Chapter 16

The air conditioning in the 23rd-floor conference room of Vertigon Tower was turned up high. Lucille sat on the leather couch, nervously twisting the hem of her skirt. The fabric still bore faint stains from when she'd knelt outside the Hawke Corporation tower the night before, pleading in the rain. Meanwhile, Andre sat beside her in a wrinkled suit with a crooked tie, showing none of his former dignity as chairman of the Watson Group. Before long, the door opened with a soft click. Alexander walked in with steady steps, followed by four lawyers in suits. He wore a charcoal gray suit today with a dark red tie that looked like dried blood. Lucille suddenly remembered Vanessa had chosen that tie for him. "Alexander." She stood up, her voice breaking into sobs. Yet, Alexander didn't even glance at her. He walked directly to the other end of the conference table and sat down. The lawyers immediately lined up behind him. He opened the files in front of him, his voice terrifying