Chapter 2
A sudden loud crash echoed from the double doors leading into the penthouse hallway.
I closed the leather binder calmly, sliding it under my worn leather canvas bag.
The heavy oak doors burst open, and Richard stumbled into the room, his tie undone and sweat pouring down his forehead.
Behind him stood two private security guards wearing dark tactical suits, looking extremely uneasy.
“Amelia, what the hell are you doing up here?” Richard gasped, locking the door behind him.
“I’m inspecting my office, Richard,” I said, resting my hands on the back of the executive chair.
“Or what’s left of it after you let your wife turn it into a private casino.”
Richard wiped his face with a silk handkerchief, his hands shaking violently as he took a step toward me.
“You’ve been gone for two years, Amelia! No calls, no updates, nothing from your medical team!”
“I was recovering from an attempted poisoning, Richard,” I reminded him, my voice dropping an octave.
“An attempted poisoning that happened forty-eight hours after I signed your managerial power of attorney.”
Richard went pale, taking a involuntary step back toward his security detail.
“That… that was a tragic medical accident in London!” Richard stammered, his eyes darting to the floor.
“It was arsenic in my tea, Richard,” I corrected softly, stepping out from behind the desk.
“And the only two people who had access to my private residence that weekend were you and Vanessa.”
The two security guards exchanged nervous glances, subtly stepping away from Richard’s side.
“You’re crazy, Amelia!” Richard yelled, trying to regain his dominant posture.
“You walk in here dressed like a vagrant, causing a scene in front of our high-net-worth guests!”
“They aren't your guests, Richard. They are my clients,” I said, pointing to the window overlooking the coast.
“And within twenty-four hours, every single one of them will know you were using their deposits to fund Siren Capital.”
Richard’s face drained of what little color remained, his breathing becoming fast and shallow.
“How do you know about Siren Capital?” he whispered.
May you like
“I know everything, Richard,” I lied smoothly, letting the silence press heavy against his nerves.
“And the state troopers are currently pulling into the main gate.”
