Chapter 12 - Shadows in the PenthouseTen miles north, inside a sterile, minimalist office space lent by Viktor Sterling, Adrian Blackwell paced the floor like a caged animal. His hair was slightly graysats at the temples, his eyes hollow and bloodshot, but his posture carried a manic, artificial energy.
"You saw the projections, Viktor," Adrian insisted, slamming his palm onto the glass desk. "If Northstar’s shipping margins drop by even four percent during the supply chain audit, their stock will take a massive hit. That’s our window to execute the short squeeze."
Viktor Sterling didn't look up from his tablet. He slowly swiped through a portfolio of high-yield bonds, leaning back in his leather executive chair with an expression of bored amusement.
"Calm down, Adrian. You’re sweating like a rookie," Viktor said smoothly, finally raising his cold, slate-gray eyes. "I’m funding this operation because your insider knowledge of Northstar’s internal risk models is invaluable. But let’s be entirely clear about one thing: you are a tool for execution, not a partner."
Adrian’s jaw tightened, a flash of red hot anger flaring behind his eyes. He swallowed his pride, forcing his voice to remain steady. "Just make sure the capital hits the clearinghouse by Friday morning. Once Camille's supply chain is frozen, the board will panic, and she’ll have to negotiate with us."
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"Negotiate?" Viktor chuckled, standing up and buttoning his jacket. "My dear Adrian, men like us don't negotiate with queens. We depose them."
As Viktor walked out of the room, Adrian stared at his reflection in the dark glass window. He didn't see a visionary anymore. He saw a man who had sold his soul twice over just to prove to his ex-wife that he mattered.
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