Chapter 5 - The Proposition
The Maybach glided smoothly down the Eisenhower Expressway, cutting through the morning commuter traffic with the effortless arrogance of a vehicle that owned the road.
“Why am I here, Julian?” Clarissa asked, keeping her hands folded tightly in her lap. “If you wanted to lecture me on my social circle, you could have sent a text.”
“I don't lecture,” Julian said, turning slightly toward her. He reached out, his long, warm fingers gently catching a stray curl of her dark hair and tucking it behind her ear. His touch sent a shiver straight down her spine. “I make proposals.”
“I’m listening.”
“Your little friend Samantha Cole,” Julian said, his voice turning icy, “has a father who runs Cole International Logistics. They’ve been bidding on the city’s municipal port contracts for six months. They’re also bleeding money behind the scenes. Her father is leveraged to his eyeballs with high-interest private debt.”
Clarissa’s professional brain instantly kicked into gear. Her eyes widened. “Cole International? But they’re worth tens of millions—at least publicly.”
“Publicly,” Julian echoed with a dark, sardonic smile. “Publicly, they wear designer clothes and throw charity galas. Privately, they’re looking for a buyout. And Samantha has been hinting to her social circle that her family is about to acquire a major stake in the South Side shipping yards.”
“That’s impossible,” Clarissa said, running the numbers in her head. “Their debt-to-equity ratio wouldn't support an acquisition. Unless—”
“Unless they’re planning a hostile corporate takeover using hidden capital from an outside investor,” Julian finished for her. “Someone who wants a backdoor into the city’s trade infrastructure without drawing federal scrutiny.”
Clarissa stared at him, the pieces clicking together with terrifying clarity. “You’re targeting them.”
“They tried to play in waters they don't understand,” Julian said coldly. “And worse, they humiliated a woman who walked into my room with more courage than their entire bloodline combined.”
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“I don't need you to protect me,” Clarissa snapped, her pride flaring up hot and bright. “I can handle Samantha.”
“I know you can,” Julian agreed softly, his thumb tracing the line of her jawline now, tilting her face up so she had no choice but to look into his dark, bottomless eyes. “That’s why I’m not offering to protect you, Clarissa. I’m offering to give you the weapon.”
