Chapter 8
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The humid, suffocating heat of Palm Beach hit Julian the moment he stepped off the private jet. It was 3:00 AM, but he had no intention of waiting for the sun to rise. He bypassed his usual security detail, taking only his most trusted personal driver, and headed straight for the exclusive, heavily gated retirement community where Victoria had been exiled.
The community guards recognized Julian’s face immediately and opened the gates without a single question.
Julian walked up the pristine, manicured driveway of Victoria’s sprawling Spanish-style villa. He didn't bother knocking. He used the master override code on the electronic keypad—a code he had personally installed to ensure he always had access to her movements. The heavy wooden door clicked open, and he stepped into the silent, air-conditioned foyer.
"I know you're awake, Victoria," Julian's voice echoed through the dark, opulent house, cold and sharp as a blade.
A light flicked on in the formal living room. Victoria stood near a crystal wet bar, pouring herself a glass of amber liquid. She wore a silk robe, looking remarkably composed, entirely devoid of the fear she should have been feeling.
"Julian," Victoria smiled, a thin, venomous expression. "To what do I owe the pleasure of a home invasion at this hour? Did you miss me at the gala?"
"Obsidian Holdings," Julian said, closing the distance between them, his towering frame projecting absolute menace. "You authorized a massive short-sell on Vanguard-Vance using legacy internal codes. You violated the terms of your exile."
Victoria took a slow sip of her drink, completely unbothered by his rage.
"I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about," she lied smoothly. "I spend my days at the spa and my evenings playing cards. I haven't looked at a financial ledger in a year."
"I have the digital signature, Victoria!" Julian roared, shattering her calm facade. "I can have the federal authorities drag you out of this villa in handcuffs by sunrise for corporate espionage and market manipulation."
"You won't do that," a new, deep voice echoed from the shadowed hallway behind Julian.
Julian spun around, his muscles tensing for a physical altercation. Stepping out of the shadows was a tall, impeccably tailored man with silver hair and cold, calculating blue eyes.
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"And who the hell are you?" Julian demanded.
"My name is Alexander Sterling," the man said, stepping into the light. "And I am the one who is going to take everything you love away from you, Julian."
