Chapter 10 - THE TRAP CLOSES
The private terrace overlooking Lake Michigan was cool and quiet.
I stood by the stone railing, sipping sparkling water.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Heavy.
Rapid.
“Are you out of your mind?!” Adrian’s voice hissed through the darkness.
I turned slowly to face him.
He stood ten feet away, his chest heaving, his tie slightly loosened.
“You’re walking arm-in-arm with my worst enemy,” Adrian growled, stepping closer.
“Technically, I’m walking arm-in-arm with my business partner,” I replied smoothly.
“Get away from him, Claire!” Adrian reached out to grab my wrist.
I sidestepped him with cold precision.
“Don't touch me, Adrian.”
His hand dropped back to his side, trembling with suppressed fury.
“Come home,” he whispered, his voice cracking slightly.
“Let’s fix this. We can go away—anywhere you want.”
“Home?” I laughed softly, looking out over the dark water.
“The mansion in Lake Forest isn't a home, Adrian. It’s a cage.”
“And you made your choice about who you wanted in it with you.”
“Lily was a mistake,” he pleaded, desperation breaking through his tough exterior.
“She’s a business asset, nothing more!”
“Then you’ll be thrilled to know she’s about to become a federal inmate,” I said, stepping right up to him.
“What are you talking about?”
“Federal prosecutors received all of Lily’s shadow ledgers this morning.”
“Freeze orders on Moretti Holdings' primary accounts were signed by Judge Vance an hour ago.”
Adrian stared at me as if I had struck him across the face.
“You... you did this?”
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“You taught me how to survive in your world, Adrian,” I smiled, my eyes completely ice.
“I just learned how to conquer it.”
