Chapter 4: The Public Confession
With a shaking hand, Richard Sterling signed away his empire. He dropped the pen, burying his face in his hands as quiet sobs wracked his body.
Cassandra stood frozen, realizing that her life of luxury, private jets, and designer clothes was over. She was now poorer than the waitress she had assaulted just twelve hours ago.
"Now get out of my building," Elena ordered. "And if I ever see either of you in New York City again, I won't be nearly this merciful."
As the broken father and daughter were escorted out by security, Julian Vance strolled into the boardroom from an adjoining private office. He poured himself a glass of scotch from the crystal decanter on the side table, taking a slow sip.
"That was brutal," Julian remarked, though his eyes gleamed with deep admiration. "Even by my standards."
"They got what they deserved," Elena replied, closing the folder and handing it to her assistant. "But the Sterlings were just the appetizers, Julian. We both know the real rot runs deeper."
Julian leaned against the heavy wooden table, crossing his arms. He was undeniably handsome, with sharp jawlines and eyes like dark slate, but he carried an aura of danger that kept most people terrified of him. Elena, however, had never been afraid of the dark.
"You're talking about the Blackwood family," Julian said, his voice dropping to a serious tone.
Elena’s eyes hardened. "They funded the assassination attempt on my father five years ago. They thought they succeeded in burying the Rostova name. They didn't know he hid me away to train, to prepare."
"Marcus Blackwood is hosting a charity masquerade tomorrow night on his private yacht," Julian noted, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "It’s an exclusive invite. Only the fifty most powerful families in the country. The security will be military-grade."
Elena stood up, smoothing out her red suit. She walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down at the sprawling city of Manhattan—her city.
"Then it's a good thing you have a plus-one on your invitation, Julian."
May you like
Julian smirked, setting his glass down. "They will recognize you, Elena. Even in a mask. If Marcus realizes you're alive, you won't make it off that yacht."
"Let him recognize me," Elena said, a terrifying, predatory smile touching her lips. "I want him to look into my eyes when I burn his entire legacy to the ground."
