Chapter 4 - THE VIPERS
Stepping into the glass-walled lobby of Vance Global the next morning felt like walking into my own execution.
I was wearing a tailored navy suit Julian had sent to my apartment at dawn. I looked like the corporate executive I was supposed to be twelve years ago, before Marcus’s threats forced me into the shadows.
Julian met me at the private elevator. He didn't say a word, just handed me a black coffee—two sugars, just the way I used to drink it. A small gesture that twisted the knife in my chest.
"The board meeting is in ten minutes," Julian said as the doors slid shut. "Marcus will be there. Follow my lead. Do not speak unless I ask you to."
"What is the play?" I asked.
"We present the signed German contract. Marcus will be expecting a disaster. When he realizes Sterling failed, he will panic. Watch his face. Watch who he texts."
We stepped onto the executive floor. The boardroom was massive, filled with twelve men and women in immaculate suits. At the head of the table sat Marcus Vance. He looked older, his hair graying at the temples, but his eyes held the same cruel, arrogant spark I remembered from the night he drove me out of the city.
Marcus looked up as Julian entered. Then, his eyes shifted to me.
The color drained entirely from Marcus’s face. He actually gripped the edge of the mahogany table, knuckles turning bone-white. For a terrifying second, I thought he was going to scream.
"Morning, Marcus," Julian said casually, dropping the signed contract onto the center of the table. "I believe you were worried about the Weber acquisition. As you can see, it's finalized. Favorable terms."
Marcus couldn't even look at the contract. His eyes were pinned to me. "Who... who is this?"
"My new executive consultant. Anna Miller," Julian said smoothly.
"That's impossible," Marcus breathed.
"Is there a problem, Marcus?" Julian asked, his voice laced with venomous politeness.
Marcus recovered, swallowing hard and forcing a sickening smile. "No. No problem. Miss Miller just... reminds me of someone I used to know. Someone who made a very tragic mistake."
He looked right at me when he said it. A clear, undeniable threat.
The meeting was a blur. I sat quietly, making notes, watching Marcus. Just as Julian predicted, Marcus slid his phone under the table. I caught the reflection in the glass of water in front of him. He was texting heavily.
When the meeting ended, the room cleared quickly. Julian stepped out to take a call, leaving me alone in the room with Marcus.
Marcus closed the door. He didn't approach me, just leaned against the wood.
"I don't know how you survived that crash, Mia," he said softly, dropping the act entirely. "But coming back here is the stupidest thing you've ever done."
"I'm here to work for Julian," I kept my voice steady. "That's all."
Marcus laughed, a dry, harsh sound. "Does he know?"
May you like
My stomach plummeted. "Know what?"
"Don't play dumb with me, you little gutter trash. I had you followed for the first two years. I know you didn't run alone." Marcus tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Does my arrogant, perfect brother know that somewhere in this city, he has an eleven-year-old bastard son?"
