Chapter 4
The silence that followed was absolute. For a second, the only sound was the rustling of the topiary trees in the afternoon breeze.
Ethan froze on the marble steps. His angry expression vanished, replaced by a slack-jawed mask of pure bewilderment. His lips parted, but no sound came out.
"Meredith," Ethan finally whispered, the shock rendering his voice barely audible. He took a hesitant step closer, trying to process the impossible words. "What did you just say?"
"You heard me," she replied, standing tall, the blue sapphires glittering at her throat.
"You control the company?" he asked, his eyes wide.
"Ethan, what is she talking about?" Judith demanded, her voice losing its aristocratic polish and edging into panic. "She's bluffing. Tell me she's bluffing!"
Meredith maintained steady eye contact with her husband. Her posture shifted from defensive to effortlessly confident. She slowly lowered the damaged phone, offering Ethan a restrained, razor-sharp smile.
May you like
"I don't just control it, Ethan," Meredith said quietly, her voice ringing with undeniable power. "I own it."
Ethan’s face drained of all color, turning an ashen pale. Behind him, Judith let out a strangled gasp, her hands flying up to cover her mouth. On the balcony above, Vanessa stood completely motionless, her arrogant sneer wiped away, replaced by the dawning horror that she had just backed the wrong horse.
