CHAPTER 4 — The Fall of a King
The news spread like wildfire.
“Luxury Titan Ousted Overnight.”
“CEO Locked Out of His Own Empire.”
“Who Is Isabella Laurent?”
Marcus watched it unfold from a hotel lobby that would no longer let him check in.
His name meant nothing now.
His accounts were frozen pending investigation.
His allies… vanished.
Even his mistress disappeared before sunrise—taking the robe, the brooch… and whatever illusion of loyalty she had pretended to offer.
For the first time in years, Marcus stood alone.
No empire.
No power.
No one to blame but himself.
He replayed the moment over and over—
The look in Isabella’s eyes.
Not anger.
Not heartbreak.
May you like
Something far more dangerous.
Certainty.
