Chapter 537 Billionaire's Lies

• A single message blinked before fading into the shadows: “Time to play, soon-to-be Mrs. Thompson. Let’s see what you’ll sacrifice for love this time.” Clarisse stayed in Saben’s arms, her head against his chest, feeling nothing but peace while danger hummed inches away, wrapped in silence, waiting. The storm she swore she’d fight wasn’t coming anymore. It was already here sporting Eva Ross's flawless smile.Eva Ross didn't have faith in luck merely leverage. And today, she possessed both. On the top floor of Reese Global Headquarters, she towered over the mirrored windows, her image imposed upon the city skyline like a queen gazing over her warfront. The joint media venture had just been sanctioned her invention, her tool, her platform. Four names were tied together under her control: Saben Thompson. Clarisse Campbell. JM Reese. Jenny White. Eva's lips curled, slow and deadly. "Let's see how long their perfect masks hold up under duress," she whispered, twirling the glass of champagne although it was only 9 a.m. She still recalled the way JM's eyes had wavered just for a split second when he caught sight of Jenny at the gala. That little, treasonous spark was enough for her. Love made them weak. And weakness was her preferred poison to use. She addressed her assistant, voice as soft as silk and twice as lethal. "Send the official invitations for the media launch. I'd like all the outlets to be represented business, lifestyle, entertainment. The more the merrier." "As you wish, Ms. Ross. And the seating order? " Eva's smile grew harder. Oh, make it. poetic. Clarisse alongside Saben of course and opposite them, JM alongside Jenny White. I want tension to seep through the cameras." The assistant hurried away as Eva made her way to her desk, fingers tracing over a shiny black folder marked 'THOMPSON–REESE INITIATIVE'. Within was her magnum opus a merger created not for achievement, but for collapse. "They believe that this is all about branding," she whispered, snapping the file shut. "It's about power and who should get to hold onto it." Her phone vibrated. A message from one of her sources on the inside at Thompson Enterprises. Clarisse Campbell was in. Saben Thompson had cleared his calendar. Perfect. Eva's laugh echoed off the unused office cold, beautiful, intimidating. "Let the empire burn.".
• And let Jenny White see every second of it.
• The next day