Chapter 3 - Reclaiming the Crown
Julian staggered backward, hitting the edge of the wet bar. He looked at me as if he were seeing a ghost.
“Victoria?” he stammered. “How did you get back up here? Your keycard was deactivated!”
“I didn't need a keycard, Julian,” I said smoothly, walking into the center of the room and looking around at the mess Lexi had made. Empty champagne bottles on the rug, her cheap stiletto heels kicked off onto my imported silk cushions. “I own the biometric master code. I own the elevators. I own the concrete beneath your feet and the airspace above your head.”
I turned my gaze to Lexi. She shrank back, suddenly looking very small inside my oversized coat.
“Take it off,” I ordered softly.
“W-what?” Lexi squeaked.
“The coat. And the bracelet. Take them off right now, or Vance will remove them for you. And trust me, he won’t be gentle.”
Lexi frantically looked at Julian for protection, but Julian was paralyzed, his mind desperately trying to compute the apocalyptic shift in his reality. When he offered no defense, Lexi scrambled to unbutton the coat, letting it slide to the floor, and frantically unclasped the diamond tennis bracelet, setting it on the coffee table with shaking hands.
“Julian, do something!” she finally shrieked.
Julian found his voice, stepping forward with false bravado. “This is a bluff. You’re playing a game, Victoria. You don't have the legal authority to seize my assets. My lawyers will slaughter you in court tomorrow.”
“Your lawyers?” I raised an eyebrow. “You mean the firm of Sterling & Hayes? I just received a text from their senior partner. They’ve dropped you as a client due to a sudden conflict of interest. It turns out my grandfather is their largest retaining client.”
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I walked over to the coffee table, picked up my grandmother’s diamonds, and clasped them securely around my own wrist. The cold metal felt like a suit of armor.
“Pack your things, Julian,” I said, not looking at him. “You have exactly ten minutes before Vance physically throws you out onto the Strip. And Lexi? The only exit you're allowed to use is the service elevator by the dumpsters. Don't let me catch you in my lobby again.”
