Ava Daniels Deborah Vance Novels & Stories

"Sorry about that. So, where were we?" “No where at all.” Vance glances at him, his expression neutral. "We're done here." Davidson frowns briefly, confusion skimming across his face. "Done? But we haven't even…" "Trust me," Vance interrupts, his tone insistent. "It's not going to work." Davidson looks between Xarion and Vance, clearly trying to figure out what the hell just happened. Vance turns to me one last time, his demeanor becoming gentler. "See you Saturday, Megan."

"That's not possible. Daniel had nothing to do with Vivian back then. He barely knew her." "That's what Ryan doesn't know either. He said it could be nothing an old, unrelated investment. But the timing" "The timing is exactly what worries me too." Adrian was already on his feet, moving toward the door. "Where's Daniel right now?" "He left an hour ago. Said he was driving back to his place for the night." Adrian's jaw tightened. "Call him. Tell him I need to see him first thing tomorrow. Don't tell him why." They found Ava in the sitting room exactly where Nova had left her, David sitting quietly nearby, a steadying presence rather than an intrusive one. She looked up when Adrian entered, an

M‌aybe n‌ot officia‍lly. May‌be not o‍n paper. But deep‌ down, she kne‍w‍. Daniel wanted Noah. And the law would gi‌ve hi‌m a chance. The thou⁠ght a‍lone mad‌e her‍ sick. “Ava.”

Interesting. Then continued walking. Leaving Dani standing in the hallway with a growing sense of dread. --- The morning dragged. Every interaction felt loaded with hidden meaning. Every conversation felt dangerous. By lunchtime, Dani desperately needed a break. Instead, she found herself summoned to Stella's office. Again. The message arrived through Stella's assistant. Simple. Professional. Terrifying. Mrs. Vance would like to see you. Dani stared at the email. Her pulse immediately accelerated. This was it. Maybe.

"Vance knows that if he goes to the police, the press will dig into *why* you hit him. He’s protecting the author. He’s protecting Ava Thorne." *Ava Thorne.* The name felt like poison in Adrian's mouth. Hearing Aria claim another man... hearing her laugh in his face and spit out that Maya belonged to Silas... it had ignited a primal, territorial rage that he hadn't known he possessed. "I don't care about Vance's PR spin," Adrian ground out, his voice a low, terrifying growl. "Where is the legal report on Vance Studios' distribution rights?"

I asked softly. Julian took a step closer, pulling a small silver flash drive from his vest pocket and holding it up between two fingers. "If you refuse, this flash drive gets broadcast to every major financial news outlet in precisely ten minutes. It contains a complete digital audit trail showing your personal signature approving the transfer of Vance’s quantum foundation blueprints. Chloe signed your name using your master digital key. It will take your high-priced Vance lawyers two years of grueling forensic trials to prove it wasn't you. By then, your reputation is dead, your father is bankrupt, and Alexander Vance will have tossed you to the curb like discarded trash."

ACCESS GRANTED. The heavy double doors hissed softly, unlocking and sliding open into the dark study. Daphne glided inside, closing the doors behind her. She walked straight around the massive mahogany desk, tapping the central glass terminal. The screen illuminated in the dark room, displaying the master database of Vance Enterprises. She pulled the black satellite phone from her robe pocket, plugging a thin, high-speed data transfer cable into the terminal's secondary port. Her fingers flew across the glass interface with scary, practiced precision—far from the helpless girl who claimed she couldn't operate a computer.

Morning light filtered through the thin curtains, pale and grey. Vance was already awake. He had not slept. He sat at the desk, his laptop open to the Reef & Reclaim file, though he had not read a single word in the past hour. The coffee beside him was cold. The bathroom door opened. Daniel emerged, toweling his hair, already dressed. "You're up early," Daniel said. "Or did you even sleep?" Vance did not answer. Daniel shrugged and sat on the edge of his bed. He picked up his tablet and began scrolling.

that was so sarcastic, Ava gave a sad smile which she returned. “Yeah. I met Brad through a friend. He’s a medical doctor and he stays in Breuckelen. At first, it was all lovey-dovey. The love and care were mind-blowing. I just don’t know what happened now.” she kept hissing and sniffling. “Usually, it starts well. The ride gets sweet. Tell me everything, please.” Ava grabbed Olivia’s hands and held them together. “Remember when I told you I was traveling home?” Olivia wiped her face, Ava smiled and shook her head. “It was him I went to see. I traveled to Breuckelen to see him.”

His head was slumped, tiny feet dangling from the wooden chair. Deborah stood five feet away, thumb on a black remote detonator. Agent Vance was right beside her, hands tucked into his coat pockets, smiling coldly as we entered. "Well, well," Vance said, clear over the steam. "Ninety seconds exactly. You always did have impeccable timing, Christian." "Step away from my son, Vance," Christian growled, his voice dangerous. He started circling to the left, watching for an opening. "I wouldn't move another inch if I were you," Deborah snapped, raising the detonator, knuckles white, arm trembling as she looked at me. "I don't want to do this, Sierra! I said to run! Why didn’t you just run?"