Chapter 7 - The Discarded Mask
Victoria frantically yanked the flash drive from the port, but the damage was done. The screen went black.
The heavy oak doors of the study unlocked with a sharp click.
Sebastian stood in the doorway. He was still wearing his chef's whites, but his demeanor was entirely changed. The gentle, humble baker she thought she was manipulating was gone. In his place stood a man whose eyes held the cold, crushing weight of absolute power.
"Having computer trouble, darling?" Sebastian asked softly, stepping into the room.
Victoria recovered instantly, slipping her mask back into place. "Sebastian! What are you doing up here? You startled me. I was just looking for a pen."
Sebastian slowly walked to the desk, picking up the silver flash drive she had dropped. "A pen? Is that what Vanguard calls military-grade data extraction software these days?"
Victoria froze. The color drained from her flawless face. "I... I don't know what you're talking about."
"I know about Elias Vance," Sebastian said, his voice dropping to a lethal octave. "I know about the fake degree. I know you were sent here to gut this company while I was distracted by wedding cakes."
Victoria stared at him. The facade finally cracked. A cruel, vicious laugh escaped her lips. "So you figured it out, baker boy. What are you going to do? Tell your brother? Oliver is an idiot. By the time he figures out how to stop the transfer, Vanguard will own this building."
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She stepped closer to him, her eyes filled with arrogant pity. "You were just a pawn, Sebastian. A pathetic, flour-covered pawn. I want a king. Not a cook. We're done."
"You're right about one thing," Sebastian murmured, stepping aside to let her pass. "We are done."
