The Heiress Crown of Deception

hcroft Tower's penthouse conference suite. Her victory at the board meeting had given her a fleeting sense of relief, but Gre

essing down on her. The morning sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting her desk in a golden l

r, immediately noticing her

" Celeste said,

scanned the message written in

ium tonight at 8. It

the unsigned note again, the

, his expression growing seriou

g the note down. "If it's him, it's a trap. If it'

Oliver asked, his

ing in her chair. "If this is someone willing t

aid. "It's too vague, and v

tly. "Noted. But I

se," he replied firmly, le

or his support even as her

-

itself. Celeste arrived just before 8, her sharp black dress blending seamlessly with the venue's sleek decor. T

reflecting off polished surfaces. She glanced around,

he tall figure approaching

ike a second skin. His dark eyes carried an unsettling mix of war

her table, unsure of his moti

ch. He pulled out the chair across from her an

inic?" she asked, keep

rward slightly. "I heard about your victory in t

st to congratulate me," Celes

. "I summoned you becau

ticism clear on her face. "And

ou, but for everyone who has a stake in Ashcroft Industries. If he takes control, he'l

stake in all th

ies," Dominic said. "If Gregory takes over, those ventures w

an known for his ruthlessness in business, but he also had

the catch?

ise. "I simply want to make sure you succeed. You're s

said, her voice la

everything on the line, to fight against people who think they're entitled to yo

the sincerity in his voice gave her pause. Domin

bout it," she

anding. "Take your time, but don't take

alone at the table, her thou

-

ind replaying every word of her conversation with Dominic. Trusting him was

couch, his expression unread

at him. "He could be playing his own game, or he co

right now. Focus on solidifying your posit

gh the unease in her ch

he tension. She picked it up, her stom

rking garage at mid

s expression hardening. "Let me

e," she said, her grip t

hand," Oliver said. "Y

aid, already movin

les

f it's a trap, I'll deal with it. But if it's

-

ting harsh shadows across the concrete walls. Celeste parked her

echoing loudly in the emptiness. A figure emerged from th

bel

as she approached. "Wh

," Isabelle said

alled?" Celeste aske

id. "Gregory's been making moves behind the scenes-

her eyes. "What

if they support his takeover," Isabelle said. "He's also digging into

down Celeste's spine. "Why

his company apart," Isabelle said. "You may not trust me, but we have a co

against the potential benefits. Isabelle's motives were

"But if you double-cross me, I

irked. "Fai

-

elm her, but sleep was the last thing on her mind. Gregory was mov

he city lights. Her father's voice echoed in her memory on

ter the cost. Because f