Chapter 4

Faced with betrayal, I killed whatever mercy I had left.

At the board meeting that afternoon.

I plugged a flash drive into the computer and cast it onto the huge screen.

Every executive in the room gasped.

It wasn’t a business plan. It was Jax’s personal bank statements.

"Three months ago. Presidential Suite at the Peninsula. Fifty-eight grand."

"Two months ago. Private jet rental to Miami. A hundred and two grand."

"Last week. Custom Patek Philippe. A hundred and twenty-six grand."

I tapped the glaring numbers on the screen and shot an icy look at Jax at the head of the table.

"Jax, you can use company funds for your little plaything." I looked around the room. "But you better get your facts straight on who's lying to who."

Whispers erupted around the table.

The room looked at the two of them with utter contempt.

Jax turned pale, then green. The vein in his forehead throbbed.

I ignored him and barked at the logistics guys, "Put my office back exactly how it was. If a single piece of paper is missing, you answer to me."

Chris moved out with his men immediately.

He even pulled out a bottle of disinfectant and sprayed it everywhere right in front of Bianca.

"Disgusting. Smells like cheap perfume," Chris sneered loudly.

"Fine! Just fine!" Jax yelled, losing his mind.

Completely humiliated, he couldn't sit there another second. He grabbed a teary-eyed Bianca and dragged her out of the room like a beaten dog.

I had barely sat down when my phone buzzed.

It was my father. Don Marco.

I answered. My father's voice came through, commanding but weathered.

"Alessia. The Family's jet is in the air. Are you sure you're coming home?"

Hearing that familiar Sicilian accent, my cold heart finally felt a sliver of warmth.

"Yes, Papa. I'm coming home," I said softly. "I know Mama is sick. Don't tell her I'm coming. I want to surprise her."

After that board meeting, Jax dropped all pretenses.

He and Bianca ran rampant, flaunting their affair every single day.

Bianca strutted around like she owned the place, wearing even more expensive clothes, even meddling in expense approvals for different departments.

Chris was so pissed he barged into my office three times a day.

"Alessia, she's blocking my team's budget! The bitch is on a power trip!"

I took a sip of black coffee and patted Chris on the shoulder.

"Hold steady." I looked out the blinds at Bianca's arrogant back and smirked. Let her run wild. The higher they fly, the harder they fall.

Until the fifth time.

Bianca didn't even knock. She barged right into my office.

She slammed a mundane file on my desk and shrieked, "Alessia, why are you still clinging to this place? Jax doesn't love you at all! Just pack up and get the hell out. It's better for everyone!"

Jax doesn't love you. The words hung in the air.

Fine. Let's see what his love is worth.

Let's put a price tag on it.

I set my pen down and slowly stood up.

I walked over and reached out, adjusting the collar of her brand-new Dior blazer.

"Bianca, you're in such a rush to take my spot. Let's play a bigger game."

I looked at her, deadpan, and dropped the bait.

"I'll bet my 49% stake in Apex."

Bianca froze, staring at me defensively.

"You go ask Jax for 10% of his shares," I said, word by word. "If he gives them to you, I forfeit my entire stake. I walk away with nothing."

I watched her pupils dilate and tossed in the final chip.

"And if he says no... you disappear. From this company, and from my life. For good."

Bianca went white.

Asking for shares meant challenging Jax’s absolute control. A death wish.

But the 49% payout and the dare were too sweet. Greed swallowed her fear.

She gritted her teeth and glared at me. "Fine! You'll regret this!"

A few days later.

Bianca walked into my office in heels, strutting like a victorious peacock.

Jax walked in behind her. He looked conflicted.

Smack.

Bianca slammed a share transfer agreement on my desk, shaking with excitement.

"Alessia, open your damn eyes and read it!"

I picked up the contract. Scanned the numbers.

15%.

Jax actually gave her 15%.

Just to get rid of me, he diluted his own equity down to 36%. He just surrendered his absolute majority.

What an incredibly stupid man.

I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing.

Seeing me laughing instead of crying, Jax shifted uncomfortably.

He tried to hold onto his CEO ego, clearing his throat to explain.

"It's just a little reward for Bianca. She's been through a lot lately. She deserves it."

He looked at me with the arrogance of a winner.

Like he could already picture me begging on my knees with nothing left.

"But high society on Wall Street is all about credibility. Even a private bet is a bet. You lost. Pay up."