Chapter 6
The silence in Charles’s luxury penthouse was deafening as his wealthy poker guests slowly backed away from the table.
“This is a misunderstanding, Dante, please—” Charles began, his voice pitch-pitched with panic.
“Do not call me by my first name,” Dante cut him off, his voice dropping an octave, heavy with threat.
“You insulted Miss Gallagher in front of half of Manhattan tonight.”
“You attempted to frame her for a federal crime.”
“And then you sent someone to photograph her sister inside her own home.”
The room went completely freezing.
The other investors looked at Charles with sheer disgust, realizing the line he had crossed.
“I didn't order anyone to hurt her sister!” Charles pleaded, dropping all pretense of innocence.
“Victoria acted on her own! She was out of control!”
“A CEO who cannot control his subordinates is either incompetent or a liar,” Beatrice interjected smoothly.
“In your case, Charles, you are both.”
Charles glared at Beatrice with pure malice. “You miserable little parasite. I gave you a job!”
“You gave me thirty percent less than the male supervisors and expected me to cover your frauds,” she countered.
Dante walked up to Charles until they were standing eye-to-eye.
The height difference was minimal, but the aura of power radiating from Dante crushed the older man completely.
“Effective immediately, Wilkes & Hart is resigning from managing all Moretti assets,” Dante said.
“Furthermore, my legal team has already filed a restraining order protecting Miss Gallagher and her family.”
“You can’t do this,” Charles gasped. “The publicity will ruin the firm!”
“The publicity is the least of your concerns, Charles,” Dante murmured, leaning in close.
“The federal prosecutors will receive a copy of this folder at eight o’clock tomorrow morning.”
“Unless…” Dante paused, letting the word hang heavy in the air.
May you like
Charles grasped at the straw like a drowning man. “Unless what? Anything! What do you want?”
“Unless you sign a full confession and hand over your private shares in the firm to Beatrice Gallagher.”
