CHAPTER 1: The Fall Begins
The moment the doors shut behind Isabella, the illusion shattered.
Lucas’s hands trembled as he refreshed his banking app again and again, as if denial could reverse reality.
“Fix this,” he snapped at Richard, his voice cracking. “Call someone.”
Richard was already dialing, his authority gone, replaced by panic. “The board isn’t answering.”
“They won’t,” came a quiet voice.
Sophie.
For the first time, her confidence had cracked. Her hand slipped from her belly as she stared at Lucas like she didn’t recognize him anymore.
“What did you drag me into?”
Lucas turned on her. “This is temporary.”
But even he didn’t believe it.
Across the city, inside a glass-walled boardroom, Isabella took her seat at the head of the table.
Every executive stood.
Every eye was on her.
May you like
“Shall we begin?” she said calmly.
And just like that, the takeover became official.
