Chapter 8 - The UltimatumTwo weeks later, the corporate offices of Martin Development were running smoother than ever, but underground, dark forces were mobilizing.
David Vance, out on heavy bail and facing federal indictment for embezzlement, was desperate. Stripped of his wealth, his status, and his corporate empire, he had nothing left to lose—and everything to take back.
In a dimly lit private booth at an upscale Manhattan steakhouse, David sat across from Viktor Rostov, a ruthless Russian venture capitalist notorious for hostile corporate takeovers and dirty backroom deals.
"You want to strip Lucas Martin of his empire?" Viktor chuckled, swirling a glass of dark red wine. "The man just won over Wall Street with a televised heroism stunt. His stock is up fifteen percent."
"His stock is up because he's distracted," David sneered, sliding a thick manila folder across the table. "He’s spending all his time playing savior to a low-level housekeeping employee named Anna Silva. He’s softened, Viktor. His armor has a crack right down the center."
Viktor opened the folder. Inside were high-resolution photographs of Lucas and Anna walking together through Central Park, holding hands with little Samuel and Sophia.
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"A romance between a billionaire CEO and an ordinary hotel housekeeper," Viktor murmured, a slow, predatory grin spreading across his face. "Oh, the tabloids will have a field day with this. We don't need to destroy his company, David. We just need to destroy his reputation from the inside out."
"Do it," David hissed. "Take everything from him, just like he took everything from me."
