Chapter 688
Chapter 688:
“Well, well,” a shrill voice cut through the air.
Skye turned. A woman in a fur coat that cost more than a house marched down the hall, flanked by two lawyers. Eleanor Vance. Julian’s stepmother. The woman who had been trying to get her claws into Vance Media for a decade.
“Alfred,” Eleanor snapped. “Give me the keys to the office. And the power of attorney papers. Julian is clearly incapacitated p>
“Madam,” Alfred stammered, “Mr. Julian gave strict instructions p>
“He’s in a coma!” Eleanor shrieked. “I am the next of kin! The company needs leadership, not a corpse p>
Skye stepped in front of Alfred. She crossed her arms.
“He’s not dead yet, Eleanor,” Skye said coldly.
Eleanor looked Skye up and down. “Skye Sterling. This is family business. Run along and play with your little tech company p>
“Actually,” Skye said, lying smoothly, “Oracle Holdings has a binding partnership agreement with Vance Media. In the event of Julian’s incapacity, operational control defaults to a joint trust. Managed by me p>
Eleanor blinked. “That’s a lie p>
“Is it?” Liam stepped up beside Skye, looming over the lawyers. “Do you want to test it in court? While the stock price tanks? I’ll pull every Kensington Global ad dollar from your networks by morning p>
Eleanor paled. A war with Oracle and Kensington simultaneously? She would be crushed.
“Fine,” Eleanor hissed. “But when he dies—and he will die—I’ll be waiting p>
She spun on her heel and marched away, her lawyers trailing like obedient dogs.
Alfred let out a shuddering breath. “Thank you. There is no agreement, is there p>
“Not yet,” Skye said. “But there will be when he wakes up p>
She walked into the room. She sat by Julian’s bed and took his cold hand.
𝖨𝗳 𝘆оu 𝘀eе th𝗶𝘀 𝘯o𝘷e𝗹 o𝗇 a𝗻у 𝗌і𝘁e 𝘰t𝗵е𝗿 𝘵𝗵а𝗻 𝘣𝗲.𝗰𝘰m 𝗶t 𝗂𝘴 𝖺 с𝘰𝘱у
“Wake up, Julian,” she whispered. “The wolves are at the door, and I can’t fight them all alone p>
Julian’s eyelids fluttered. A finger twitched against hers.
“Skye?” a raspy whisper.
Skye smiled, tears filling her eyes. “I’m here p>
Liam watched from the doorway. His phone buzzed. It was Parker via the app.
Parker [Lobby Chat]: Victoria is packing a bag. She says she’s going to Haven City. Something about a spa retreat. Should I stop her?
Skye looked up. “Haven City? That’s where Julian has his private estate p>
A plan formed in her mind. Victoria needed a place to hide, somewhere far from Dominic’s reach and the press. Julian needed someone he could trust—or at least someone who hated Eleanor as much as he did—to keep an eye on his recovery once he was moved.
“Let her go,” Skye said. “Actually, encourage her. Tell her Julian’s estate has the best security in the state. She needs a safe house, Liam. And Julian… he’s going to need a witness when he wakes up. Someone Eleanor can’t bully p>
“You want to send Victoria to Julian?” Liam asked, incredulous. “They’ll kill each other p>