Chapter 13: Serpent’s Venom
The air in Blackthorn Group’s boardroom turned leaden.
The CFO slammed the report onto the conference table, hand trembling. “Mr. Blackthorn–‘Ivy’s Whisper‘ has bled $168 million USD. The banks just froze our liquid assets!”
Zane sat at the head, knuckles white on the armrests.
Three months ago. Ivy had pouted about launching her dream fashion label. He’d approved massive funding without due diligence. Now the project was a carcass–investors fleeing, Blackthorn’s financial arteries severed.
“Leverage our Swiss holdings. Mortgage non–voting shares,” Zane commanded, voice arctic.
“But those are the family’s last unencumbered assets!” The CFO’s temple gleamed with sweat.
“The Board won’t-”
“Do it.” Zane’s gaze silenced the room.
Chaos reigned at Blackthorn Manor.
Anna Blackthorn stormed into the parlor, her porcelain face twisted with rage. She hurled bank statements at Ivy, who lounged on a velvet divan, polishing her nails.
“Aunt Anna! What a surpri-”
Anna’s palm struck Ivy’s cheek with vicious force.
“You viper! You siphoned Blackthorn funds–for a private island?!” Anna shook the evidence–wire transfers, auction records for jewels purchased under Zane’s name. “These are generations of
Blackthorn wealth!”
Ivy clutched her face, tears welling instantly. “Zane said I could-!”
Anna staggered back, clutching her chest. “You’ve ruined us
The butler caught her as she crumpled. “Call an ambulance! Now!”
Amidst the wailing sirens, Ivy fired off a text:
[Zane, Aunt Anna collapsed! She misunderstood everything… I’m terrified…]
Outside the hospital VIP suite, Blackthorn’s Board elders intercepted Zane.
“That leech triggered Anna’s heart attack!” Director Mitchell jabbed a finger toward the ICU
Chapter 13: Serpent’s Venom
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window where Anna lay tubed and monitored, “Now the Group hemorrhages cash–and you shield that parasite?”
Zane ripped his tie loose. “Ivy’s far too fragile for such schemes. The liquidity crisis is my responsibility.”
“Responsibility? By pawning your birthright?” Director Li slammed a folder open. “We traced her shell company in the Stellaris Atoll! She’s bleeding us dry!”
The ICU doors flew open. Ivy flung herself against Zane’s chest, sobbing theatrically. “They’re
framing me! I only invested… to help you…!”
Zane’s arms locked around her. “Where is the proof?”
The Board fell silent. Ivy had scrubbed the digital trails; the offshore accounts were ghost ships.
“Enough.” Zane lifted Ivy like fragile china. “Board meeting adjourned.”
In the corridor’s shadows, Ivy’s face pressed into Zane’s shoulder–her mouth curved in a
venomous smile.
Zane stood at his pentoffice window. The city’s skyline glittered like fool’s gold below.
His assistant stood rigid, “Swiss Bank demands full margin coverage within 72 hours–or forced liquidation initiates.”
Zane’s phone lit up–Ivy’s newest demand:
[Saw the most exquisite pink diamond pendant at Cartier! pouty face emoji]
Price tag: $0.9 million.
Zane’s thumb hovered. Then tapped Transfer All.
The assistant swallowed hard, placing a file on the desk. “One more thing. The designer Nadia Sterling… We have her temporary Val–de–Rêve address.”
Zane whirled. The file exploded, papers snowing across marble.
A photograph skidded to his feet.
Nova Sterling, draped in ivory silk, standing before her “Stardust” exhibition display.
Three months vanished.
Outside, thunder detonated across the sky.
Chapter 13: Serpent’s Venom
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Rain sheeted down the glass, drowning the city in silver.
