THE ASHES OF AMBITION

Chapter 5: The Ashes of Ambition

The world inside Thorne Plaza was a contrast to the chaos on the TV screen. The news anchor was talking about an electrical fire at Brooklyn Medical Center but the marble floors here were cold, silent and didn't care.

Avery slumped against the elevator wall, her phone slipping from her fingers. "Leo " she whispered, the name of a prayer. "He can't move. He's in the high-dependency wing. He wouldn't have been able to get out."

Silas was already moving. He caught the phone before it hit the floor, his eyes darting between the screen and Avery's crumbling face. The tough CEO who had trapped her in a vault was gone; in his place was a man who acted fast and precisely.

"Marcus!" Silas barked at his head of security. "I want a team at Brooklyn Medical now. If Leo Sterling isn't in an ambulance in ten minutes don't bother coming back."

"Silas he's my brother " Avery gasped, rushing for the door as it opened into the penthouse suite. "I have to go. I don't care about the press conference or the shares."

Silas grabbed her shoulders holding her firm. "Listen to me Avery. If you go there now you're walking into Julian's hands. That fire wasn't an accident; it was bait. He wants you out in the open vulnerable before you can sign those papers. If you want to save Leo you have to stay and become the person Julian is afraid of."

"Hes my only family " she hissed, tears finally blurring her vision. "Unlike you I actually care about people, not money."

Silas flinched, a flicker of pain crossing his face before he covered it up. "I am using every resource Thorne Industries has to pull him out.. If you leave Julian wins the company, the legacy and eventually he'll find a way to finish what he started with your brother. Sign the papers. Claim the Sterling chair. Use the power to burn Julian down."

Avery looked at him searching for a lie. She saw her own desperation reflected in his eyes. She realized then that Silas wasn't just fighting for his company; he was fighting for a chance to make things right.

She wiped her face with her hand, her blazer stained with vault soot and tears. "Fine. Give me the pen."

They walked into the boardroom. Julian Thorne was already there sitting at the head of the table with three lawyers beside him. He looked up with a sympathetic smile on his face.

"Silas, thank God you're safe, " Julian said, his voice dripping with venom. "I heard about the vault malfunction.. Who is this... Delightful little temp? Shouldn't she be at the hospital? I heard there was an accident in Brooklyn."

Avery didn't flinch. She walked to the table pulling the Sterling ledger from her bag and slamming it down in front of Julian. "The 'temp' has a name, Julian.. She has forty-one percent of the voting shares of this company."

The blood drained from Julian's face. "That's impossible. Alistair's line was extinguished."

"Alistair had a daughter, " Silas said, stepping up behind Avery, his hand resting on the back of her chair. ". As of three minutes ago she has officially filed her claim with the Zurich-Manhattan Bank. The merger is dead. The hostile takeover is over. You're sitting in her seat."

Julian's eyes darted between them the predatory smile returning, sharper this time. "Even if you have the shares you don't have the stomach for this girl. You're a charity case in a suit."

"I'm the woman who just sent your offshore account details to the SEC " Avery countered, her voice steady and deadly. ". I'm the woman who is going to watch the police walk you out of this building."

Julian laughed, a rattling sound. He stood up leaning over the table. "You think you've won? Check your phone again Avery."

Her heart skipped a beat. She looked at Silas's phone, which was still in his hand. A new message had appeared. It wasn't a text; it was a video feed.

The camera was shaky showing an industrial hallway. In the center of the frame was a hospital gurney. A pale thin man—Leo—was strapped to it. Beside him stood a man in a technician's uniform holding a syringe over Leo's IV line.

"The fire was the opening act " Julian whispered. "I don't need the shares if there's no one left to inherit them. Sign the transfer of rights over to me. The technician gives your brother a very permanent sedative."

Avery looked at the screen at the pen in her hand. The power of the Sterling empire was an inch away. Her brother's life was a heartbeat from ending.

Silas moved. Julian's lawyers stepped into his path.

"The choice is yours Avery " Julian said, checking his gold watch. "You have sixty seconds before my friend in the hallway gets bored."

Avery looked at Silas. He was frozen, his jaw working as he calculated a move that didn't exist. She looked back at the screen. Leo looked small and innocent.

"I'll sign, " Avery whispered.

"No!" Silas roared.

Avery ignored him, her hand trembling as she brought the pen to the signature line of the transfer deed Julian pushed toward her.. Just as the tip touched the paper the video feed erupted.

The technician was suddenly tackled from behind by a shadow in gear. The syringe shattered on the floor. A second shadow—Marcus—appeared on screen giving a thumbs-up to the camera.

"Leo is secure " Silas's voice boomed, though he hadn't spoken.

He pulled a remote from his pocket. He had been playing a delayed loop of the feed to Julian the time waiting for his team to confirm the rescue.

Avery dropped the pen as if it were hot.

"Your turn, Julian " Silas said, the doors to the boardroom bursting open as federal agents flooded the room.

As Julian was hauled away screaming threats Avery felt her strength leave her legs. She began to fall. Silas was there catching her pulling her into his chest.

"He's safe, " Silas murmured into her hair. "I promise you he's safe."

Avery clung to him the heiress and the billionaire standing amidst the wreckage of a dynasty.. As she looked over Silas's shoulder she saw a final detail, on the boardroom monitor.

The "Friend" who had sent the letter was finally calling. The caller ID didn't show a number. It showed a name that made Avery's heart stop over again.

Alistair Sterling.

Her father wasn't dead.. The real war was only just beginning.