Chapter 167
Chapter 167:
June looked up and offered a small, appreciative nod. “Abbie, thank you for stepping in. I know Chloe’s departure was abrupt given her family situation, and I appreciate how seamlessly you’ve handled the transition p>
Abbie smiled, adjusting her glasses, her face bright with excitement. “Dr. Erickson, this is incredible news.” Then she bit her lip, her expression shifting to something more cautious. “But the Love Group gala — Mr. Compton and Ms. Beasley will almost certainly be on the VIP guest list. It could be a very hostile environment p>
June sat down at her desk and opened a fresh data file. Her face was a mask of perfect calm.
“Abbie,” she said, without looking up from the screen, “when you are fighting a war, you don’t get to choose where the enemy stands. We are going p>
Abbie nodded, any lingering hesitation dissolved by the quiet, unbreakable certainty in June’s voice.
At that same moment, across the city, Cole sat at the head of the Compton Group’s massive boardroom. His head of venture capital was delivering a rapid-fire presentation on market movements.
D𝗂𝘀𝖼о𝗏er 𝘯𝖾𝘄 s𝗍о𝗿𝗂e𝗌 𝘰𝘯 g𝖺lո𝗈𝗏е𝗹ѕ.𝗰om
“Sir, we just received confirmation,” the executive said, advancing to the next slide. “The Love Group’s VC arm has officially led a major funding round for Apex Bio p>
Cole’s hand went completely still. The expensive pen between his fingers snapped under the pressure of his grip, sending a streak of ink across his hand.
Crawford Love. June’s company.
The two names colliding in his mind set off a violent, territorial explosion. Crawford was his oldest friend — and now he was pouring millions into June’s work?
Cole stood abruptly, his chair scraping hard against the floor. He ignored the startled looks from around the table.
“Did we receive the invitation to the Love Group gala?” he asked his assistant.
“Yes, sir,” the assistant answered quickly. “It was sent to you and Ms. Beasley p>
Cole’s jaw clenched so hard his teeth ground together. He had intended to skip the event entirely. But now a dark, consuming jealousy had taken hold of him. He needed to see exactly what Crawford and June were doing.
“Clear my schedule for that night,” Cole ordered, his voice low and dangerous.
Across town, Alycia was already staring at the same gold-embossed invitation in her bedroom.
She let out a delighted squeal. This was her moment. She was going to walk into the biggest event of the season as the pregnant, soon-to-be queen of the Compton empire.
She dialed Cole’s number immediately.
“Cole!” she chirped. “I just saw the invitation! What color tie are you wearing? I need to coordinate my dress p>
Cole stared at the ink staining his fingers. A wave of pure exhaustion moved through him.
“Have my stylist handle it,” he said flatly, and ended the call.
He didn’t give a single thought to what Alycia would wear. His mind was wholly occupied by one image — June, standing beside another man. The storm was gathering, and it would break at the gala.
The heavy glass doors of the ultra-exclusive Fifth Avenue couture boutique swung open.