Chapter 13 - THE MONTE CARLO AMBUSH
The Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo was the epicentre of world wealth. Million-dollar superyachts rocked gently in the harbor below, while European royalty and global hedge fund titans mingled on the marble terraces under the warm Mediterranean breeze.
At the center of the rooftop ballroom stood Victor Thorne.
At sixty years old, Thorne possessed the cold, predatory posture of a grey wolf. He held a glass of rare scotch, surrounded by European ministers and corporate elites. Standing right beside him, wearing a glittering gold dress that looked entirely out of place, was Chloe Miller.
After Apex Group dissolved, Chloe had fled the United States to avoid her creditors. She had used the last of her stolen funds to track down Victor Thorne in Europe, offering herself as an insider source on Vance International’s vulnerabilities in a desperate bid for protection.
"Mr. Thorne," Chloe purred, holding her glass high. "With the information I gave you about Clarissa's former routines, your short-selling attack on Vance Logistics European division tomorrow will be an absolute slaughter."
Victor Thorne smirked, taking a slow sip. "Clarissa Vance is a weak, broken little girl who spent three years scrubbing floors for a middle-management coward. Her father is getting old. They have no teeth left."
"Is that so, Mr. Thorne?"
The crowd around the terrace went instantly dead silent.
I walked out onto the marble balcony, flanked by two towering European security directors. Draped over my shoulders was a rare white cashmere cape, and on my wrist sat a diamond chronometer that had once belonged to the French royal family.
Chloe dropped her glass. It shattered against the marble, splashing red wine across her gold dress. "Y-you?! How did you get in here?! This is a private summit!"
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Victor Thorne’s eyes narrowed into slits. He didn't lose his composure, but his posture stiffened like a steel trap. "Clarissa Vance. You have your father's arrogance, coming into my territory uninvited."
"Your territory?" I laughed softly, stepping closer as the surrounding billionaires whispered frantically among themselves. "Mr. Thorne, this hotel is owned by the Monte Carlo SBM Group. And forty-eight hours ago, Vance Financial purchased controlling interest in the entire resort complex. You are standing on my property."
