Mag-log inArturo shifted in his seat.“It’s the victim of a long-term theft operation,” Amelia continued. “About two percent of gross revenue has been diverted every quarter for the past eighteen months.”Arturo’s glass shook.Marisa didn’t blink. “Diverted how?”“Through fake operational fees,” Amelia replied. “Fees that don’t exist in the ports they’re assigned to. The money was routed through a shell company registered in Gibraltar.”Silence dropped like a blade.Marisa folded her hands. “And who authorized these fees?”Amelia didn’t look at Arturo.She looked directly at Marisa. “The digital approvals came from credentials assigned to the regional operations liaison.”The silence that followed was suffocating. All eyes locked on Arturo.He exploded from his chair, the legs screeching against the floor. “¡Mentira! A lie! This is… this is sabotage! You!” He pointed a shaking finger at Amelia, spittle forming at the corner of his mouth. “You foreign witch with your computer tricks! You come
BLACKWOOD INDUSTRIES ~ NEW YORK Katherina’s office was quiet when Damien walked in.Too quiet.She was standing by the window, arms crossed, watching the city below like it had personally offended her. She didn’t turn around when she heard the door close.“Well?” she asked coolly. “Did she take the call?”Damien loosened his tie. “She did.”That got her attention. Katherina turned slowly, eyes sharp. “And?”“She didn’t scream. She didn’t deny everything immediately,” Damien said. “She listened.”Katherina’s jaw tightened. “That’s not an answer.”Damien sighed. “She says it’s not her. That she’s not attacking Blackwood and she doesn’t want any negativity now.”Katherina let out a short laugh. “Of course she said that. Amelia has always been good at lying with a straight face.”“She didn’t sound like she was lying,” Damien said quietly. “I know her too well. Trust me.”That set Katherina off.“Oh, for God’s sake,” she snapped. “You called her to get information, not to study her voice
ALEJANDRO MASTER BEDROOM ~ NEW YORK The phone had been buzzing nonstop.Alejandro walked into the master bedroom, holding it up. “Mi reina, your phone has been ringing non-stop.”Amelia pushed herself up against the pillows, exhausted. “My phone? Are you serious? I thought I had it with me all along.” She sighed. “Give it here. Let me see who keeps calling.”Alejandro glanced at the screen. “It’s the same number again,” he said, handing it to her just as it started ringing once more.Amelia frowned and answered. “Hello? Who is this?”There was silence.She pulled the phone away from her ear and scoffed. “If you don’t say anything, I’m hanging up right now.”“Wait,” a familiar voice said quickly. “Don’t.”Her body went still.“It’s Damien,” the voice said.Amelia’s eyes hardened. “You’ve got a lot of nerve calling my phone,” she snapped. “How did you even get this number? This is my private line.”She sat up straight. The tiredness vanished, replaced by a cold, calm control.“Talk fas
ALEXANDER MANSION~ NEW YORKAlexander Blackwood stormed through the marble halls of his mansion, his anger practically vibrating through his steps. The maids and staff froze as he passed, their whispers trailing behind him. He reached the Master bedroom, flinging the door open.“Vivian!” he shouted, voice echoing off the walls. “What the hell did you do?”Vivian, still in her nightwear, sat up in bed, eyes wide. “Alexander… calm down.”“Calm down? Calm down?!” he yelled, pacing. “Do you have any idea what I’m hearing from the board members? That Katherina… that manipulative witch… is back in Blackwood Industries?”“Lower your voice!” she snapped. “Why are you yelling like this? Do you want the maids and the entire neighborhood to hear you? Are you trying to embarrass me?”“Don’t turn this on me,” Alexander fired back. “I should be asking you why the top shareholders are calling me, asking if it’s true that Katherina is back at my company .”Vivian froze, her eyes narrowing. “Who gave
Katherine’s smile was thin, dangerous. “The one person who might know the truth. The source of all our problems.”She leaned back, eyes cold. “My charming ex-husband.”---DAMIEN BLACKWOOD OFFICE~ NEW YORK Upstairs, Damien Blackwood sat in the corner of his office, an ice pack pressed firmly against his ribs. His shirt was rumpled, sleeves rolled up, revealing angry yellowing bruises that ran along his torso. A swollen eye pulsed painfully every time he moved, but none of it stopped him from fuming.He glared at a young junior executive standing nervously before him, clipboard clutched like a shield.“Do you have any idea what these numbers mean?” Damien barked, his voice sharp and raw. “Quarterly projections are supposed to show growth, not make me want to throw someone out the window!”The junior stammered, “I-I double-checked the reports, sir… I think the… the discrepancies—”“Discrepancies?” Damien’s voice cracked, a mixture of rage and pain. “Discrepancies? Do you see this eye
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT ~ BLACKWOOD INDUSTRIES Katherine Rodriguez stood in her sleek office, the ghost of Nicholas Hale’s presence still humming in the air. She stared at his business card, her thumb tracing the embossed letters.“Get a grip,” she muttered to herself, tossing the card onto her desk. “Brilliant lawyer. That’s it. This is about the company. The lawsuit. Nothing else.”Her intercom buzzed. “Ms. Rodriguez? Vivian is here to see you.”“Send her in.”The door opened, and Vivian Aschroft stepped inside, looking more strained than usual. She sank into a chair, rubbing her temples.“Damien’s upstairs,” Vivian said quietly. “Saw the doctor finally after all the “I don’t need a doctor”. Three cracked ribs, a mild concussion… he looks like he went twelve rounds with a train. And he’s still talking about her.”“Amelia.” “Always Amelia,” Vivian sighed, a flash of old guilt in her eyes. “It’s like a sickness.”Katherine felt a twist of something sharp not jealousy, but a deep, ol







