Lahat ng Kabanata ng DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH : Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

Chapter 80: The Quiet DawnThe elevator ride down to the penthouse was really different from going up. The air was no longer filled with tension that had been there hours ago. Now there was a heavy silence. The only sound was the hum of the motor as the digital floor indicator ticked backward away from the eighty-floor fortress where an empire had just changed hands.Elena leaned her head against the mirrored wall of the elevator, closing her eyes for a second. Her body felt totally drained. The adrenaline that had kept her going in front of the Vane executive board was finally fading. For months she had been under a lot of pressure from the Manhattan elite. She had to watch her step always worry that she would give Arthur the chance to hurt her and Julian. Now that weight is gone. It left a huge emptiness that felt weird.Julian didn't say a word. He didn't need to. He stood beside her his long fingers securely holding hers. His warm palm was an anchor against the chill of the mornin

Chapter 82: The Sovereign RetreatThe private elevator finally stopped humming as it went down to the VIP garage. The fancy doors, the nervous nods of the board members and the screens showing the shipping routes were all left behind on the 80th floor.When the elevator doors opened the air was cooler and smelled like damp concrete and expensive fuel. Marcus was leaning against Julian's armored car, his tablet was off and he looked really relaxed for the first time in two days.Across the garage the lights of Arthur Vane's limousine came on before it drove out of the garage and into the traffic on Madison Avenue. The old man had left his office without looking, leaving behind an empty room and a legacy that was not as powerful as it used to be."The area is completely clear, " Marcus said, throwing the car keys to Julian. "The security team is. The gate records do not show Arthur Vanes access codes anymore. The news about his retirement is ready to be released tomorrow. You two can ta

Chapter 84: The Midnight ConfessionThe fire in the fieldstone hearth crackled softly. It threw dancing shadows across the exposed timber beams of the living room. Outside the Hudson Valley night had become very dark. The distant rush of the river made a rhythmic sound. This made the villa feel completely detached from the rest of civilization.Elena sat curled up on the linen sofa. She was wrapped in a cashmere throw. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders. She didn't have the rigid styling required by the Manhattan gala circuits. In the flickering firelight she looked completely at peace. Her eyes traced the movement of the flames.Julian walked out of the kitchen. He had discarded his dress shoes. Rolled his sleeves up past his elbows. He carried two mugs of dark steaming tea. The rich scent of chamomile and honey cut through the air of the room. He set the mugs down on the wooden table. Then he slid onto the sofa beside her. He pulled her into his side with a natural familiarity

Chapter 86: The Flashbulb VerdictThe TV lights were really bright. They made the auditorium of Vane Holdings look like a stage. A hundred reporters were pushing to get a spot behind the barriers. They were all talking at once making a noise that you could feel through the floor. Cameras were clicking nonstop watching every move on stage like wolves waiting for someone to slip up.Julian went up to the podium first. His dark suit looked sharp under the lights. He didn't. Do any of the usual friendly things that corporate executives do. He just gripped the podium. Looked out at the reporters with a cold commanding gaze that made the room quiet down.Elena stood next to him two steps to his left. She stood up straight, her hands clasped in front of her and her chin held high. She had a pendant under her collar, a reminder of a quiet place they had left behind." Morning, " Julian said in a deep commanding voice that filled the room. " Night at midnight the executive committee of Vane Ho

Chapter 88: The Sinking MarginsThe big table in the meeting room was covered in tablets. Each tablet showed the financial reports from the European shipping hubs. The room was very quiet. The old board members sat still looking at the screens and the door. They were waiting for Julian and Elena to start the meeting.When Julian and Elena came in the door closed behind them. Julian was not wearing his suit jacket. He had on a shirt and a charcoal vest. He looked strong and in charge. Elena walked to the middle of the table. She put a special data drive into the computer. The big screens behind her turned on making the room bright blue."Let's start, " Elena said. Her voice was calm and clear. She did not say hello. Ask if everyone was comfortable. She just tapped the screen. Showed a complicated financial report. This made one of the board members Sterling look very worried."We looked at the reports you gave us this morning Sterling " Elena said. She looked at him with an expression.