dangerous

ll be

-

s obelisk in the heart of the city, a monument to m

heads, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and fear. The news of the disastrous ann

tammered. "We weren't expecting you. Mr.

e Chanel suit, a stark contrast to the red dress from the night before. I looked like a wo

e argue. She directed me to the private

eath me as I ascended. When the doors opened on the top floor,

in his pockets. He looked utterly at ease

s voice a low, pleasing rumb

Mr. Vance," I said, brushi

here, whipping my hair around my face. The city sprawle

retense. "I have a board meeting in an hour. I'm going to anno

ce him. "No. D

"You want me to stay partn

collapse completely, and Victor will walk away with whatever is left. He'll file for bankr

of deep intrigue crossing his f

debt through Nemesis Holdings. When the time is right, I will call in the loans. He wo

heavy moment. The wind whipped a

met," he said, his voice filled with an emoti

u nowhere, Mr. Vance,

against my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold. "It's a promise. When th

nd, my burner phone

screen. It was a text from the

She's completely unhinged

blade of satisfaction

ping away from Damien. "It s

-

s the sun was beginning to set, casting long

reaming before I even

he set me up! Where is

ng held back by two security guards, her hair a tangled mess, her face red and

, a glass of scotch in his trembling hand. He lo

d, but the guards held her back. "You did this t

sting calmly at my sides. I looked at her with

ity. "I know you're hurting. I know you're scared.

er voice cracking. "I didn't do

ring my voice so only she

. A cold, terrifying smile spread across my face. "You did that yourself

zation hit her like a physical blow. The sweet, naive sister s

ered, backing away from me,

e returning to its normal, sweet ca

exchange with a confused, uneasy e

ed at the guards. "Get th

he front door, throwing her onto the gravel driveway. T

ook in his eyes. He looked exhau

. "I'm ruined. The board meeting is tomorrow. If I can't present a

on the marble. I placed my hands on his chest

hispered. "I won't let them take

mbrace, burying his face in

hout you, Elena," he murmured. "Y

at the shattered remains of the Mi

," I wh

eeting, the final nail would