Chapter 4 - The Serpent in the Shadows
Julian Croft sat in the penthouse suite of the Croft Financial Tower, three miles south of the Solmere Hotel.
At fifty-five, Julian was an imposing figure—impeccably groomed, wearing a ten-thousand-dollar bespoke suit, swirling a glass of rare scotch as he stared at the news reports flashing across his wall-mounted television.
HEADLINE: SOLMERE EMPIRE HEIR ALIVE; HARRISON STERLING ARRESTED FOR FRAUD AND ATTEMPTED MURDER.
The door to his private office flew open, and Victoria Sterling sprinted inside, her white silk dress torn at the hem, her face ruined by running mascara.
"Julian!" Victoria sobbed, throwing herself toward his desk. "You have to help us! They arrested my father! That... that street rat Charlotte Vale took over the hotel! She stripped our accounts! The federal marshals are impounding our estate in North Oak!"
Julian didn't even turn his head. He took a slow sip of his scotch, enjoying the bite of the alcohol before setting the glass down on a marble coaster.
"I warned your father, Victoria," Julian said, his voice smooth, cold, and entirely devoid of emotion. "I told him that leaving Charlotte’s body in the sea without visual confirmation was an unpardonable mistake. Harrison was sloppy."
"Julian, please!" Victoria begged, reaching for his arm. "My father did everything you asked! He poisoned Victoria-Rose, he transferred the deeds to your shell companies—you owe us!"
Julian turned his head slowly, his grey eyes piercing her like needles. He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a linen handkerchief, and carefully wiped the spot on his sleeve where Victoria’s hand had touched him.
"I owe you nothing," Julian said softly. "In fact, your father’s incompetence has compromised my entire network. Did you really think I loved your father? Or you?"
Victoria froze, her breath catching in her throat. "What... what are you saying?"
Two heavy-set men in dark tactical uniforms stepped out from the shadows near the door.
"Take Miss Sterling to the secondary estate in New Jersey," Julian ordered casually, standing up and buttoning his jacket. "Keep her comfortable, but ensure she has zero access to phones, internet, or press. If Charlotte Vale wants to play chess, I need to make sure I control all the remaining pawns."
"Julian! No! Let me go! You monster!" Victoria screamed as the two men grabbed her arms and dragged her kicking and screaming out of the penthouse.
May you like
Julian walked over to his desk, picked up a secure satellite phone, and dialed a private number.
"Initiate Phase Two," Julian commanded into the receiver. "Collapse the Solmere stock price on the European markets before dawn. I want Charlotte Vale bankrupt by the time the sun rises."
