Chapter 5 - The Ultimatum
"Marcus," Alessandro said, his voice dropping into a register so cold it made the temperature in the room seem to plunge ten degrees. "Step away from the child."
Marcus chuckled, folding his arms across his expensive Italian wool vest. "Relax, nephew. I'm just admiring your new... operational asset. Though I have to wonder what the investors would say if they found out the great Alessandro Duca is harboring a penniless maid and her bastard child in his penthouse."
Before Alessandro could move, I rushed past him, dropping to my knees on the Persian rug and scooping Mia into my arms, pressing her tightly against my chest. My hands trembled, but I forced myself to look Marcus Vance straight in the eye.
"You can insult me all you want," I said, my voice steadying despite the terror gripping my chest. "You can fire me. You can call the press. But leave my daughter out of your corporate games."
Marcus raised an eyebrow, amused by my defiance. "Spunky. I like that. Unfortunately, sentimentality has no place in high finance. Alessandro, here is my proposal: you cede primary voting rights on the Singapore expansion package by noon today, and I conveniently forget I ever saw a baby crawling around your boardroom. Refuse, and I ensure this little interloper and her mother are thrown out onto the street before sunset."
The blackmail was clean, brutal, and entirely calculated.
I looked up at Alessandro, my heart breaking. Because of us—because of my desperation and my secret—I had handed Alessandro’s ruthless uncle a weapon to destroy his empire. I had ruined everything.
"I'll pack our things now, Mr. Duca," I whispered, tears spilling over my lashes as I clutched Mia tighter. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for everything."
I turned toward the service hallway, ready to run.
"Stop."
Alessandro’s voice echoed through the foyer, arresting my steps.
I looked back. Alessandro hadn't flinched. He hadn't panicked. Instead, he slowly walked over to his mahogany desk, picked up his landline phone, and pressed the intercom button.
"Vance," Alessandro said, addressing his head of security over the speaker.
"Yes, Mr. Duca?" the gruff voice replied instantly.
"Escort Mr. Vance Sr. off the premises. Permanently revoke his building access codes, freeze his corporate portfolio linkage, and ensure he is never permitted within five hundred yards of this tower again."
Marcus’s smirk vanished instantly, replaced by a flash of genuine alarm. "Are you out of your mind? You can't bar a board member from the headquarters without a formal vote!"
"I am the majority shareholder, Marcus," Alessandro said, walking slowly toward his uncle until he towered over him, his blue eyes flashing with cold, lethal authority. "And as of this morning, you are no longer part of this company. Security is already waiting at the elevators."
Two massive security guards, led by Vance, materialized from the service foyer, flanking Marcus on either side.
May you like
"You'll regret this!" Marcus snarled, his face turning red with rage as the guards firmly gripped his arms and steered him toward the private elevator. "You're destroying everything for a maid's bastard!"
The elevator doors slid shut, cutting off his voice, and the penthouse fell into a heavy, profound silence.
