Chapter 11 - The Empty Penthouse
A week passed. The trial preparations for the Sterlings dominated the global news cycle. Clara Vance, the resilient widow who outsmarted a corrupt dynasty, became an overnight icon. She took control of the company, firing Thomas Graves and the corrupt board members, and replacing them with loyal, fierce executives.
But as she sat in the massive CEO office overlooking the city, the victory felt hollow.
Elias was gone.
Since the night at the bank, he had vanished. His men no longer guarded her door. His penthouse was empty when she went to visit. He had fulfilled his promise and slipped back into the shadows of the underworld.
Clara stared at the silver ring on her finger. She had fought so hard to keep it, to honor Julian. But now, she realized that Julian’s ring represented the past. She had survived it. But what about her future?
She picked up her phone and typed a message to the same encrypted number she had used in the rain.
I need to see you. One last time.
May you like
The reply came almost instantly, sending a jolt of electricity through her veins.
Rooftop. Midnight.
