Art of Seduction

only by the rhythmic ticking of the antique clock on the wall. On the table before him lay an envelope,its contents explosi

verything they had built, after every sacrifice he had made to provide

d him from his thoughts.

carried a laptop under one arm and a fol

t across from him. "I ass

ussell's been poaching your clients, yes, but he's also been funneling funds t

tightened.

actions tie back to Sharon as a proxy. Either she knew and

lass rattle. "She knew. Don't try to sugarcoat th

haron may have betrayed you emotionally,

e. What I care about is the fact that she let Russel

. "What's the next step? Do you want to

e rigid. "I'm dealing with both. Sharon's going to answer

now a distant memory. The walls were bare, the furniture minimalist. She had traded her d

she hesitated before picking it up. The na

utton. Finally, she swiped. "Jacob,"

ings," came h

ped. "What are y

s, enough betrayal. You have until t

. "Jacob, please,let's talk

plain, Sharon? The photos of you and Russell? The stolen clients?

er. "I didn't... I didn't know about an

ve been sleeping with my enemy, Sharon. Did you think I wouldn'

I made a mistake. A terrible mistake. But I never wanted to hur

our chance, Sharon. You threw it away

collapsed onto the couch, her s

ng, a suitcase by her side. The doorman avoided her gaze, and the s

uilding's private entrance, flanked by two security guar

began, her vo

r. "Don't. Whatever you have to

toward him. "I know I hurt you

Don't insult me, Sharon. You do

ob. You were never there. I made a mistake, but it d

eliness justifies betrayal? Do you have any

pulled away. "Jacob, I'm sorry.

h a mixture of anger and pain. Finally, he shook his he

lked away, leaving her standing alone

d replaying the confrontation. He felt no satisfaction in cutti

ing the door behind

p before replying. "

dded. "An

ed into a grim sm

"This just came in. Russell's been using offshore accounts

"Good. Start the process. I want every ally of

ou're ready for this? Taking Russell dow

rasing anything. It's about sending a messa

ument would be futile. He left the room

resolute. He had lost Sharon, but he wasn't about to lose his empire. And when the