Chapter 11 - The Phantom of the PastPeace, in the world of billionaires, is merely a brief intermission between wars.
A month after the European merger was finalized, my father threw a gala at the Pierre Hotel to celebrate the dawn of the new Escalante era. The ballroom was a breathtaking spectacle of gilded mirrors, cascading white orchids, and crystal chandeliers that refracted the light into a million dazzling prisms. The guest list was a curated collection of global power players: tech moguls, European aristocrats, and Wall Street titans.
I wore a backless, emerald-green silk gown by Oscar de la Renta, the fabric pooling like liquid glass around my feet. Julian stood by my side, looking devastatingly handsome in a bespoke Tom Ford tuxedo. His hand rested possessively on the small of my back, a silent, comforting anchor amidst the flashing cameras and the endless stream of congratulations.
"You look bored, my queen," Julian murmured, leaning in close so that his breath ghosted against my ear.
"Not bored," I smiled, taking a delicate sip of my Dom Pérignon. "Just calculating. Everyone in this room is smiling at me, but half of them are wondering if my father handed me the reins too soon. They are waiting for me to slip."
"Then let them wait for eternity," Julian chuckled softly. "You’ve outmaneuvered every veteran on your board. There isn't a soul in this room who can touch you."
"Are you entirely sure about that, Julian?"
The voice was female, smooth as velvet, and dripping with an unmistakable, aristocratic arrogance.
I turned. Standing a few feet away was a woman who commanded the room's attention simply by existing. She was tall, statuesque, with striking platinum-blonde hair pulled back into a severe, elegant chignon. She wore a blood-red couture gown that screamed old money, and her pale blue eyes were locked onto Julian with a familiarity that made my blood run instantly cold.
Julian’s posture stiffened. The relaxed, charming billionaire vanished, replaced immediately by a guarded, lethal predator.
"Victoria," Julian said, his voice dropping into a freezing, absolute register.
"Hello, darling," Victoria smiled, stepping closer. She didn't look at me. She kept her eyes fixed entirely on Julian. "I heard you were playing playing knight in shining armor for the Escalante heiress. I had to fly in from London to see it for myself."
"You shouldn't have wasted the jet fuel," Julian replied coldly. "You aren't on the guest list."
"Oh, Julian. You know I don't need invitations," Victoria purred. Finally, she turned her icy gaze to me. She looked me up and down, a masterclass in silent, condescending judgment. "You must be Mariana. I am Victoria Sterling. CEO of Sterling Global Logistics."
The name hit me like a physical blow. Sterling Global was the largest shipping and logistics conglomerate in Europe. They controlled the ports that were absolutely vital to my newly finalized merger.
"Ms. Sterling," I said, my voice perfectly level, my face an impenetrable mask. "I am familiar with your company. Though I confess, I am not familiar with your connection to my partner."
Victoria let out a soft, mocking laugh. "Partner? Is that what he’s calling it? Julian and I were engaged for three years, Mariana. We built our respective empires side by side. Before he realized he had a savior complex and decided to rescue a battered housewife."
The insult was designed to humiliate me, to strip away my power and reduce me back to the broken girl in the Kensington mansion. But Victoria Sterling didn't know who she was dealing with.
I didn't flinch. I didn't look at Julian for reassurance. I took a step forward, closing the distance between us until I was inches from her face.
"I see," I whispered, my lips curving into a dangerous, razor-sharp smile. "Well, Victoria, it seems Julian has a habit of upgrading. You built an empire, yes. But I am the empire. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have a celebration to attend. And you are standing in my light."
Victoria’s smug smile faltered for a fraction of a second. She glared at me, genuine hatred flashing in her icy eyes.
"Enjoy the party, Mariana," Victoria hissed, leaning in closer. "Because tomorrow morning, your European supply chain is going to hit a massive, insurmountable wall. I own the ports. I own the shipping lanes. And I am going to choke your merger to death."
May you like
She turned on her heel and walked away, her red dress disappearing into the sea of black tuxedos.
I stood perfectly still, my heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs. The war wasn't over. A new enemy had just breached the gates.
Related Stories
