Chapter 26 - DANCING WITH THE DEVIL
Claire stepped beside her brother, glaring at the elderly British aristocrat with unmasked hostility.
"Your proxies failed in court, Croft," Claire stated firmly. "Victoria is in prison, and Marcus Cole is bankrupt."
Lord Croft chuckled softly, taking a champagne flute from a passing waiter's silver tray.
"Pawns are designed to be sacrificed, my dear," Croft replied, swirling his champagne gracefully. "A true master never reveals his queen until the final move."
"If you touch my family again, Croft, I will destroy everything you own," Julian warned, his voice dropping into a lethal whisper.
"Threats are so pedestrian, Julian," Croft smirked, turning on his heel to join a group of US senators nearby.
Julian watched him leave, his heart pounding with cold, controlled fury as he realized the magnitude of the conflict.
Later that night, as their limousine drove back up to Westchester, Julian remained lost in deep thought.
"He's going to attack us through the corporate shareholder vote next month, isn't he?" Claire asked softly from the leather seat.
May you like
"He can try," Julian replied, looking out at the darkened New York highway. "But this time, I am ready for him."
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