Chapter 4
The penthouse suite was silent, illuminated only by the glowing lights of the Manhattan skyline outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Charlotte stood in front of the bathroom mirror, carefully cleaning the cut on her cheek with an antiseptic wipe.
A sharp knock echoed through the suite, and the heavy oak door opened to reveal a tall man in a dark tactical suit.
Marcus Vance stepped into the room, his sharp eyes scanning the space before locking onto Charlotte.
"You look like you fought your way through a war zone, cousin," Marcus said, his deep voice filled with quiet concern.
"Evelyn's men caught up with me near the docks in Brooklyn," Charlotte explained, throwing the used wipe into the trash.
"They thought taking my bag would end the probate hearing."
Marcus pulled a secure tablet from his coat, tapping the screen to display a series of complex corporate charts.
"They didn't realize you had already registered the master deed with the Federal Land Registry in Washington," Marcus noted.
"Julian Sterling called an emergency board meeting for tomorrow morning at nine o'clock at the Park Avenue headquarters."
"He intends to file for emergency bankruptcy protection to liquidate your primary holdings."
Charlotte took a slow sip of ice water, her expression hardening into pure, unshakeable resolve.
May you like
"Then we won't wait for nine o'clock," Charlotte declared.
"We strike at midnight."
