Chapter 6 - The True Mastermind
Three months later.
The penthouse office of Vance Global Tower offered a breathtaking view of the entire metropolis. The sunset painted the sky in shades of bruised purple and burning gold.
Elena sat behind the massive obsidian desk, swirling a glass of deep crimson wine. The door opened softly, and Marcus stepped inside, placing a thick manila envelope on the desk.
"The federal investigation has concluded, Miss Elena," Marcus reported respectfully. "Victoria has been sentenced to five years in a federal penitentiary for financial fraud and embezzlement. Her associates have all fled the country."
Elena didn't look at the files. She looked at her reflection in the glass of wine. "And Julian?"
Marcus hesitated, a faint crease forming on his forehead. "Mr. Julian has transferred his remaining shares to your name, exactly as your agreement stipulated. He boarded a private flight to Geneva this morning."
Elena smirked, opening the envelope. Inside wasn't legal paperwork. It was a handwritten note on expensive stationery, penned in Julian's sharp handwriting:
Dear Elena,
You played your part brilliantly. Ten years ago, when our father tried to cut you out of the will, I was the one who leaked your mother's location to Victoria's mother so they would force you out.
I needed someone ruthless enough to clean house, get rid of our incompetent sister, and take the blame for the corporate restructuring. You thought you were taking revenge. But in truth... you just handed me total, unchallengeable monopoly over the global market.
Thanks for doing the dirty work. ā Julian.
Elena stared at the letter. For a single second, the silence in the room felt heavy.
Then, a low, dark chuckle escaped her lips. She tossed the letter into the sleek electronic shredder beside her desk. The machine whined, chewing the paper into microscopic pieces.
Elena stood up, smoothing the front of her tailored suit. She walked to the floor-to-ceiling glass window, looking down at the tiny, scurrying ants of humanity far below on the city streets.
May you like
She picked up a fresh glass of crimson wine, raised it toward the glowing sunset, and whispered into the empty room:
"Game on, brother. Let's see who owns the board tomorrow."
