28. Margot
28
MARGOT
I f someone had told me a week ago that my biggest battles would be fighting off a hostile corporate takeoverandadvising a socially inept billionaire on his love life, I would have laughed in their face. Yet here I am, simultaneously planning a strategic takedown and giving fashion advice to Tessa so she doesn’t accidentally scare Elliot into another existential spiral. Priorities.
I exhale, shaking my head as I slip my phone into my pocket. Grayson watches me with amusement, arms crossed as he leans against the kitchen counter. "You’re really taking this whole matchmaking thing to another level, Evans."
I glare at him. "If I have to suffer, so do you."
He chuckles, but before he can respond, his phone vibrates. He glances at the screen, and just like that, his entire demeanor shifts. The easy amusement in his eyes hardens into something sharper, more dangerous.
I step closer. "What is it?"
He turns the screen toward me. A message from his contact: Gerald Wright just moved $2 million into an offshore account. Looks like he’s cashing out early.
My stomach tightens. "So they’re already securing their exit."
Grayson nods. "And that means they’re getting ready to make their final move. We’re running out of time."
My pulse kicks up, but I force myself to stay calm. This isn’t panic mode. This isgame mode. "Then we hit them first. We need to prove the board’s corruption before they have a chance to solidify power."
Grayson’s expression hardens, his grip tightening around his phone, his mind already working. "I’ll call my contact and see what else we can dig up. If Wright is moving money, that means the others are, too."
I nod, already reaching for my laptop. "And I’ll start cross-referencing recent business transactions. If they’re consolidating shares or shifting assets, there’s a paper trail. We just have to find it."
Before either of us can act, my phone vibrates again. I sigh, thinking it’s Olivia with another Elliot-related crisis, but when I glance at the screen, my blood runs cold.
Unknown Number: You’re not as untouchable as you think.
I stare at the message, my fingers tightening around the phone. Grayson notices immediately.
"Margot?"
I swallow hard, showing him the screen. His expression darkens instantly. "That’s it. We’re ending this. Now."
Grayson grabs his phone, his fingers moving rapidly over the screen. "I’m pulling in every favor I have. We need real evidence, and we need ittonight."
I nod, already typing out a message to Olivia. "I’ll have Olivia reach out to our PR contacts. If we’re going public with this, we need the right people ready to push the narrative."
His jaw tightens. "And I’ll get my contact digging into Gerald’s offshore accounts. If we can prove he’s moving money illegally, it’s game over."
I inhale deeply, steadying myself. "And what about the threats? What if Liam, or whoever this is, isn’t bluffing?"
Grayson’s eyes darken with something lethal. "Then they’ll find out just how bad of an idea it was to come after you." He steps away, dialing a number. "I need a full trace on that offshore account. Now. And check for any sudden asset movements from the other board members. If Wright is making moves, the others won’t be far behind."
I take a breath, pushing down the gnawing unease settling in my chest. "I’ll dig into internal memos and financial reports. If they’ve been covering their tracks, there has to be a pattern."
Grayson hangs up and looks at me, determination etched across his face. "We also need to prepare for their retaliation. They won’t go down without a fight."
I smirk, though the weight of the situation still lingers. "Good. I was starting to get bored."
Grayson gives me a look, his blue eyes narrowing. "Then let’s make this interesting. We need to divide and conquer. I’ll handle the financial side, Wright’s offshore accounts, shell companies, and any assets moving under the radar. I have someone inside who can get me access to restricted records."
I nod, tapping my fingers against the counter. "And I’ll focus on internal communications. If they’re planning to consolidate power before the vote, they’re talking to someone. Board members don’t move without whispering to their allies first. I’ll find out who’s in bed with who."
Grayson smirks. "Figuratively or literally?"
I roll my eyes. "Hopefully just figuratively, but at this point, I wouldn’t put anything past these people."
He nods, the amusement fading back into sharp focus. "And security? You’re not staying alone until we figure out who sent that message. You come with me."
I open my mouth to argue, but he holds up a hand. "Not a debate, Evans. If someone’s threatening you, we’re not giving them an easy target."
I sigh, but I don’t fight it. Because deep down, I know he’s right. "Fine. But if we’re doing this, we’re doing it smart. No reactionary moves. We hit them when they least expect it."
Grayson’s smirk returns, this time darker, more confident. "Oh, don’t worry, Evans. When we strike, they’ll never see it coming." He pulls out his phone again. "First, we need to track Wright’s movements. If he’s cashing out, he’s meeting someone to finalize it. I’ll have my contact follow him and see who he’s dealing with."
I nod. "I’ll start pulling up corporate filings and interdepartmental emails. If they’re shifting shares or securing hidden deals, there has to be documentation somewhere."
Grayson leans against the counter, deep in thought. "And we need a way to turn the tide against them publicly. If we can’t win in the boardroom, we win in the court of public opinion."
I smirk. "That’s where Olivia comes in. She’ll make sure the press knows exactly what’s happening, and if we can get enough pressure, the board might start cracking before they can even hold a vote."
He glances at me. "So we attack from three angles: financial, internal, and PR."
I grin. "Exactly. If they want a war, we give them one."
Before Grayson can respond, his phone vibrates again. He checks the screen, and the slight shift in his expression makes my stomach twist.
"What?" I ask, bracing myself.
He turns the phone toward me. Another message from his contact. Gerald Wright just booked a one-way flight out of the country. Departure in six hours.
I feel my pulse spike. "He’s running. He knows we’re onto him."
Grayson’s jaw tightens. "Not if we get to him first."
I swallow hard, adrenaline kicking in. "Then we better move fast."