Chapter 7 - The Empire of Stone
Six months later, the architectural world was abuzz with a name it had nearly forgotten.
Brutalist Holdings LLC had just won the global design contract for the new Manhattan Municipal Center—a massive, multi-billion-dollar public project aimed at revitalizing community spaces across the five boroughs.
On a crisp autumn afternoon, Elena stood on the observation deck of the newly acquired downtown tower that had once belonged to Richard Sterling. The glass walls reflected the golden light of the late afternoon sun, stretching out over the city she had once thought had defeated her.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket.
It wasn't a shutoff notice. It wasn't a bill.
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It was a text from Clara Vance: Are you coming to the gallery opening tonight, or are you too busy being a ruthless corporate titan?
Elena smiled, looking down at her reflection in the glass. She wasn't wearing charcoal silk today. She wore a simple cashmere sweater, comfortable shoes, and the quiet, immovable confidence of a woman who knew exactly how much weight she could carry.
