Chapter 5 - A Sister’s Venom: Vanessa’s Desperate Audition
Alexander tapped the speakerphone button on his desk, his expression remaining completely unreadable.
"Hayes," Alexander answered, his voice icy and dismissive.
From the speaker, Vanessa’s voice came through instantly. Gone was the shrill, arrogant screech she had used in my parents’ dining room. In its place was a breathy, honey-laced purr—the exact voice she used whenever she was trying to manipulate wealthy men at charity fundraisers.
"Alexander... oh, thank heavens you picked up," Vanessa sighed softly, making sure to sound vulnerable and breathless. "I am so, so sorry for calling your private line so late, but I simply couldn't sleep after the dreadful scene at my parents’ house tonight."
Alexander leaned back in his chair, folding his hands over his chest, gesturing for me to stay silent. "You have thirty seconds, Vanessa."
"I know, I know you're busy, Alexander," Vanessa continued hurriedly, her tone becoming intimately conspiratorial. "I just wanted to apologize on behalf of my family. My parents... well, they've gotten old and desperate, and they behaved terribly. But more importantly, I wanted to warn you."
"Warn me?" Alexander raised an eyebrow, shooting me an amused glance.
"About Emma," Vanessa said, dropping her voice to a dramatic whisper. "Alexander, you are a brilliant, powerful man. You deserve a woman who matches your stature, someone who knows how to navigate high society, someone with poise and elegance. Emma... she’s unstable. She has a documented history of financial fraud in our family. She plays the victim, but she’s manipulative. She’s only using you to get back at our parents!"
I felt a cold shiver of disgust run down my spine. My own sister, who had watched me scrub floors and endure years of verbal abuse, was actively trying to destroy my happiness within hours of my escape.
"Is that your expert opinion, Vanessa?" Alexander asked, his voice dripping with silky venom that Vanessa was clearly too self-absorbed to detect.
"It is!" Vanessa purred eagerly, sensing an opening. "I just hate to see a man of your caliber get deceived. In fact, my husband and I are attending the Metropolitan Museum’s Winter Gala next Tuesday. I would love to meet you for private cocktails before the event... just the two of us. I can explain the real truth about Emma, and perhaps we can discuss how my husband’s investment firm can collaborate with Hayes Global."
Alexander let out a slow, terrifying laugh—a sound that caused even Arthur Pendelton to wince slightly in the corner.
"Vanessa," Alexander said, each word landing like a lead hammer. "Do you truly believe I achieved a thirty-billion-dollar net worth by being blind to cheap, desperate social climbers like you?"
The line went dead silent. Vanessa’s sharp intake of breath was audible over the speaker.
"A-Alexander... I was only trying to—"
"You are a hollow, malicious parasite who has lived off your sister’s suffering for six years," Alexander interrupted ruthlessly. "Your husband’s firm has been operating on borrowed margins for eighteen months. By tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, Hayes Global will terminate all clearinghouse agreements with his fund. You won't be attending the Winter Gala, Vanessa. You won't even be able to afford the valet fee."
"Wait! No! Alexander, please—!" Vanessa shrieked, all of her fake sweetness instantly vanishing into raw panic.
Alexander didn't let her finish. He tapped the red button, cutting the call off instantly.
The silence returned to the study, thick and heavy.
I sat there, staring at the blank phone screen, my hands trembling slightly. "She really thought she could turn you against me."
"She is a fool, Emma," Alexander said, leaning forward and taking my hand into his once again. "She measures human worth in designer labels and country club memberships. She has no idea what real strength looks like. But she will learn. They all will."
Before I could reply, the main house phone chimed with an urgent alert.
Mrs. Gable’s voice came through the intercom: "Mr. Hayes, forgive the late intrusion. There is a young man at the building’s security gate downstairs demanding to see Miss Emma. He is shouting at the guards and refusing to leave. Security identifies him as Logan Whitmore."
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Alexander’s eyes narrowed into dangerous slits.
"It seems the golden boy wants to try his luck," Alexander murmured, standing up to his full height. "Arthur, call the building's tactical security team. Emma, put your shoes on. It’s time we show your brother what happens when he steps into my world."
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