Chapter 11
At a low-lit cocktail lounge in Midtown Manhattan, Chloe was meeting secretly with a young Wall Street reporter.
She wore a dark headscarf and oversized sunglasses, sipping a vodka martini while tapping her manicured nails.
"I can give you exclusive access to the Vella family's internal financial records," Chloe offered smoothly.
"I have copies of the wedding expense sheets, offshore transfer receipts, and personal text messages."
The reporter leaned forward, holding an encrypted recording device under the table.
"What do you want in exchange for this documentation, Mrs. Vella?" the reporter inquired carefully.
"Two things," Chloe stated, her tone turning venomous and sharp.
"A guaranteed front-page feature story destroying Evelyn Vella's public reputation."
"And a five-hundred-thousand-dollar licensing fee paid directly to my personal account in Jersey."
The reporter smiled, pulling a folded contract from his leather messenger bag.
"If the documentation checks out, my network will clear the wire by tomorrow morning," he agreed.
As Chloe reached out to sign the agreement, a shadow fell over the booth, blocking the dim amber light.
Marcus Vance stood towering over the table, flanked by two plainclothes private investigators.
"Ms. Chloe Bennett," Marcus spoke calmly, using her maiden name with deliberate precision.
May you like
"You are currently violating three separate non-disclosure agreements signed during your engagement process."
Chloe froze, her hand hovering over the paper as color drained rapidly from her face.
