Chapter 45
Chapter 45:
“He paid cash,” Skye shrugged. “And he promised to handle any… legal disputes regarding the title. Personally p>
She looked at Arthur pointedly. “Would you like his number, Uncle? I’m sure he’d love to discuss your forged document p>
Arthur backed away, bumping into the doorframe. “No. No, that’s… that’s fine. We… we have to go p>
He grabbed Petunia’s arm and practically dragged her out of the library. They ran as if the hounds of hell were snapping at their heels.
Skye waited until the elevator doors closed. Then she collapsed into her chair, letting out a long, shaky breath.
She picked up her phone and dialed.
“They’re gone,” she said when Alistair answered.
“Did they buy it?” Alistair’s voice was rich with amusement.
“Hook, line, and sinker,” Skye said. “They think you own the land now. They’re too terrified to sue p>
“Good,” Alistair said. “Let them fear. It keeps them honest. Or at least, quiet p>
“I owe you one,” Skye said. “Using your name as a shield p>
“You can repay me with a drink,” Alistair interrupted. “Tonight. The Four Seasons. We need to discuss the construction contracts for the Eco-Park. If we’re going to build this empire, we need to move fast p>
“I’ll be there,” Skye said.
That evening, the Four Seasons lounge was bathed in warm, golden light. A jazz pianist played softly in the corner.
Skye sat across from Alistair. They had blueprints spread out on the table between them. To an outsider, it looked intimate—heads bent close together, fingers tracing lines on the paper, voices low.
“The residential towers go here,” Skye said, pointing. “Sustainable materials. Solar glass p>
Alistair watched her finger move. Then he looked up at her face. Her eyes were bright, alive with creation. She wasn’t the broken doll he had pulled out of the sewer. She was a visionary.
𝘙еa𝖽 о𝗻 аոу 𝖽𝘦𝘃i𝖼е о𝗻 𝖻𝖾.𝖼оm
“You’re brilliant,” he said. It wasn’t a compliment; it was a statement of fact.
Skye paused. She looked up. The intensity in his gaze made her breath hitch.
“I have good teachers,” she deflected, looking back at the map.
“So, The Oracle is finally stepping out of the shadows?” Alistair asked suddenly.
Skye froze. Her heart skipped a beat.
“What p>
“The shell company,” Alistair said, swirling his scotch. “Oracle Holdings. I see you’ve stopped hiding behind layers of encryption. It suits you p>
Skye forced a laugh. “It was never just a nickname to you, was it p>
“I knew the moment you predicted the copper shortage,” Alistair noted. “You don’t just guess, Skye. You know p>
He leaned closer. “I don’t care who you are, Skye. Or what you are. I just care that you’re on my side p>