Chapter 77
Chapter 77:
“Good,” Skye said, sipping her tea. “Let him panic p>
Her phone rang. It was Liam.
Skye let it ring twice, then answered. “What p>
“I need you,” Liam said. His voice was tight, strained. “The Tech Summit. Next week. Beatrice says if I don’t show up with my wife, I’m out p>
“That sounds like a you problem,” Skye said comfortably.
“Skye, please. I’m begging you. Just this one night. If I lose the CEO position, the stock tanks. Your shares tank too p>
Skye smiled. He was trying to appeal to her greed. He didn’t realize she was playing a different game.
“I’ll do it,” Skye said slowly. “On one condition p>
“Anything p>
“I want you to sign over the exclusive logistics easements and the railway access permits for the West Harbor district,” Skye said, her voice sharp and precise.
“The railway permits?” Liam sounded confused. “Kensington Global has held those for decades. We use them for storage. Why do you care about some rusty tracks next to that swamp you bought p>
“Because your company has been using those permits to block my construction trucks from entering the main site,” Skye replied coldly. “You’ve been strangling my development project out of spite, Liam. I want the blockade lifted. Transfer the usage rights to Oracle Holdings. Tonight p>
There was a long silence. Liam was calculating. He thought the land was worthless, just a vanity project for her. He didn’t realize those permits were the only thing stopping her from breaking ground on a billion-dollar eco-hub.
“Fine,” Liam said. “I’ll have Legal draw it up. But you have to look happy. You have to sell it p>
“I’m an excellent actress, Liam. I pretended to love you for five years, didn’t I p>
She hung up.
M𝗼rе 𝗇𝘰𝗏e𝘭s on 𝖻е.c𝗼𝗺
“He agreed?” Harper asked, eyes wide.
“He thinks he’s trading a few rusty keys for his crown,” Skye said, a predatory glint in her eyes. “He doesn’t know that the high-speed rail expansion was approved by the city council this morning. Those ‘rusty tracks’ just tripled in value p>
The evening of the Summit approached.
Liam had to liquidate assets to keep up appearances. He couldn’t access the trust, and his salary was being garnished by the debts he’d foolishly co-signed for Seraphina’s mother.
He stood in the hotel garage. His beloved vintage Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder gleamed under the fluorescent lights. It was his pride and joy.
A man in a greasy jumpsuit walked around it, kicking the tires.
“It’s a lowball offer,” Liam said through gritted teeth.
“Cash today,” the man shrugged. “Take it or leave it p>
Liam closed his eyes. He needed the cash. He needed to buy a suit. He needed to pay Seraphina’s motel bills so she wouldn’t show up and cause a scene.
“Take it,” Liam whispered.
He watched the car drive away. He felt a piece of his soul go with it.