Chapter 46 - Her Sun
Fingers trailing across the shelves, I turned sharply and took a sip of the wine in my hand. My eyes locked on the man slumped behind the executive desk, his tie loose, his throat working with each swallow.
I sighed and walked to him, setting the glass down on his polished desk.
"Monsieur," I said, leaning forward so my hands rested flat on the wood.
"Are you going to spill everything you know about DeLacroix Couture Luxury House?
Because I could swear to your soul—" my fingers slide against his jaw "—those funds you've been siphoning?
The press will love the story. If you keep your mouth shut, I'll make sure your reputation is ruined without a shred of redemption. "
He swallowed, straightening in his chair as if to make himself smaller. "I don't have anything to say. My conscience is clear."
I laughed, a short, incredulous sound that shook my shoulders. "You, Monsieur Bianchi, have a conscience?" I tilted my head. "No. That's not something you carry around."
I pivoted his chair with a toe and sat on the edge of the desk, my stilettos brushing his thigh.
I opened the portfolio and pulled out the files I've collected—bank transfers, shell companies, timestamps.
My foot slid and pressed hard against his groin. He gasped, heat flushing his face.
"You see this?
" I said, spreading the documents like a hand of cards.
"These are the amounts you laundered through DeLacroix," I clicked my tongue, "Impressive strategy—calculated, precise.
I admire how smart you are at making sure no one notices.
" I smirked and gave him a slow, deliberate wink.
His face went red as I drove my heel in. "What harm could there be in scaling it up?" I continued. "You've already secured tens of billions. Why not push it to hundreds?"
His throat bobbed. "That..." He swallowed hard; his voice cracked. "That would bankrupt the DeLacroix empire."
"Exactly." I snapped my fingers and pointed at him. "That's precisely the point, Monsieur. The bankruptcy of an empire."
"I can't do that!" he protested. "Ms. Aurora would be burdened with catastrophic debt."
I waved a hand dismissively, slid off the desk, and bent to grab his tie.
Pulling him close, I brushed my lips across his ear.
"Monsieur, didn't I tell you? Once the embezzled funds surface, Duvall Capital Group will be there to salvage DeLacroix.
You started this rot the moment you skimmed the first millions; you've already been eroding trust."
"Th-that was different. I needed the money then," he stammered.
I stood, my lips twitching as I checked my fingernails. "I know. I followed every move you made." I nodded in agreement and signaled to my men. They stepped forward and opened an attaché case, revealing forged documents and carefully prepared evidence.
"How about this," I said, gesturing to the case.
"Work with me. Help manipulate DeLacroix into bankruptcy, and I'll arrange an exit for your wife—new identity, clean slate.
You'll confess to the embezzlement, every cent, but I'll make sure your sentence is manageable.
You get out, your wife gets away, and the company gets reorganized under hands that can save it. Sounds like a deal?"
He stared at the spread of papers, the room narrowing to the metallic sheen of the case, my heel against his thigh, and the quiet promise in my voice.
My lips curved into a smirk. "Either you accept my proposal, or you rot in prison, Monsieur." I tapped the documents spread across his desk. "The moment the authorities find these, you're dead meat."
A flush of hesitation ran over his face; he swallowed until his Adam's apple bobbed. I pushed the portfolio closer. "Sign them, launder the amounts I specify, and we're done. I'll handle the fallout—and I'll make sure the DeLacroix empire doesn't burn."
"Why are you doing this?" he mumbled, eyes flicking between me and the papers.
I shrugged. "You'll know once you sign." I flipped the pen open and set it in his hand.
He stared at the pen, then at the signature lines. For a heartbeat, I thought he might refuse. Instead, he took the pen, hunched over the desk, and scrawled his name across each page.
I scoffed at his capitulation and folded my arms. "Ms. Aurora hasn't been in Monaco for a while," he whispered as he set the pen down and snapped the portfolio shut.
"I can do it. But —" He licked his lips and met my gaze.
"Make sure you keep your word. Don't let the company collapse. "
I snatched the portfolio and pen from his desk and handed them to one of my men.
He secured them in an attaché case. "You have one week, Monsieur," I said, producing a small recorder and waving it.
"If I don't see results in seven days, this recorder and these documents go straight to the authorities. "
His eyes widened, jaw dropping. "You!" he snapped, glaring at me.
"Do everything as agreed, and we're good." I started to turn away, but his voice stopped me.
"Why are you doing this to the DeLacroix?"
I glanced over my shoulder and let a small smirk curl. "Memory lapse, Monsieur? It's been years." I rubbed my brow and faced him again.
Confusion furrowed his face. I stepped closer until the space between us felt dangerous. "Aurora DeLacroix," I said, letting the name land. "I'm Sloane Duvall—Aurora's ex from twelve years ago. Ring a bell?"
His eyes went even wider; his hand shook as he pointed at me. "You—"
"I'm here for payback, Monsieur." My smile was soft and cold as I patted his cheek. "So do your job well, okay?"
He began to protest, but I pressed a finger to his lips. "Shh. It's too late for explanations—I don't want to hear them. Do what we agreed, and I'll arrange for your wife to escape the scandal. Got it?"
I studied him a heartbeat longer, then turned and left. My men followed. As the door closed behind us, I murmured under my breath, "Aurora DeLacroix. Time to break even on the mess you left behind more than a decade ago."
?·???°???°???·?
With one leg crossed over the other, I hummed a familiar tune and signed the stack of documents spread across my desk. My laptop displayed the stock broker page; numbers scrolled in neat, unforgiving columns as I checked the market.
