Chapter 2

First thing the next morning, the family started taking stock of everything they could mortgage or sell.

The wine cellar, the collections, several vacation homes. All of it went on the list.

I sat on the bedroom rug, packing.

If Julian wanted me gone, I was at least taking my favorite things with me.

Sophia pushed the door open just as I was stuffing my jewelry box into a suitcase.

She stood in the doorway, her expression hardening.

“So you’re really leaving?”

“Your brother told me to go.”

“He told you to go because he wants to protect you.”

I looked up.

“I know.”

She suddenly marched over and snatched the plane ticket off the bed.

“What do you know? My dad resigned. My other two brothers are still under investigation. Julian’s even selling off his personal assets, but he hasn’t touched a cent in the account he set aside for you.”

I didn’t say anything.

The more she talked, the redder her eyes got.

“Don’t you love money more than anything? Then take the money and go. And don’t come back to drag him down.”

“Sophia.”

I had no idea how long Julian had been standing outside the door.

His voice was cold.

“Put that down.”

“Julian!”

“Put it down.”

Sophia clenched her jaw and threw the ticket back on the bed.

Julian came over to me.

“The flight’s been moved up to ten.”

“That soon?”

“Yeah.”

“What about you?”

“I’m meeting Nathan.”

I knew that name.

Nathan Cross, the friend Julian used to trust more than anyone.

Over the past year, the two of them had rarely been seen together in public, but Julian had never told me why.

Ten minutes later, Ethan Brooks, one of Nathan’s people, showed up in person.

He wore a crisp suit, and he was so polite it was irritating.

“Mr. Cross will be expecting you at the club at eight tonight for one last round of negotiations.”

He handed Julian a file, then glanced at me.

“Ms. Bell is here too, I see.”

Julian stepped between us and blocked his view.

“Say what you came to say.”

Ethan smiled.

“I’d just heard your girlfriend was beautiful.”

He paused.

“If Mercer Group goes under, Mr. Cross would be happy to take care of her expenses from now on.”

Before I could even react, Julian punched him.

Ethan staggered back two steps, blood already pouring from his nose.

Everyone in the living room froze.

“Julian!” Helen cried.

He shook out his hand.

“Get out.”

Ethan wiped the blood from his nose and actually smiled.

“Losing control is the last thing you should be doing right now.”

Julian took a step forward.

“Say one more word.”

Ethan finally stopped smiling.

“Eight o’clock tonight. If you don’t show, things will get worse for your brothers.”

Once the door closed, Julian turned to me.

“Go to the airport. Now.”

His assistant, Owen, put me in the car.

For the first time, I made the entire drive without so much as glancing at a single store.

As we got close to the airport, I asked, “If he signs tonight, what does he lose?”

Owen kept his hands on the wheel and didn’t answer for a long moment.

“Tell me.”

“Control of the company.”

“What else?”

“Almost all of his personal assets. His seat on the board. The family’s control of the flagship hotels. And... they’ve promised that if Mr. Mercer signs, the witnesses testifying against his brothers will retract parts of their statements.”

I stared straight ahead.

“So his plan is to go in there and lose?”

Owen said nothing.

That was an answer.

The car pulled up outside the private terminal.

The staff were already waiting.

I got out, took two steps, and stopped.

Three years ago, I left North Shore Capital because too many people thought that as long as I could still work, I should keep working.

Julian was different.

He never once asked why I wasn’t out making money.

And now, when he was about to lose everything, he was still trying to make sure my life stayed exactly the same.

I turned around.

“Take me back to the city.”

Owen looked alarmed.

“Ms. Bell, these are Mr. Mercer’s orders.”

“Then you can keep following his orders.”

I flagged down a car that had just dropped someone off.

“I’ll get back on my own.”