Chapter 1 - The Turning Point
Julian reached us, kissed my temple, and smiled.
“There you are.”
Marcus’s champagne glass slipped slightly between his trembling fingers.
“Evelyn,” he whispered.
“You’re married to Julian Rhodes?”
I held Emma against my hip and looked into the eyes of the man who once told me I would be absolutely nothing without him.
“Yes.”
And for the first time that entire night, Marcus stopped smiling.
The blood completely drained from his arrogant face.
Chloe stared at Julian with her mouth hanging wide open.
Julian gently smoothed a stray dark curl away from Emma’s forehead.
He looked at Marcus with the calm, terrifying authority of a man who practically owned the entire Boston financial district.
“I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced.”
Julian extended his free hand.
“Julian Rhodes.”
Marcus hastily wiped his sweaty palm on his tailored trousers before awkwardly shaking Julian’s hand.
“Marcus Mercer.”
“Ah,” Julian said lightly.
“The CEO of Mercer Innovations.”
Chloe stepped forward, desperately trying to salvage the tense situation with her practiced charm.
“We are so incredibly honored to finally meet you in person, Julian.”
Julian did not even glance in her direction.
His cold, calculating eyes remained entirely fixed on Marcus.
“My acquisition team has been aggressively reviewing your company’s portfolio for the upcoming buyout.”
Marcus puffed out his chest, frantically trying to regain a fraction of his lost pride.
“It is a highly profitable venture with endless market potential, Julian.”
“I look forward to finalizing the acquisition paperwork with you personally in the boardroom on Monday.”
Julian laughed, a sharp sound that effortlessly cut through the soft music of the wedding reception.
“You won’t be dealing with me, Marcus.”
Marcus frowned in deep confusion.
“But I was specifically told the head of Rhodes Capital compliance would be handling the final financial approval.”
Julian placed his warm hand affectionately on my lower back and pulled me slightly closer to him.
“That is absolutely correct.”
“Evelyn is our lead compliance officer and the senior vice president of acquisitions.”
Marcus literally choked on his own breath.
Chloe grabbed Marcus’s arm as her knees practically gave out beneath her.
May you like
Julian smiled like a predator cornering its terrified prey.
“She holds the absolute power to approve your multimillion-dollar buyout or completely destroy your company on Monday morning.”
