Chapter 229
Chapter 229:
But it wasn’t her car. It wasn’t the Sterling limo. And Alistair wasn’t there to open the door.
It was a vintage Rolls-Royce Phantom—black, with the crest of a falcon on the door. The Vance family crest.
Liam froze. He watched as the heavy doors slammed shut. Through the tinted window, he saw a silhouette—a man, sitting in the shadows.
The car pulled away, merging into traffic, leaving Liam standing on the curb, gasping for air, realizing the board had not just been moved.
The entire game had changed.
Inside the Phantom, the silence was absolute. The leather seats smelled of old money and antiseptic.
Skye leaned back, closing her eyes. Her hands were shaking. She clasped them together to still the tremors.
She missed Alistair. He had stayed behind to coordinate with his team, ensuring the fallout from Victoria’s exposure didn’t blow back on his cover. It was a necessary separation, but it left her feeling exposed.
“Breathe,” a voice said from the shadows.
Skye opened her eyes.
Julian Vance sat on the other side of the expansive rear cabin. He was wrapped in a cashmere blanket, his face pale in the passing streetlights. He looked like a porcelain doll that had been broken and glued back together.
“You put on quite a show,” Julian said. His voice was raspy, weak.
“I did what I had to do,” Skye said. She watched him warily. “Why are you here, Julian? Why pick me up p>
“Because Liam is cornered,” Julian said. “And cornered animals bite. I couldn’t let him get to you tonight. And Alistair is currently tied up explaining to his superiors why their star undercover agent was plastered on a billboard p>
“I have security,” Skye said.
“You have employees,” Julian corrected. “Liam can buy employees. He can’t buy me p>
He coughed—a wet, rattling sound that made him wince. He pressed a handkerchief to his lips. When he pulled it away, Skye saw a speck of red.
“You’re sick,” Skye said. It wasn’t a question.
𝖸𝗈𝗎r 𝗱𝗂𝗴𝘪𝘵a𝗹 𝘭іb𝘳ar𝗒 𝗼𝗻 𝖻𝗲𝗹𝗻𝘰𝗏еl𝘴.со𝘮
“Dying,” Julian corrected again. He folded the handkerchief neatly. “But not dead yet p>
He reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out a thick envelope. He slid it across the leather seat toward her.
“What is this?” Skye asked.
“The leverage you need,” Julian said. “And the price of my help p>
Skye picked up the envelope. It was heavy.
“Open it p>
She broke the seal. Inside were photographs. Documents. Bank statements.
But not about Seraphina.
About Arthur.
She flipped through them. Her eyes widened.
“This is p>
“Forgery,” Julian said. “High-quality forgery. Liam has hired a specialist to create a paper trail linking your father to the offshore accounts used for the embezzlement. They plan to frame Arthur to get to you p>
Skye felt bile rise in her throat. “Liam… he’s targeting my father p>
“He knows Arthur is your weakness,” Julian said. “But that’s not the price. That’s the warning p>
“What’s the price?” Skye asked.
Julian leaned forward. His eyes—dark and intelligent—locked onto hers.