CHAPTER 2: The Illusion of Power
Nathan didn’t look back.
He told himself he didn’t need to.
The elevator ride down felt longer than usual, but he masked it with a smirk, scrolling through his phone. Camille’s name flashed again.
This time, he answered.
“Finally,” Camille said, her voice smooth, confident. “I thought you’d changed your mind.”
Nathan chuckled lightly. “Not a chance.”
But something in his tone—just for a second—felt… thinner.
By morning, everything had changed.
It started small.
A declined transaction.
Then another.
Nathan frowned, trying a different card. Same result.
“Probably a system error,” he muttered.
By noon, his assistant called, panic barely contained.
“Sir… there’s been a freeze on multiple accounts. Investors are pulling out. And—there’s something else…”
“What?” Nathan snapped.
“A controlling interest in Brooks Holdings… it’s been transferred.”
Nathan went still.
“That’s impossible.”
But it wasn’t.
Because by the time he stormed into the office, security didn’t recognize his access.
By the time he demanded answers, the board had already convened—without him.
And at the head of the table…
A screen.
Elena appeared, live, composed, untouchable.
Wearing white—but no longer a bride.
A strategist.
“You built your empire on my connections,” she said calmly. “On my trust.”
Nathan’s jaw tightened. “What is this?”
Elena didn’t raise her voice.
“This is the part where you realize… none of it was ever yours.”
Silence filled the room.
Then she leaned slightly closer to the camera.
“You walked out,” she said. “I closed the door.”
The screen went black.
May you like
And just like that—
Nathan Brooks was no longer in control.
