Chapter 6 - A Billionaire’s Gambit
"You have ten seconds to step back into that elevator, Richard," Eleanor said, her voice dripping with ice. "Before my security detail removes you by force."
Richard didn't move. He casually unbuttoned his suit jacket and walked toward the glass wall looking out over Central Park, as if he were visiting a museum.
"Your security detail consists of off-duty cops and former soldiers, Eleanor," Richard said softly, turning to face her. "Mine consists of men who run sovereign intelligence agencies. Let's not play games."
He glanced past her toward the sofa, where Maya had frozen, staring at him with eyes full of sheer, unadulterated terror.
"Hello, Maya," Richard said gently, his tone mimicking that of a loving father. "Daddy's missed you, sweetheart. You've caused quite a fuss."
Maya shrank into the cushions, her tiny hands gripping her sketchbook until the paper tore.
"Don't look at her," Eleanor snapped, stepping directly into his line of sight. "What do you want, Vance?"
"I want what's mine," Richard said, his smile disappearing entirely, replaced by a cold, flat mask of absolute malice. "My daughters belong to me. My wife's trust fund belongs to me. And this merger belongs to me."
"Your wife wrote a statement, Richard," Eleanor said, leaning against the mahogany table. "She detailed the physical abuse, the forced confinement, the way you stripped her of her legal rights using crooked doctors and bribed judges."
Richard chuckled—a dry, soulless sound. "Sarah is a certified schizophrenic, Eleanor. I have three board-certified psychiatrists who will swear under oath that she has been suffering from violent hallucinations since the birth of Maya. Who do you think a judge will believe? A desperate, mentally ill runaway... or a billionaire philanthropist whose foundation funds half the hospitals in the state?"
"I know about Blackwood Cove," Eleanor stated plainly.
Richard’s posture stiffened slightly. The calm mask cracked for a fraction of a millisecond.
"I know you have her locked in that facility, Richard," Eleanor continued, taking a step toward him. "And I know that if I send federal marshals to that dock with a search warrant, your pristine corporate reputation won't survive the five o'clock news."
Richard took two steps forward, closing the distance between them until he was standing less than two feet away. He leaned down, his voice dropping to a harsh, toxic whisper.
"Listen to me very carefully, Eleanor," Richard said. "You are an impressive woman. You built a financial powerhouse in a world dominated by men. But you are playing in a league you don't understand. If you proceed with this, I won't just take my daughters back. I will short Montgomery Enterprises into bankruptcy. I will leak doctored financial statements to the SEC that will have you under federal indictment by Monday. I will destroy your name, your company, and your freedom."
"Is that a threat?" Eleanor asked, her chin lifted high.
May you like
"It's a promise," Richard whispered. "You have until six o'clock tonight to hand over the children. If you don't... I tear your world down to the bedrock."
He turned on his heel, walked back to the elevator, and stepped inside. The doors slid shut, leaving behind a silence so thick it felt suffocating.
