Chapter 5 - The Midnight Order
The heavy glass doors of the restaurant closed behind Claire, shielding her from the toxic laughter.
Outside, a cold, heavy New York rain was falling, slicking the dark pavement. Claire didn't run for a taxi. She stood perfectly still under the restaurant's grand awning, letting the cool air wash over her.
She opened her palm and looked at the broken silver watch. It wasn't a cheap department store gift. It was an extremely rare, custom-engraved vintage Patek Philippe worth over eighty thousand dollars. She had bought it with her own money to congratulate Adam on a recent real estate deal, hoping to finally bridge the gap between them.
Instead, he had shown her exactly who he was.
Claire pulled her cell phone from her designer clutch and lifted it to her ear.
"Mr. Hale," Claire spoke, her voice dropping all pretense of the quiet, submissive sister.
Mr. Hale was the senior partner of the most ruthless corporate law firm in Manhattan. He was the only man who knew that Claire was the sole founder and CEO of Vanguard Holdings—the anonymous private equity firm that secretly owned ninety percent of Adam’s failing company.
"Good evening, Madam," the sharp, professional voice answered.
Claire’s eyes were filled with cold, calculating vengeance as she stared through the rain at the glowing restaurant window.
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"Mr. Hale," Claire said, her voice completely cold and steady. "I'm ready to sign the papers. Liquidate it all."
👉 Claire gave the lethal order, and her arrogant brother was about to wake up to the absolute worst day of his life.
