Chapter 1: By Sunrise, the Empire Began to Fall
Chapter 1: By Sunrise, the Empire Began to Fall
At exactly 6:00 a.m., Damian Cross walked into the executive boardroom expecting another routine quarterly meeting.
Instead, every screen in the room displayed the same message.
ACCESS SUSPENDED.
His chief financial officer stood beside the conference table, pale as paper.
"Damian..."
"Our operating accounts have been frozen."
"What?"
"The holding company revoked every financial authorization overnight."
Damian laughed.
"Call the holding company."
"We already did."
"They're refusing to speak with anyone except..."
The CFO swallowed.
"...Ms. Isabella Montrose."
The room fell silent.
Damian frowned.
"What does my wife have to do with Montrose Global?"
No one answered.
At that moment, the boardroom doors opened.
A team of attorneys entered.
Behind them...
Walked Isabella.
She wore a navy business suit instead of last night's evening gown.
The faint mark on her cheek remained visible.
No makeup attempted to hide it.
She calmly placed one leather folder on the table.
"Good morning."
No one moved.
One director whispered,
"That's..."
"The Montrose heiress."
Damian stared at her as though seeing a stranger.
"You..."
She nodded.
May you like
"I never lied."
"You simply never asked."
