Chapter 3 - SHADOWS IN THE PENTHOUSE“The Bloodlines Don’t Lie!”Arthur pulled out his tablet, his arrogant expression instantly turning into horror as notifications flooded his screen.
"What is this?" Arthur gasped.
"Seven years ago," Alexander said coldly, walking toward Arthur, "Elena disappeared because someone paid a dirty lab technician to forge a fake medical report saying she couldn't have children—and then threatened her life if she stayed near me."
Valeria’s smirk wavered.
"I spent the last twelve hours having my private security team track down that exact lab tech," Alexander continued. "He just signed a confession in federal court. And guess who paid him five hundred thousand dollars from an offshore account in the Cayman Islands?"
Alexander pointed directly at Valeria.
"You..." Elena breathed, her eyes widening in realization. "You were the one who sent those men to my apartment seven years ago! You threatened to hurt my baby!"
"You have no proof!" Valeria shrieked, backing toward the door.
"The federal marshals outside have all the proof they need," Alexander replied coolly.
At that moment, two uniform federal agents stepped through the penthouse entrance. "Valeria Vance, you are under arrest for corporate conspiracy, witness intimidation, and bank fraud."
"Alex! Help me! Arthur told me to do it!" Valeria screamed as the handcuffs clicked tightly around her wrists.
"Shut your mouth!" Arthur roared, his face flushing crimson.
"Take her away," Alexander commanded without a hint of mercy. As Valeria was dragged out weeping, Alexander turned his deadly gaze toward Arthur Sterling. "As for you, Arthur... the board meeting at noon isn't for my removal. It's for yours."
Arthur stormed out, swearing vengeance.
Elena sank into the sofa, burying her head in her hands as tears washed over her face. Alexander knelt beside her, gently wiping her tears just as he had done in the kitchen the night before.
May you like
"It's over, Elena," he whispered softly. "No one will ever hurt you or Chloe again."
CLIFFHANGER: But as Elena looked up to thank him, the penthouse power suddenly cut out, plunging the sky-high apartment into absolute darkness as a sinister alarm began to blare.
