Chapter 4 - The Crucible
For three weeks, Dominic’s estate became a war room.
Liana was transformed. Dominic brought in the finest tutors, financial advisors, and stylists. She learned to read complex legal ledgers, to understand the stock market, and to walk into a room with the terrifying authority of a CEO.
But the most intense lessons came from Dominic himself. Late at night, in his sprawling library, they strategized.
"Vivienne’s power lies in the Sterling Ledger," Dominic explained, pointing to a blueprint of the Sterling corporate tower on the table. "It’s a physical black book kept in her biometric vault. It contains every bribe, every illegal wire transfer, and the payout to the arsonist who killed your parents. If we get the ledger, we destroy her completely."
"She’ll never let it out of her sight," Liana said, leaning over the table.
"She won't have a choice," Dominic smirked. "Tomorrow night is the Founder's Gala at the Sterling Tower. The entire city's elite will be there. She has to attend to save face after the disaster at the basilica. While she's hosting, we rob the vault."
Liana looked at him, her heart racing. During these late nights, a quiet, magnetic tension had grown between them. Dominic never treated her like a pawn; he treated her like a queen.
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"We?" Liana asked softly.
"I don't let my partners go into the fire alone," Dominic murmured, his gaze dropping momentarily to her lips before he pulled away, all business again. "Get some sleep, Liana. Tomorrow, we steal an empire."
