Chapter 149
Chapter 149:
“It’s a security feed in a company warehouse,” Skye said, her voice smooth. “Standard protocol. We have to ensure the sanitation engineers are performing their duties p>
Skye set the coffee cup down. The ceramic clicked against the glass desk.
“She isn’t breaking yet,” Skye observed. “She’s bending. She’s crying. But she still has that look in her eyes. The look of someone who thinks this is temporary p>
“She thinks Liam will rescue her,” Harper guessed.
“Exactly,” Skye said. “Hope is a cruel thing to leave a person with, Harper. It prolongs the suffering p>
The intercom on her desk buzzed.
“Ms. Sterling,” her assistant’s voice came through. “There is a call on line one. It’s the Kensington Manor. Beatrice Kensington p>
Skye’s eyes narrowed slightly. The Matriarch. The woman who had looked down on Skye for five years, treating her like a breeding mare that failed to produce.
“Put her through,” Skye said.
She picked up the receiver. She didn’t speak first. She waited.
“Skye,” Beatrice’s voice was thin and sharp, like a wire cutter. “I assume you are pleased with yourself. The stock price dropped another four percent this morning p>
“The market reacts to instability, Beatrice,” Skye replied, leaning back in her leather chair, her tone devoid of warmth. “Perhaps if your grandson’s divorce proceedings weren’t becoming a public circus, investor confidence would be higher p>
There was silence on the other end. A heavy, judgmental silence.
“Dinner,” Beatrice snapped. “Tonight. Seven o’clock. Don’t be late p>
“I have no interest in breaking bread with you, Beatrice,” Skye replied coolly. “If you want to discuss Liam’s incompetence, call my lawyers p>
“It isn’t a social call,” Beatrice hissed, her impatience flaring. “The lawyers have drafted the final Asset Separation Agreement. The Trust requires your signature in person to finalize the divorce and sever your access to the family holdings completely. Unless you want to drag this out in court for another year p>
Skye paused. Beatrice was lying about the necessity of an in-person meeting—digital signatures were legally binding—but the urgency suggested an ulterior motive. Beatrice wanted her there for a reason.
𝖢o𝗺𝗽l𝖾𝘵e ѕ𝗍𝘰rі𝗲𝗌 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘭ոov𝗲𝗅𝘴.c𝘰𝘮
“I’ll be there,” Skye said, her curiosity piqued. “But have the pen ready. I’m not staying for dessert p>
“Just come,” Beatrice commanded. “And dress appropriately. We have… witnesses to the signing p>
She hung up.
Skye stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. The city sprawled beneath her, a grid of power and ambition.
“What are you going to wear?” Harper asked.
Skye smiled. It was not a nice smile.
“Something loud,” Skye said. “Something that screams, ‘I am not mourning my marriage. I am celebrating its funeral p>
At 6:45 p.m., the rain had started again. Seraphina stood outside the warehouse, waiting for the bus. She had missed the first one because Hank made her re-mop the hallway.