Chapter 18
The boardroom on the top floor of Blackwell Group headquarters felt suffocating–like the air itself had thickened with tension.
Julian Blackwell slammed his tablet against the wall, the screen shattering with a sharp crack that made every executive flinch.
“Three days. Three damn days, and our market value’s been cut in half!” His bloodshot eyes swept over the room. “Who leaked the financial fraud?!”
The CFO trembled as he spoke up, “Mr. Blackwell, the audit report shows eight billion dollars unaccounted for..
“Enough!” Julian yanked the man forward by his tie. “I pay you to fix problems, not dig up more!”
He spun around toward the legal team, “Sue Hawthorne Group for commercial defamation. Now!”
The general counsel wiped sweat from his brow. “Mr. Blackwell, Wesley Hawthorne’s evidence is airtight. They even have secret recordings of our bank dealings…”
Julian froze
Releasing the CFO’s tie, he stalked over to the floor–to–ceiling window, staring out at the glittering East Coast financial district. “Fine. Perfect.” A cold smirk curled his lips as he dialed a number. “Miles Carrington, activate P
Plan B.
At the top of Hawthorne Group’s tower, Serena Whitmore leaned casually against Wesley Hawthorne’s desk, flipping through a file. “Blackwell’s offloading all their overseas assets,” she said, tapping a line of data. “Looks like they’re going all in.”
Wesley didn’t look up from the documents he was signing “The Carringtons and Hales pulled out of three joint projects with us this morning.”
Serena chuckled softly. “Declan Price’s worse. He’s trying to poach our chip R&D team.
Wesley finally raised his head, a flash of ice in his gold–rimmed eyes. “Let him try.”
Serena arched a brow.
“The core team members signed non–competes ages ago,” Wesley said, removing his glasses and rubbing his temple. “Declan’s staring down a two–billion–dollar breach penalty.”
Leaning forward, Serena traced the crease between his brows with a fingertip. “You know, Mr. Hawthorne, you look kinda hot when you’re running on no sleep.”
Wesley caught her teasing hand. “Miss Whitmore, this is an office.”
“So Her lips curved into a playful smirk. “It’s not like-”
A sharp knock interrupted them. Lin, Wesley’s assistant, burst in. “Mr. Hawthorne, Julian Blackwell’s teamed up with the four major amilies. They’re shorting our renewable energy sector!”
Seter and Wesley exchanged a glance, their lips twitching into matching, knowing grins.
The next week became a brutal corporate battlefield.
Juliata pulled every string to tank Hawthome Group’s stock price–only for Wesley to capitalize, buying back shares on the cheap. Miles Carrington Tried to lure away key talent but was hamstrung by non–compete agreements that drained his cash flow. Grayson Hale spread rumors about product quality, but Serena shut him down with a live–streamed tour of their production line. Declan Price fared worst. His blockchain venture was exposed as a Ponzi scheme, turning him into an overnight joke.
*Ms Whitmore, Mr Hawthorne,” Lin reported breathlessly as she entered the CEO’s office, “Julian Blackwell just mortgaged the Blackwell family estate”
Serena, in the middle of tying Wesley’s tie, froze. “Has he lost his mind?”
Wesley clasped her hand. “Desperate dogs jump walls.”
Serena laughed, collapsing against his chest.
Meanwhile, Blackwell Group was in chaos.
“Useless! All of you are useless!” Julian trashed his office, papers and glass scattering everywhere. “What about the bank? Why won’t they extend the loan?”
His secretary trembled. “Wesley Hawthorne… he got the bank regulators involved…”
Julian stiffened. Snatching his car keys, he stormed out–only to be swarmed by reporters in the underground garage.
“Mr. Blackwell, any comment on the embezzlement of employee pensions?”
“Mr. Blackwell! Is it true your father disinherited you?”
“Mr. Blackwell, Evangeline Hart claims she’s pregnant with your child. Care to confirm?”
Julian pushed through to his car, only to find Evangeline already seated in the passenger seat.
“Julian,” she said, eyes red and brimming with tears, “I have a way to turn this around…”
“Get out!” He shoved her away. “If you hadn’t pissed off Serena, none of this would’ve happened!‘ Evangeline slammed against the car door, her tears turning into venomous resentment.
Late that night, Serena drove alone back to her apartment in the South End.
H
She parked and stepped out, but before she could turn, rapid footsteps sounded behind her. A cloth soaked in ether clamped over her
mouth and
nose.
Struggling, she caught a glimpse of Evangeline’s twisted face. “Time to pay your debts, princess…
In her fading consciousness, Serena’s hand slipped into her pocket, fingers brushing her phone.
Wesley was in a meeting when his phone buzzed. A location pin flashed on the screen, followed by a red exclamation mark: SOS triggered
Every head turned as their boss slammed his fist on the table. “Get the car. Now!”
