Chapter 8: The Sabotage
A wounded animal is the most dangerous kind. Liam could not touch Luna directly without facing his father's wrath, so he resorted to the only weapon he understood: corporate sabotage.
Three weeks later, Carter Events was preparing for its biggest contract yet—the annual fundraising gala for the Safe Haven Women’s Shelter. It was a massive event that required a flawless execution. Luna had booked the historic Grand Atrium in Manhattan, secured top-tier catering, and confirmed a guest list of major philanthropic donors.
It was supposed to be the night that put her agency on the map.
Two days before the event, the sky fell.
Luna was at the venue doing a walkthrough when her phone rang. It was Maya, and she was in a panic.
"Luna, you need to sit down," Maya said, her voice shaking.
"What's wrong? Did the florists delay the delivery?"
"Worse. The venue just canceled our contract."
Luna froze. The massive, glass-domed ceiling of the Atrium seemed to spin above her. "They can't do that. We paid the deposit in full. We have a signed agreement."
"They invoked a hidden 'maintenance emergency' clause," Maya explained frantically. "I just got off the phone with their management. But Luna... the manager let it slip. Someone bought the holding company that owns the Atrium yesterday. They ordered the immediate cancellation of all non-profit events for 'renovations.'"
"Who bought the holding company?" Luna asked, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, though she already knew the answer.
"A subsidiary of the Sterling Group," Maya said.
Liam’s best friend. Liam had used his connections to pull the rug out from under her biggest night, knowing it would bankrupt her new agency and ruin the charity's fundraiser.
Luna hung up the phone. She didn't cry. The time for crying over Liam's cruelty was long gone. She felt a cold, furious determination settle over her bones.
She walked out of the Atrium and dialed Nico. He answered on the first ring.
"He blocked the venue," Luna said simply.
Silence on the other end. Then, the sound of Nico shifting in his leather office chair. "Liam used the Sterling boy?"
"Yes. They triggered an emergency clause. I have two days to find a venue for four hundred elite guests, or my agency is dead and a women's shelter loses its funding."
"Luna, listen to me," Nico said, his voice a bedrock of absolute support. "I own three commercial event spaces in Midtown. The Pierre, the Glasshouse, and the rooftop at the Vanguard. Take your pick. They are yours. I will cover the catering difference. I will handle the logistics transfer."
It was the easy way out. It was a golden parachute offered by a billionaire.
Luna closed her eyes, leaning against the cold brick of the building. "Nico... I love you for offering that. I really do. But if I use your venues, Liam wins. He will tell the entire social circle that I failed, and that my rich boyfriend had to bail me out. My business will be seen as your charity project."
"Luna, there is no shame in utilizing your network," Nico argued gently.
"No," Luna said, her voice hardening with resolve. "I am not going to use your buildings. I am going to beat him at his own game."
"How?"
"I need you to do one thing for me," Luna said, her mind racing, forming a brilliant, incredibly risky plan. "I need you to call the Mayor's office. Don't ask for a favor. Just ask them to expedite an outdoor permit for Brooklyn Bridge Park for Saturday night."
May you like
"An outdoor gala? In October?" Nico asked, surprised.
"People don't want another stuffy ballroom, Nico. They want a story," Luna said, a fierce smile touching her lips. "I’m going to give them a masterpiece."
