Chapter 2: The Lion’s Den
The next morning, Nathan walked into the corporate headquarters of the family’s restaurant empire. The glass doors parted, and the murmur of executives faded as his cold presence commanded the room.
Sitting at the head of the boardroom table was Victoria.
She wore a pristine white suit, her blonde hair flawlessly styled, diamonds glittering at her throat. She looked like a grieving widow who had bravely taken on the burden of a multi-million-dollar company.
"Nathan, darling," Victoria smiled, a venomous curve of red lipstick. "You’re late. We were just discussing the liquidation of the downtown assets. The ones your father… and poor, sweet Emily… cherished so much."
Nathan didn’t sit. He placed his hands on the mahogany table, leaning in close. "I wouldn't sign those liquidation papers if I were you, Victoria."
Her smile faltered slightly. "And why is that? As majority shareholder, my word is final."
"Because dead ghosts can't sign away their shares, can they?" Nathan said softly.
Victoria’s eyes flickered with a microsecond of sheer panic before her mask slammed back into place. "I have no idea what you’re talking about. Your grief over your sister is making you delusional."
"We’ll see," Nathan straightened his suit jacket. He knew he couldn't play his hand yet. Emily needed time to recover. The children needed to feel safe. If Victoria knew Emily was alive and in the city, she had the money and power to make them disappear for good.
May you like
Nathan turned to leave, tossing a file onto the table. "By the way, I’ve frozen the offshore accounts. The board will be investigating your recent transfers."
As Nathan walked out, he heard the sharp crack of Victoria’s pen snapping in her hands. The hunt was on, and the prey was starting to sweat.
