Chapter 10 - The Ultimate Balance SheetJulian’s face went completely slack. He lunged for the laptop on his desk, frantically typing commands, but the screen flashed a single red word: ACCESS DENIED. ASSETS FROZEN.
"You... you locked me out of my own accounts?" Julian stammered, looking up with genuine terror for the first time.
"The house always collects, Julian," Roman said, stepping past me with a cold, lethal calm. He grabbed his brother by the lapels of his tailored jacket, hoisting him up with effortless strength. "You stayed dead for five years. Consider yourself permanently retired."
Within an hour, Swiss authorities—tipped off by a comprehensive package of financial fraud evidence sent directly by the Continental's legal team—surrounded the estate. Julian Costa was cuffed and led away into the freezing Swiss night, his multi-billion-dollar empire dismantled in less than sixty minutes by a woman he had dismissed as a 'pet.'
On the private jet ride back home, the cabin was warm, quiet, and bathed in the soft amber glow of the overhead lights.
Roman sat across from me, pouring two glasses of scotch. He didn't say a word for a long time, just watched me with an intensity that made the air feel electric.
"You outplayed my brother," Roman finally said, a slow, deep smile spreading across his face. "You walked into an alpine fortress and wiped out a five-year conspiracy with a flash drive."
"I learned from the best," I replied, taking the glass from his hand and letting our fingers brush. "After all, I had to master the art of dealing with dangerous men who think they own everything."
Roman reached across the small table, pulling me out of my seat and drawing me down beside him on the plush leather couch. His arm wrapped securely around my waist, pulling me against his side as the jet cut through the clouds toward home.
"Sadi," he murmured, pressing a soft kiss against my temple. "What's our net worth as of right now?"
May you like
I leaned my head against his shoulder, looking out the window at the endless expanse of stars above us.
"Unpayable, Roman," I whispered, smiling into the dark. "Completely unpayable."
