Chapter 4
Nathaniel's voice remained even, almost stone-like.
"Ms. Quinn, as instructed, the full acquisition of Starlight Innovations has been completed. All the documents are with me."
My heartbeat skipped, but my voice stayed steady.
"Thank you, Mr. Brown. The remaining payment has already been transferred to your account. I'll reach out regarding the next steps."
"Understood, Ms. Quinn.
"Pleasure working with you."
I ended the call.
My grip tightened around the phone, my knuckles pale.
Starlight Innovations.
A forgotten piece in Simon's business empire.
Three years ago, Simon had taken over that small startup through less than honorable means.
He wanted the core algorithm patent they held.
The founder was a tech-focused guy who didn't understand business. Simon played him, left him with nothing, and bound him with a non-compete clause that shut down any chance of a comeback.
After securing the patent, Simon tossed the company aside and let it wither.
He thought it was a dead piece on the board.
What he didn't know was that this discarded piece was the most critical part of my entire plan.
I took a deep breath and steadied myself.
From today on, Starlight Innovations belongs to Quinn.
I walked over to the bar and poured myself another glass of wine.
This calls for a small celebration.
The first step is firmly in place.
My phone lit up again with a news alert.
The headline was hard to miss.
[Rising business star Simon says he and his ex-wife parted on good terms, with no property disputes.]
The photo showed him outside his office building, surrounded by reporters.
He faced the cameras with a calm expression, even a faint smile.
Composed, polished, untouchable.
He framed everything as a simple matter of incompatibility.
He cast himself as the gracious, wronged party.
And me, of course, as the unreasonable, greedy woman.
A neat move.
I closed the article.
Public opinion didn't matter to me.
What mattered was what came next.
I opened my contacts and found a name I hadn't touched in years.
Evan Woods.
The founder of Starlight Innovations.
The brilliant programmer Simon had ruined.
My finger hovered over the call button. I hesitated.
I didn't know if he still trusted anyone.
Just then, the doorbell rang again.
I frowned.
The West family really didn't know when to stop.
I walked over, annoyed, and checked through the peephole.
It wasn't anyone from the West family.
A stranger stood outside.
He was well dressed in a suit, tall, composed, with a steady presence.
As if sensing my gaze, he looked up slightly and offered a polite smile toward the door.
I didn't recognize him.
I opened the door a crack, keeping my guard up.
"Who are you looking for?"
He spoke gently. "Ms. Quinn?"
His voice was low and smooth.
"That's me."
"My name is Lucas Grant."
He handed me a business card.
"Sorry to drop by unannounced. I'd like to discuss a business opportunity."
Lucas?
The name sounded familiar.
I took the card.
GlobalSphere Corporation. President. Lucas Grant.
My eyes narrowed slightly.
GlobalSphere Corporation.
Simon's biggest domestic competitor.
What was he doing here?
"Mr. Grant, I don't think we have any business to discuss."
My tone cooled, and I started to close the door.
"Ms. Quinn, just a moment."
He reached out and lightly held the door.
His touch was controlled, not forceful.
"I know you've just walked away from your marriage. I also know you received a substantial settlement."
His gaze was sharp, almost as if he could see through everything.
"Simon is a proud man. The higher he stands now, the harder he'll fall. I believe you're smart enough to see that."
Something in his words made my heart jolt.
There was more behind them.
"Mr. Grant, what exactly are you trying to say?"
"I'd like to work with you."
His expression was sincere.
"We have a common enemy, don't we? The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
I studied him.
For a full half minute.
Then I smiled.
"Mr. Grant, you've got the wrong person. Right now, all I want is a comfortable, carefree life. I'm not interested in corporate battles."
I didn't give him another chance to respond.
I shut the door firmly.
This time, he didn't ring the bell again.
I leaned against the door and listened as the footsteps outside faded into the distance.
Only then did I let out a long breath.
Lucas' showing up had caught me off guard.
It was a warning, and not a subtle one.
It meant someone had already set their sights on Simon.
And on me.
I didn't have much time left.
I stopped hesitating and dialed Evan immediately.
The phone rang for a long time before someone finally picked up.
"Hello?"
His voice was rough and tired, edged with caution.
"Hello, is this Mr. Woods?"
"Who is this?"
"That doesn't matter." I kept my voice low. "What matters is this. I have a question for you."
A brief pause.
"Do you want to take back what should have been yours?"
Silence stretched across the line, so long I thought he might have hung up.
Then his voice came through again, strained, almost breaking.
"Who are you?"
"Someone who can help you get revenge," I said. "Someone who can take Starlight Innovations back from Simon."