Chapter 2: The Cracks Begin
Chapter 2: The Cracks Begin
Three days later, Elise received a call from an old friend.
"Have you seen the news?"
"No."
"You should."
A financial article filled her screen.
Sterling Luxury Holdings.
Stock down twelve percent.
Questions regarding liquidity.
Unexpected debt exposure.
Elise leaned back slowly.
She knew exactly why.
For years, Nathan had quietly relied on her private investment network.
Investors trusted him because they trusted her.
Now her name was gone.
The confidence disappeared with it.
By afternoon, more reports appeared.
Vendors were demanding payments.
Credit lines were being reviewed.
A planned acquisition had stalled.
Nathan called from an unknown number.
Against her better judgment, she answered.
"What?"
His breathing sounded strained.
"You knew this would happen."
"No."
"Don't lie to me."
Elise stared out at the city skyline.
"You spent years telling everyone you built everything yourself."
A long silence.
"Fix this."
The entitlement in his voice was breathtaking.
"Fix it?"
"You have connections."
Elise laughed.
A genuine laugh.
The first in years.
"You divorced your wife, Nathan. Not your consequences."
He hung up.
That evening another article appeared.
This one was worse.
A whistleblower had reported questionable expense transfers involving Sterling Holdings.
Millions.
The investigation had officially begun.
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For the first time, the empire looked fragile.
And everyone could see the cracks.