I paused mid-sign when a soft knock came at the study door. I kept signing and didn't bother to look up.
A sigh made me stop. I raised a brow and finally glanced up to meet my younger brother's eyes. He plopped down in the chair opposite me and set a portfolio on the desk with a thud.
"What's this?" I asked, laying down my pen and reaching for the folder.
He crossed his arms and exhaled. "It's the embezzlement at DeLacroix," Soeren said, voice tight. "That man is something else—he's moved hundreds of billions out of the company."
A short laugh escaped me as I opened the portfolio and scanned the figures. Perfect. I leaned back in my chair, one hand on the mouse as I hovered over the broker window. The DeLacroix stock ticker had plunged deep into the red in a matter of hours.
"It's all over the news now," Soeren continued, looking uneasy. "Investors are pulling out in droves. Aren't you worried people will trace this back to you? That you manipulated the whole thing?"
I tilted my head and met his stare.
"Why would I be scared?" I clicked my tongue and leaned forward.
"I only baited Monsieur Bianchi into finishing what he'd started.
The transactions point to him—he's the obvious scapegoat.
If necessary, I can spin whatever explanation we need. "
A sharp exhale escaped me. "After all, Aurora should be thanking me—I found out first that Marcello Bianchi, the man their company trusted, is a traitor."
Soeren scoffed and nodded. "Uh-huh. And you already arranged legal clauses for a strategic partnership between Duvall Capital Group and DeLacroix Couture? That's bold, sis."
I smiled and winked. "That's the price she paid for playing with me back then. Once she's on the verge of falling, I'll cage her in. No way out. I'll corner her and make her play my game."
He tapped his fingers on my desk; I raised a brow at the sound. "Don't forget she's still—" He let the sentence die as he glanced toward the door. "You know what? Do what pleases you." He stood, clasping his hands.
"It's only a matter of time, Soeren," I said.
"A matter of time before she learns the truth—all the secrets I've been hiding.
Right now, I'll take control of what should have always been hers.
I'll own every ounce of her wealth so she can't walk away, no matter the cost."
Soeren groaned and waved a dismissive hand. "Fine. I'll keep you posted if they call for a company salvage. I'll present—"
"Actually," I cut in, lifting a hand, "even if the DeLacroix don't reach out, once the news explodes among Monaco's elite, send them an invitation—Duvall Capital Group is willing to help.
Tell them you'll represent us. But honestly? I want to be there myself. Alone."
My brother arched a brow and laughed low. "Can't wait to finally see your ex, sis?" he teased.
I rolled my eyes. "I couldn't wait to see how low she'd go if her empire came crashing down," I corrected.
Soeren leaned both hands on my desk and looked down at me. "What are you going to do with the billions you've gotten from the embezzlement anyway?"
I shrugged, lips twitching as I checked my laptop—watching how deep their stocks had plunged. "I'll give it back to the company. Every cent. It's hers, after all. I'm only using it to bring her back, then I'll play my card."
Soeren shook his head. "Sometimes I can't tell if you're evil or an angel. Either way, you're terrifying." He stood, waved a hand, and left.
After he went, I leaned back in my chair and eyed the framed photograph on my desk. My fingers hovered over it, then stalled. A faint smile escaped me; a deep sigh followed.
"How had you not noticed the sums siphoned from your company, Aurora?" I whispered to myself. "Did you neglect your duties as CEO? Didn't you see this coming?"
Then the familiar satisfaction settled in. This is my chance. I would make sure she was cornered with no exit. If she insisted on leaving, I would make her crawl—though born in money as she was, I doubted she'd like that idea.
A soft knock at the door made me freeze. I didn't bother to look; the door creaked open and closed without any further sound.
"Dione, sweetie," I called, pushing my chair away from the desk.
A soft snicker echoed from the hallway of my study. Peeking in, Dione waved at me before rushing forward and throwing her arms around my waist.
I groaned, laughing as I wrapped her in a hug.
"Mommy, I missed you," my daughter whispered, climbing into my lap.
I hummed and stroked her hair. "I missed you too, sweetheart," I murmured, resting my chin on her shoulder and holding her tight.
Dione slowly pulled back, smiling up at me. "Mommy, dinner's ready. Uncle told me to come fetch you," she said, standing and taking my hand.
A smile spread across my lips as I rose. "Okay, okay. Let's have dinner then."
She led the way, humming the same tune I'd been humming moments ago. I sighed softly and held her small hand as we walked out of my study.
"Mommy," she glanced up at me, eyes curious. "When will I be able to meet her?"
Her question made me freeze mid-step. I blinked down at her and, masking my surprise, gently poked her nose. "Soon, sweetie," I said. "Soon you'll meet her."
Dione and I were on our way to the dining room when we stopped. The television in the living room had switched to breaking news, the headline flashing across the screen.
I froze mid-step, my eyes locking onto the large display. Aurora's face filled the frame, poised and composed as she answered questions about the embezzlement.
"Mommy," Dione whispered. When I glanced at her, she was staring at the screen too. "It's her, right?"
A knot formed in my throat, stealing my breath. Twelve years... twelve long years. I'd planned everything down to the smallest detail, but now, standing here, something inside me tugged unexpectedly—hesitation or... regret?
"Mommy?" Dione's voice pulled me back when I didn't answer right away.
I cleared my throat and forced a faint smile. "Yes... yes, it's her," I said, my voice barely more than a whisper.
It's her—the woman who left me after she'd finished using me.