Chapter 17: Bloodlines
Alexander Thorne was a myth whispered among the oldest members of the Thorne board. Born to a French mistress, he was the brilliant, ruthless firstborn of Jonathan Sr. But because of his illegitimacy, Eleanor Thorne had used her immense wealth to banish him, ensuring Marcus would be the sole heir.
For thirty years, Alexander had built his own dark empire in the shadows of the European underworld. Now, he was stepping into the light.
The next morning, Khloe did not wait for Alexander to strike again. She called an emergency board meeting.
"Aegis Capital is attempting an illegal blockade of our assets," Khloe announced, pacing the length of the boardroom. "They want to starve us out. But we are not going to bleed. Elias, initiate emergency injunctions against the shipping mergers. Richard, pull cash reserves from the domestic accounts. We are going to buy our own fleet if we have to."
The boardroom doors suddenly swung open. The security guards outside were unconscious on the floor.
Stepping over them was a man who looked like an older, deadlier version of Marcus. He was tall, dressed in a bespoke midnight-blue suit, with striking silver at his temples and eyes as cold as a frozen lake.
Alexander Thorne smiled. It was a terrifying sight.
"Buying your own fleet won't save you, Khloe," Alexander purred, his voice a smooth, cultured baritone laced with French elegance. "Because by tomorrow, I will have frozen your domestic accounts as well."
Elias Vance stood up, pointing a finger. "You are trespassing. Security!"
"I own the security firm that guards this building, Mr. Vance. I bought them three hours ago," Alexander chuckled, walking leisurely toward the table. He stopped right in front of Khloe, looking down at her with dangerous amusement.
"So, you're the little accountant who outsmarted my idiot half-brother," Alexander mused, leaning in. "I must admit, I was impressed when I read the news. Using my father's frozen genetics to bypass the inheritance clause? Utterly brilliant. But you made one fatal miscalculation."
"And what is that?" Khloe asked, refusing to back down, her spine straight and her chin held high.
"You assumed you were the only true heir," Alexander whispered. He reached into his jacket and tossed a thick, ancient-looking leather bound journal onto the table.
"That is my father's original will. The one Eleanor paid to have destroyed," Alexander declared loudly. "In it, he leaves fifty percent of the voting shares to his firstborn son. Me."
The board members gasped.
"It's a forgery," Elias immediately stated.
"Is it?" Alexander smiled thinly. "My lawyers filed it in probate court this morning. A judge has ordered a temporary freeze on all Thorne Industries assets until the document's authenticity can be verified. Which means, as of right now, Khloe, you can't spend a single dime of the company's money. You are paralyzed."
Khloe’s mind raced. He had orchestrated a legal stranglehold. If the company couldn't spend money, it couldn't operate. The stock would crash in days, leaving it vulnerable to a hostile takeover by Aegis Capital.
"You think a piece of ancient paper scares me?" Khloe said, stepping closer to Alexander. She looked up at him, her eyes burning with defiance. "I survived Marcus. I survived Victor Sterling. You are just another parasite trying to steal what my son owns."
Alexander’s smile faded. A flash of pure malice crossed his face.
"Your son owns nothing," Alexander hissed. "Enjoy the penthouse while you can, Khloe. Because by Friday, I am taking the company, the tower, and every cent you have. And if you try to stop me, I’ll make what Marcus did to you look like child’s play."
May you like
He turned and walked out of the boardroom, leaving a stunned, terrified silence in his wake.
Khloe looked at the heavy leather journal on the table. She had three days to save her empire. And to do it, she had to make a deal with the devil.
