Chapter 239
No.1
Elisa didn't walk all the way down the hall to the guest room. She took a sharp left, stepping into the shadows of the massive, open-concept kitchen.
She leaned her back against the cool marble of the center island. She picked up a glass and filled it with sparkling water from the fridge dispenser, using the sound of the fizz to mask her breathing. She stood perfectly still, listening to the living room.
The silence out there was heavy and toxic.
August was furious. Elisa could hear the heavy,rhythmic pacing of his boots against the hardwood floor. He was a man who demanded absolute control,and his mother had just humiliated him by hijacking his legal affairs.
No.2
"Simon," August's voice barked out, sharp and uncompromising. "Have the car ready at 6:00 AM.I am going to Long Island to speak with my mother."
Allena panicked. If Germaine was forcing Elisa back
into the picture, Allena's dream of becoming the next Mrs. Chambers was in critical danger. She needed to prove her worth to the group immediately.
Elisa heard the rustle of Allena's ski jacket as she moved toward Devon.
No.3
"Devon," Allena said, her voice artificially bright and loud, desperate to change the subject. "About the conversation we had on the jet. Are you still reviewing the Series A funding round for my new stealth diagnostic firm?"
Devon, eager to break the tension and play the big shot,immediately took the bait.
"Absolutely, Allena," Devon boasted loudly. "Your Al diagnostic models are revolutionary. Browning Venture Capital is prepared to lead the round for the new shell company with a fifty-million-dollar injection."
Allena let out a theatrical sigh of relief. She wanted everyone, especially August, to hear how valuable she was.
No.4
She then turned her attention to the quietest man in the room.
"Cyprian," Allena purred, her voice dripping with persuasion. "What about the Thatcher Family Office?Surely you want to get in on the ground floor of this medical revolution?"
In the kitchen, Elisa took a slow sip of her water.A cold smile touched her lips. She knew exactly how this was going to play out.
The living room was quiet for a moment.
No.5
"I apologize, Allena," Cyprian's voice finally cut through the air. It was smooth, aristocratic, and completely devoid of warmth. "But the Thatcher Family Office will be passing on this opportunity."
Allena's fake smile shattered. "What? Why? Devon just said-"
"Devon runs a venture fund. I run a legacy trust,"Cyprian interrupted coldly. "My risk assessment protocols are significantly stricter. Any investment in the medical Al sector requires a flawless compliance review."
Cyprian paused, and when he spoke again, his words were surgical strikes.
No.6
"My analysts have completely suspended all due diligence on any entity tied to you," Cyprian stated."After Aethel publicly accused your company of corporate espionage and academic fraud**, no sane investment firm would touch your projects. Until the dust settles from your little public apology, your name is** utterly toxic."
The rejection was absolute and public. Cyprian had just called her company a toxic asset in front of her boyfriend.
Devon tried to intervene. "Come on, Cyprian,those clinical issues were minor setbacks-"
"My decision is final," Cyprian snapped, shutting Devon down completely.
No.7
Elisa listened to the heavy, awkward silence that followed. August didn't say a single word to defend Allena.He was a businessman first; he knew Cyprian was right.
Allena was humiliated. The alliance was cracking under the pressure of real money.
Elisa set her glass down on the marble counter. The enemy camp was fractured, driven by greed and ego.
She smoothed the front of her hoodie and walked out of the kitchen, ready to retreat to her room and let them tear each other apart.