Chapter 40: Business War Gets Real

My phone went off at 5:47 AM, pulling me out of the first good sleep I'd had in weeks. Maya's voice was in total panic.

"Bella, big problems. You need to get to the office ASAP."

I was up like a shot. "What's going on?"

"Three of our biggest contracts? Terminated overnight. Just like that. The reason? 'Restructuring priorities.'"

My blood went cold. These contracts were nearly forty percent of Romano Enterprises' money right now. All three companies called on the same night?

"Yeah, within a couple hours of each other. And get this, Bella, someone slipped our secret plans to our rivals. Info on the Nakamura project is already all over the place."

I was already throwing on clothes, thinking fast. The Nakamura project was our best work; losing it like this would cost us millions and kill our edge.

"Maya, call an emergency board meeting for eight AM. And get our lawyers on the phone in half an hour."

"Already on it. But hey, the media's blowing up my phone, asking about 'problems' at Romano Enterprises and if the recent crap in your personal life is messing with your ability to lead."

That made my blood run even colder. Someone wasn't just hitting our business; they were trying to trash my name, too.

"I'll be there in forty. And Maya? Check everyone who had access to those contracts and plans. Someone on the inside spilled."

After I hung up, I looked at myself in the mirror with all the tiredness and stress I couldn't hide. For weeks, Sophia's been messing with me, I've been trying to deal with Emma's health issues, and patching things up with Mikel have stretched me way too thin. And now, someone's attacking the company I've spent five years building.

Someone knocked softly on my bedroom door. "Bella? You okay?"

It was Mikel's voice, showing worry and closeness from our discussion yesterday. After we almost kissed and he was there for Emma, things had totally changed between us.

"Come in," I said, still in my robe but needing him there.

He came in wearing pajama pants and a t-shirt, his hair a mess, but his eyes were instantly focused on me.

"What happened?"

"Someone's messing with Romano Enterprises. Contracts cancelled, info leaked, a smear campaign saying I can't handle things." I turned to him. "This is planned, Mikel. Too organized."

He looked angry. "They're trying to wreck your company while you're dealing with Emma and everything happening with us."

"Exactly. And I can't go to war while I'm worried about Sophia getting to Emma or Thomas making threats." I felt tears welling up. "I'm getting hit from every direction, and I can't protect everything."

Mikel came closer, putting his hands on my shoulders. "Hey, look at me."

I looked into his eyes, where I saw determination and love.

"You're not alone here," he said. "Anything happening to Romano Enterprises, we're dealing with it together."

"Mikel, this isn't your problem—"

"It is if it's hurting Emma and you," he cut in. "Plus, if someone is attacking Romano Enterprises, I'd bet Sterling Industries is also facing similar problems."

I didn't think about that. "You think they're after both?"

"Let me check. If I'm right, we fight back together." He smiled. "Looks like someone totally messed with the wrong families."

I heard Mikel talking on the phone, sounding serious. By the time I came out, he was dressed in a suit, looking grim.

"Sterling Industries lost major government contracts overnight," he said. "Something about regulations, which the lawyers say is made up. Plus, our stock price is taking a hit because someone's selling off a lot of stock."

I felt sick. "The same thing is happening to us."

"Which means we're fighting someone who knows both companies and is rich enough to hit us from all sides." Mikel started thinking fast. "This isn't Sophia doing this by herself. She doesn't have the brains or money."

"Thomas," I whispered, putting it all together. "Elena's brother has been plotting this for years."

"And now he's trying to use our family issues to cover his attack." Mikel grabbed his phone. "I'm calling Lucas. And if Thomas is behind it all, Emma's in even more danger than we know."

While Mikel arranged security, I read through the emails Maya sent. All the termination language was similar across all of the companies, meaning it's coordinated.

"Mikel," I asked, looking up, "what if this isn't just about getting back at Elena? What if Thomas is trying to buy our companies?"

He looked at me, understanding. "He makes trouble, drops the companies' value, then comes in with financing and takes control."

"Exactly. He destroys us, then acts as the hero." I felt angry. "He's using Emma's life and our relationship against us in a takeover."

"Then we don't let him see us freak out." Mikel spoke with authority. "We get our crap together, work together, and show him what Romano-Sterling can do."

