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Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: The Deal That Changed Everything

By the time the city lights glowed across the skyline, Isabella stood alone in her penthouse office, staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The USB drive Ethan had delivered lay beside her on the desk.

She plugged it in.

Encrypted files. Financial statements. Offshore accounts. Names she recognized. Names Charles never thought she'd see again.

He'd funneled money through shell corporations—some under her name.

Her eyes narrowed.

He wasn't just trying to ruin her. He was trying to bury her with his crimes.

A knock at the door.

"Come in," she said.

Samantha, her loyal assistant, entered. "Miss Quinn, the legal team reviewed the files. It's enough to indict three board members and freeze Charles's offshore assets."

Isabella turned, voice calm but resolute. "Good. Prepare the press release. Leak just enough to rattle the cage."

Samantha hesitated. "You sure you want to go public this fast?"

"Fear works best when they think it's only the beginning," Isabella replied, her lips curving into the faintest smile.

Suddenly, her phone lit up. A call from Charles.

She let it ring twice before answering.

His voice was strained. "Isabella, we need to talk."

"I don't talk to thieves," she said coolly.

"You think you can destroy me?"

"I'm not destroying you," she replied. "I'm simply letting the truth do what it does best—expose."

Click.

She hung up.

Behind her, Samantha whispered, "You're really going to war."

"No," Isabella said, her eyes blazing. "I've already won. I'm just letting them realize it slowly."

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