Chapter 16 - The Corporate War

Logan Industries Headquarters

By 01:00 PM, Olivia is sitting in a high-backed leather chair in a glass boardroom that overlooks the entire city.

Sebastian sits at the head of the table, looking like a king. Aiden sits across from him, looking like a man who wants to be anywhere else.

"The merger with the Vanguard Group is the priority," Sebastian says, slamming a folder onto the table. "They have the shipping lanes we need. If we sign this by Friday, our profits triple."

Olivia looks at the documents. She’s spent years working in a corporate firm; she knows how to read a balance sheet better than she knows how to paint.

She notices a small detail in the "Environmental Liabilities" section.

She leans over, her voice soft and "pitiful," exactly the way Sebastian expects a trophy wife to sound.

"Oh, shipping lanes? That sounds so complicated," she says, smiling sweetly at the Vanguard Group representative.

"Does that mean you've already handled those pesky lawsuits in the Gulf? The ones about the oil leaks?"

The room goes dead silent.

The Vanguard rep pales. Sebastian’s hand freezes on his cane.

"Lawsuits?" Sebastian asks, his voice low and dangerous.

"I read about it in a... gossip magazine," Olivia says, looking innocent. "Something about a massive fine that’s about to hit.

I’m sure it’s nothing, right? I just wouldn't want Aiden to marry into a company that’s about to go bankrupt."

Aiden looks at her. He knows she didn't read that in a gossip magazine. He knows she just threw a grenade into his father’s biggest deal.

The meeting descends into chaos. The Vanguard reps start stuttering. Sebastian is forced to delay the signing to "investigate."

As the room clears out, Sebastian leans over to Olivia. He smells like expensive cigars and old death.

"You're smarter than you look, little girl," he whispers. "But be careful. Smart girls usually end up the unhappiest."

He storms out. Olivia is left alone with Aiden. He stands up, gathering his coat. He walks past her, but stops at the door.

"The Gulf lawsuits were settled privately six months ago," he says without looking at her. "They aren't a threat.

But the fact that you knew about them means you’ve been digging where you shouldn't."

He turns to look at her, a strange, dark look in his eyes.

"You just cost my father fifty million dollars. I should be angry."

"And are you?" Olivia asks, her heart racing.

Aiden looks at her, and for a split second, a tiny, ghost of a smile touches his lips.

"I've never liked that shipping deal anyway."

Olivia walks out of the building, feeling like she’s walking on air. She did it. She hit Sebastian where it hurts - his wallet.

She looks at her phone.

A text from Chloe: "I have it. The recording. I have everything. Meet me. Tomorrow. Same place."

Olivia stares at the screen. Her hands shake.

Here's a chance.

She is not going to waste it.

But she is also not going to let Sebastian win.

She types back: "Keep it safe. Do not tell anyone. I will explain everything tomorrow."

She hits send.

But as she reaches the sidewalk, her phone buzzes. It’s a text from an unknown number.

“Nice move at the meeting, Olivia. But while you were playing CEO, your sister Chloe just accepted a 'scholarship' from the Logan Foundation. She’s on a private jet to the orientation right now. Hope she likes heights.”

Olivia’s world turns black. She looks up at the sky, searching for a plane she can't see. Sebastian didn't get mad. He got even.

THE TRAP

The door closes behind them. Chloe stands on the porch of Doctor Weiller's house, the small drive clutched in her hand, her heart still pounding from the confession they just heard.

The old man's words echo in her head. I killed him. I killed Alexander Hughes.

Mark is beside her, pale and quiet. He has not said a word since they walked out. She does not blame him. What do you say after something like that?

The street is empty. The houses are old, dark, their windows blind. A dog barks somewhere in the distance. The sun is starting to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple.

"We need to go," Chloe says. "We need to get out of here."

Mark nods. He pulls out his phone. "I can call a taxi. Give me a minute."

Chloe paces the sidewalk, her eyes scanning the street. She feels exposed. Watched. The hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

She thinks about what Doctor Weiller said. Sebastian Logan will come for you. She hopes he is too late.

"There's a taxi coming," Mark says. "ETA five minutes."

Chloe exhales. Five minutes. They can wait five minutes.

Mark shoves his hands in his pockets. He looks at her sideways. "So," he says. "That was intense."

Chloe almost laughs. "That is one word for it."

"I did not understand half of what he said. Something about poison? And your father?" He hesitates. "Chloe, what is going on?"

She looks at him. He is her friend. He helped her without asking questions. He deserves the truth.

"My father was murdered," she says. "That man helped. And now I have the proof."

Mark's face goes pale. "Murdered? Chloe....."

"Not here." She holds up a hand. "I will explain everything. Just not here. Not now."

He nods. He does not push. She is grateful.

A taxi appears at the end of the street. Its headlights cut through the fading light. It pulls up in front of them, engine humming.

Chloe opens the back door. Slides in. Mark follows.

"Where to?" the driver asks. His voice is low. Scratchy. She cannot see his face. The visor is pulled down, shadowing his eyes.

Chloe gives Mark's address first. He does not live far. Then she will go home. Then she will call Olivia. Then they will figure out what to do next.

The taxi pulls away from the curb.

The air inside is warm. Too warm. Chloe rolls down her window. The breeze helps, but something feels wrong.

The seats are worn. The smell is strange. Like chemicals. Like something sweet and cloying.

She looks at Mark. He is rubbing his eyes.

"You okay?" she asks.

"Yeah. Just tired." He yawns. "Long day."

She yawns too. Her eyelids are heavy. Her limbs feel like lead.

The taxi turns a corner. The buildings blur past. She tries to focus, but her head is spinning. The world is tilting.

"Mark," she says. Her voice sounds far away.

He does not answer. His head lolls to the side. His eyes are closed.

Chloe reaches for him. Her hand does not go where she wants it to. Everything is slow. Syrupy.