Driving to the office felt like getting ready for war. Maya and the legal team had arrived early, and the conference room was busy with us figuring out what was going on.

"This is too planned to be an accident," our lawyer said. "Someone who knows both companies is helping the competition."

"Can we find who's doing it?"

"We're trying, but they've covered everything. Shell companies, accounts in other countries, law firms acting as middlemen."

When Mikel came in with his team, our crisis meeting became something bigger. We were now two powerful companies figuring out how to deal with things.

"Sterling Industries is getting attacked too," he told everyone. "The same timing, methods, and planning. Someone wants our companies destroyed."

When Elena walked in, she brought the missing piece. My grandmother came in and took control like an avenging angel.

"Thomas," she said. "My dear brother has made his move."

"You sure?" I asked.

"Darling, I knew he'd show himself like this. Thomas has always wanted to be in charge of Romano, and now he's using your problems to take over."

Elena pulled out a folder. "He's been buying small amounts of stock through other people. That, along with what he's doing, has dropped the prices. Once everything hits rock bottom, Thomas is going to try to gain control."

"What's his end game?" Mikel asked.

"He wants to be in charge. With these companies, he'd be the head of the family like he's always wanted." Elena looked angry. "And he gets rid of me at the same time."

I looked at the papers, seeing Thomas's scheme. "This is all about power, and he's using our family against us."

"Pretty much. He thinks that because you love each other, you'll be too emotional to fight back." Elena smiled. "But he's forgotten that the Romanos get even."

"What do you suggest?" Mikel asked, respecting Elena's experience.

"We announce the partnership, use our power before Thomas can buy more shares. Then we start looking into his doings." Elena's eyes lit up. "Thomas wants war? Let's give it to him."

For the next two hours, we worked together. The lawyers handled the attacks, and financial planners worked on the partnership announcement. The marketing teams prepped a plan to switch the narrative from companies in crisis to a power merger creating industry dominance.

I began to appreciate how Mikel worked. He was smart, decisive, and worked so well with my team.

"The announcement should stop the stocks dropping and send a message to Thomas," Mikel said when we took a moment. "But Bella, we need to discuss personal stuff."

"Like?"

"A partnership like this will make our relationship even more public. They'll be wondering why—is it strategic or romantic? Can we even separate our feelings from our business?"

I thought about what to say, knowing Elena and our lawyers were listening. "Are you asking if I'm ready for all the attention?"

"I'm asking if you trust me enough to build something together that can handle what comes next." He looked me in the eyes. "Because once we announce this, we're in this together."

This wasn't just about saving the companies. It was about deciding to build a future together that included everything.

"Elena," I said, turning to my grandmother, "what should we do?"

She looked proud. "Thomas has no idea what happens when Romano women choose their partners well. And you and Mikel combined are something he can't deal with."

"Then let's show him what unified Romano-Sterling power looks like," I said, standing up. "Get the partnership announcement ready. And make sure Thomas knows what he's up against."

Our teams went to work, and Mikel and I found ourselves alone in my office.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked. "Once we announce, there's no going back."

I looked at this man who'd fought for my company, supported my leadership, and chose to be with me.

"Mikel, after watching you, and how well we work on a team—I'm so sure."

He gave me this sweet, relieved smile. "Then let's build something together that nothing can take apart."

The partnership announcement shocked the market. Stock prices rose, contracts came back, and the financial press was interested in the merger of the decade.

But we saw Thomas's response, and he showed his true intention.

We both got the same message simultaneously: *Congrats on your alliance. But there are different battles on the warfield that you haven't anticipated. I hope your love is strong enough to survive what comes next.*

I showed Mikel, and my face showed grim determination.

"He will make things worse," I quietly said.

"Allow him. We are preparing now." Mikel grabbed my hands across the table and linked them naturally. "Whatever Thomas throws at us soon, we face it together."

Outside my office window was the Seattle sky, and I felt like we were going to win.

But as the sun set, I felt like Thomas's move might be the dangerous one yet.

Thomas Romano didn't accept defeat—he burned everything because he lost.

Also, Emma's safety was still on the line, and Sophia wanted to make things right, so our family was still in danger in ways that partnership couldn't fix.

The business side was won; the real battle was about to begin.