Chapter 9
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Alexander Sterling was not a name Julian recognized, which made the man infinitely more dangerous. Men who operated at the highest echelons of global finance usually left massive digital footprints, but Sterling possessed the terrifying calm of an apex predator entirely accustomed to moving in the dark.
"You are trespassing," Julian stated coldly, refusing to yield an inch of ground in the lavish living room.
"Actually, I am a guest of your charming stepmother," Alexander smiled, walking over to pour himself a drink from Victoria's crystal decanter. "Victoria and I share a mutual interest. We both believe that your sudden pivot to 'ethical business' is a pathetic waste of the Vance legacy."
"The Vance legacy is exactly what I say it is," Julian countered, his jaw locked. "You launched the cyber-attack."
"A minor stress test," Alexander corrected, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "I needed to see how quickly your new cybersecurity division would respond. I must admit, I was slightly disappointed. It took you three hours to trace the routing back to Obsidian."
"You want my company," Julian said, diagnosing the threat instantly.
"I want Vanguard-Vance, yes," Alexander nodded slowly. "But I also want the absolute humiliation of your new, pristine reputation. You see, Julian, I made a fortune heavily shorting the industries you aggressively regulated out of existence last year. Your newfound morality cost my syndicate nearly a billion dollars."
Victoria leaned against the bar, her eyes shining with vindictive triumph. "Alexander has the capital to bleed your stock completely dry, Julian. By next month, Vanguard-Vance will be forced into a hostile takeover, and I will be reinstated to the board."
"You are delusional, Victoria," Julian said, a dark, lethal chuckle escaping his chest. He turned his full, terrifying focus back to Alexander. "You think a digital short-sell will break me? I destroyed my own father to protect my family. You are nothing but a minor inconvenience."
"We shall see," Alexander replied smoothly, setting his glass down. "Enjoy your flight back to Southampton, Julian. Give my regards to Elena and the beautiful little Clara. It would be a shame if the stress of poverty affected the child’s upbringing."
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The mention of Clara caused a violent, primal rage to explode in Julian's chest. He closed the distance in a fraction of a second, grabbing Alexander by the lapels of his expensive suit and slamming him brutally against the wall.
"If you ever say my daughter's name again," Julian whispered, his voice a promise of absolute death, "I will not fight you in a boardroom. I will bury you in the ocean."
