Chapter 12: The False Sense of Security
The Global Economic Summit in Geneva was a glittering assembly of the most powerful financial titans on earth. Hosted at the opulent Hotel des Bergues, the grand ballroom was filled with billionaires, world leaders, and corporate warlords mingling over crystal flutes of Dom Pérignon.
I wore a custom, breathtaking silver sequined gown that fit like liquid armor, with a diamond choker resting against my collarbones. Cassian stood beside me, radiating a quiet, terrifying dominance that naturally parted the crowd wherever we walked.
We had spent the evening playing the perfect, graceful power couple, allowing the whispers of the European elite to wash over us. They were all watching Damian Croft.
Croft was holding court near the center of the room, loudly boasting to a group of German investors. He looked exactly like the arrogant, silver-spoon heir he was, wearing a flashy tuxedo and a smug expression. When he saw Cassian and me approaching, his smile widened into a predatory sneer.
"Cassian, Serena," Croft greeted us, his British accent dripping with condescension. He didn't offer his hand. "I wasn't sure you'd make it. I heard little Aria had a slight fever earlier this week. It must be so difficult balancing corporate figurehead duties with being a full-time mother, Serena."
The surrounding investors went dead silent. The sheer disrespect was a calculated insult designed to assert dominance.
Cassian’s jaw locked. The muscles in his broad shoulders went rigid, and his stormy eyes turned instantly black. He shifted his weight, preparing to physically tear Croft apart in front of the entire summit.
I placed a gentle, restraining hand on Cassian’s forearm. I didn't want blood on the marble floors. I wanted a total financial execution.
"Aria is perfectly fine, Damian. Thank you for your feigned concern," I replied, my voice a smooth, freezing pitch that easily cut through the ambient noise of the ballroom. "And I find balancing motherhood quite simple when you employ the most efficient corporate infrastructure in the hemisphere."
Croft chuckled, taking a sip of his champagne. "Efficient? That’s an interesting word. Because from where I’m sitting in London, Kensington Global looks a bit... bloated. Vulnerable. Especially your European logistics division. I hear the board is getting restless under your 'maternal' leadership."
"The board answers to me, Damian," I smiled, completely unfazed. "But if you feel you can run my assets better than I can, you are welcome to try. Though I must warn you, the entry fee is quite steep."
Croft leaned in, his eyes gleaming with greedy arrogance. "I’ve already paid the entry fee, Serena. By tomorrow morning, Croft Holdings will announce a hostile takeover of your logistics division. I have the proxy votes. I have the capital. You should go home to your daughter. This game is a bit too fast-paced for you now."
Cassian let out a low, dark laugh that chilled the room. "You have absolutely no idea what you've just done, do you?"
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"We shall see," Croft sneered, turning his back on us to resume his conversation with the Germans.
I looked at Cassian, a slow, lethal smile spreading across my face. The trap had been set, and the rat had just swallowed the poison entirely.
