Chapter 2 - THE MIDNIGHT AUDITWhile the waltz spun on, drawing every camera lens in the room away from Dominic and straight toward his worst nightmare dancing with his deadliest rival, Evelyn’s mind was already miles ahead.
The gala was a masterpiece of logistics, and every single contract, catering deposit, security clearance, and insurance policy had been processed through a shell corporation registered in Delaware under a private trust. A trust that Dominic didn't control. A trust that Evelyn had quietly amended three weeks prior, right after she discovered the first hotel charges for Vanessa Reed in Zurich.
Julian didn't break character as they moved through the intricate steps of the dance. To the crowd, they were enemies dancing a dangerous tango of optics; to Evelyn and Julian, a different kind of transaction was taking place.
"You knew he’d do it tonight," Julian stated, not a question.
"I knew he was arrogant enough to mistake my patience for cowardice," Evelyn corrected smoothly. "Dominic thinks empires are built on intimidation and headlines. He forgot who holds the keys to the vault."
"The Board of Vale Luxury Hospitality meets at nine o'clock tomorrow morning," Julian noted quietly, his hand shifting slightly at her back, pressing a small, encrypted flash drive into the palm of her glove. "My people finalized the acquisition of their primary debt holdings this afternoon. By noon, Dominic won't just be embarrassed. He'll be bankrupt."
Evelyn closed her fingers over the drive. The cold metal bit into her skin, grounding her. "Let him keep the illusion a few hours longer. I want him to sign the quarterly reports tonight. The ones that certify clean assets."
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Julian’s lips curved into a sharp, appreciative smile. "Fraud certification. Class D felonies across three state lines. You really are a ruthless woman, Mrs. Vale."
"I was a financial strategist before I was a martyr, Julian," she whispered as the music swelled toward its climax. "And my mother taught me never to negotiate with thieves."
