Chapter 3 - Cracks in the Ice

The boardroom of AURAINE was a theater of war, and Damian Sterling was its most dangerous general. As the company’s largest minority shareholder, Damian had been trying to oust Veronica for three years. He was ruthless, endlessly wealthy, and possessed a terrifying intuition for weakness.

The morning after the meeting at Battersea, Veronica sat at the head of the long obsidian table, her face an unreadable mask of perfect makeup and practiced apathy. Inside, her stomach was a knot of jagged glass.

Maya.

Serena had a child. A child she had hidden. A child who somehow survived the fire and had spent the last twelve years plotting to dismantle the AURAINE empire.

"The Q3 projections in the Asian markets are stagnant, Veronica," Damian said, leaning forward, his tailored suit shifting flawlessly. "We are relying entirely on the legacy prestige of the Crimson Ruin line. We need a new flagship formula. Yet, R&D has produced nothing but derivative garbage for two years."

"AURAINE does not rush perfection, Damian," Veronica replied smoothly, projecting her voice to dominate the room. "We are not a fast-fashion cosmetic brand. We dictate the era."

"You dictate history, Veronica. I’m looking at the future," Damian sneered. "I’ve heard rumors. Whispers from the lower labs. They say the original formula wasn't even yours. They say it belonged to an independent chemist."

The room went dead silent. The board members shifted uncomfortably.

Veronica held Damian’s gaze, not blinking, not breathing. "If you are going to launch a coup, Damian, use facts. Not break-room gossip. My name is on the patent. My name built this empire. If you question my integrity again, I will bleed your shares dry and force a hostile buyback."

Damian smiled, a venomous, knowing smirk. "We'll see."

After the meeting, Elias pulled Veronica into the secure soundproof antechamber.

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"We ran the DNA from the coffee cup Maya left at the turbine hall against the medical files from the hospital where Serena died," Elias said grimly, handing her a tablet. "It’s a 99.9% match. She is Serena’s biological daughter. And she’s already been in contact with Damian Sterling."

Veronica closed her eyes. The walls were closing in. Maya wasn't just a ghost; she was a weapon. And Damian had just pulled the trigger.