Alexander
I paced across her pristine living room, moonlight filtering through the tall windows. The London night created dramatic shadows across her terrified face.
“Let me make something absolutely clear,” I said, stopping directly in front of her. “We have everything we need. The pen camera recording captured this entire conversation. Your admission of guilt, your cooperation with Vanessa, the payment to Tyler; every detail is in crystal clear high definition.”
Her eyes widened. “You-”
“This recording stays with us. Consider it your insurance policy and your prison sentence rolled into one neat package. If you step out of line, if you so much as breathe in my direction again, this recording goes to every law enforcement agency on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Selena sank deeper into her chair. “I understand.”
“I don’t think you do,” I replied, leaning closer. “Drugging someone is a felony, Selena. You’re looking at serious jail time. And not some cushy white–collar resort, real prison.”
“I said I understand!” Her voice cracked with panic.
“Good. Now listen carefully.” I straightened up, adjusting my cuffs. “You will not speak of this meeting to anyone. Not your staff, not your colleagues, not your therapist. And especially not Vanessa Caldwell.”
“Why would I-”
“Because she’ll call you,” I interrupted. “She’ll reach out to you again with another brilliant plan. And when she does, you will not answer. You’re going to block her number. Delete her from your contacts. Remove her from social media. As far as you’re concerned, Vanessa Caldwell no longer exists.”
“But she’s Charles Caldwell’s daughter,” Selena protested weakly. “If I suddenly cut her off-”
“That’s not my problem,” I said coldly. “Figure it out. Make an excuse. Tell her you’re busy with work. Tell her you’ve joined a convent. I don’t care what story you spin as long as you stay away from her.”
Selena nodded frantically. “Okay, okay. I won’t talk to her.”
“And one more thing,” I added. “You’re going to forget everything about that night. The drug, the bartender, all of it. If anyone ever asks you about the Morrison event, you weren’t there. You’ve never heard of Tyler Phillips. You know nothing about any incident involving me.”
“I understand,” she whispered.
“Do you?” I raised an eyebrow. “Because if I catch even a whisper of this story circulating, if I hear my name and ‘drugged‘ in the same sentence, I’ll know exactly where it came from. One last thing. If you’re thinking of running to Vanessa with a warning, don’t. She’s next on our list, and anything you tell her will only make things worse for both of you.”
The color drained from Selena’s face. “You’re going after Vanessa?”
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“Did you think I wouldn’t?” I laughed, the sound harsh in the quiet room. “She orchestrated this whole thing. Of course, I’m going to have a chat with her.”
“She’ll deny everything,” Selena said quickly. “She’ll say it was all my idea.”
“Probably,” I agreed. “But I have this.” I tapped the pen again.
Selena looked utterly defeated. “What do you want from me? I’ve told you everything.”
“Stay away from me, stay away from Knight Industries, and stay away from Vanessa Caldwell. That’s all I want from you.
She nodded miserably. “I’m sorry. I really am. I never thought-”
“That’s right, you never thought,” I cut in. “You never considered what might happen if your little plan went wrong. If I’d had a bad reaction to whatever was in that vial, I could have died. Did that possibility ever cross your mind?”
Selena’s eyes filled with tears. “No. Vanessa swore it was harmless.”
“And you believed her because it was convenient,” I said disgustedly. “Because saying no might have hurt your precious career.”
“I made a mistake,” she whispered. “A terrible mistake.”
“Yes, you did.” I buttoned my jacket, preparing to leave. “Don’t make another one.”
Leo opened the door and checked the hallway before nodding to me. The security guards were nowhere to be seen, probably dismissed by Selena’s earlier command.
I turned back to Selena one last time. “Remember what I said. Not a word to anyone. Not ever.”
“I promise,” she said, her voice small.
With that, Leo and I walked out, leaving Selena Johnson alone with her regrets and our threats hanging in the air.
The cool London night embraced us as we stepped onto the sidewalk. A light drizzle had started, giving the street lamps that ethereal glow unique to this city. I buttoned my coat against the chill, my mind racing with everything we’d just learned.
“So,” Leo said, glancing back at the townhouse. “You buying her story?”
I ran a hand through my hair, raindrops already collecting on the strands. “Partially. The details about Vanessa track with what we already know.”
“Could be rehearsed,” Leo countered. “She had plenty of time to craft a convincing narrative.”
“True, but the panic was real. The way she reacted when we mentioned the café? That wasn’t acting.”
“She pulled a gun on us. Not exactly the mark of an innocent bystander.”
“Never said she was innocent.” A cab pulled up beside us, but I waved it on. “Just that her story about Vanessa might be legitimate.”
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“So what’s the play?”
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I scanned the quiet street, noting the security cameras positioned on nearby buildings. “We keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn’t warn Vanessa or try anything stupid.”
“I’ve got a guy here in London,” Leo said, pulling out his phone. “He can keep tabs on our friend Selena and make sure she behaves herself.”
“Perfect.” I nodded. “Set it up.”
Leo tapped at his phone, the blue light illuminating his face in the darkness. “What about Vanessa? You really think she masterminded this whole thing because you wouldn’t return her calls?”
“Some people don’t handle rejection well.” I shrugged. “Remember that model in Milan?”
“The one who slashed your tires?” Leo laughed. “How could I forget? But drugging you is several steps beyond property damage.”
“We’ll get the full picture when we talk to Vanessa.”
Chapter 259
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
