Alessia stood at the head of the executive boardroom, her presence commanding as she faced her team. The air was thick with anticipation.
"We strike now," she said, voice crisp and sharp. "We've played it safe long enough."
Margaret nodded. "We've secured enough votes from independent shareholders. If we push through the final acquisition bid—"
"Sinclair Industries falls," Alessia finished.
A murmur spread through the room.
"Adrian won't let that happen without a fight," Henry Caldwell cautioned.
Alessia's expression remained unreadable. "Then let's give him one."
She turned to her assistant. "Schedule a press conference. I want the world to know what's coming.
Back at Adrian's office.
He leaned back in his chair, watching the market ticker roll across the screen.
Laurent Holdings was on the attack.
His empire was under siege.
Claire, his assistant, stood nearby. "The board is pressuring you to respond."
Adrian exhaled slowly.
He had built this company with his own hands. He wasn't about to watch Alessia rip it apart.
His phone buzzed. A message from his legal counsel.
They're making their final move. You need to act now.
Adrian's jaw clenched.
Then he stood. "Call a meeting."
If Alessia wanted a war, she was going to get one.
By noon, the financial world was on fire.
Alessia's press conference made front-page news.
"Laurent Holdings Moves for Hostile Takeover of Sinclair Industries."
The media devoured it.
Alessia faced the flashing cameras, her every movement deliberate.
"This is not just a business move," she told the press. "It's a statement. The industry is evolving, and Sinclair Industries has refused to adapt. That ends now."
Reporters fired questions.
"Ms. Laurent, is this personal?"
Alessia met the journalist's gaze, her expression cool.
"This is business."
But everyone knew the truth.
Meanwhile, Adrian had his own response.
Within hours, Sinclair Industries filed a lawsuit, blocking Laurent Holdings from proceeding.
The market erupted.
Investors panicked. Stock values fluctuated.
And Alessia smiled.
Because she had expected this.
She was already three steps ahead.
The Unexpected Twist
That night, Alessia walked into her penthouse, exhaustion clawing at the edges of her mind.
But she wasn't alone.
A figure stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Adrian.
Her pulse spiked.
"How did you get in?" she asked, voice steady.
He turned, a smirk playing on his lips. "I still own part of this building. Did you forget?"
Alessia's fingers curled into fists.
He was taunting her.
"What do you want, Adrian?"
He stepped forward. Too close.
"To remind you that I'm not the man you can destroy so easily."
She didn't move. Didn't flinch.
"Watch me," she whispered.
Their eyes locked—fire meeting fire.
The war had just begun.
Alessia held her ground, refusing to be the first to break eye contact. Adrian was testing her, the same way he always did when they were married.
She wasn't that woman anymore.
She crossed her arms. "Get out, Adrian."
He tilted his head, amused. "And if I don't?"
Alessia stepped forward, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "Then I'll call security."
Adrian's smirk faded. "You think this takeover is a game?"
She let out a cold laugh. "Oh, Adrian. This isn't a game. This is survival."
He exhaled, frustration simmering beneath his composed exterior. "You're risking everything just to take me down."
Alessia's expression didn't waver. "No, I'm taking back what's mine."
Adrian studied her for a long moment. Then he shook his head, as if seeing her for the first time.
"You really won't stop, will you?" he murmured.
She smiled, but there was no warmth. "You already know the answer to that."
Without another word, Adrian turned and walked out.
Alessia didn't let out the breath she was holding until the door clicked shut behind him.
By morning, Alessia was back in her office, overlooking the city skyline.
Margaret entered, tablet in hand. "The legal battle is slowing things down, but we still have an opening."
Alessia glanced at the reports. Sinclair Industries' stocks were dipping.
"Perfect," she said. "It's time to cut off their supply chain."
Margaret's eyebrows lifted. "That's aggressive."
Alessia met her gaze. "That's necessary."
Margaret hesitated, then nodded.
Within hours, Laurent Holdings pulled a power move—they bought out two of Sinclair's biggest suppliers.
The impact was instant.
Adrian's company was bleeding money.
And Alessia?
She was just getting started.
***
At Sinclair Industries, Adrian slammed a file onto his desk.
"They cut us off." His voice was dangerously low.
His CFO swallowed. "We're already seeing production delays. If we don't—"
"Find me another supplier," Adrian ordered.
His team scrambled.
But the damage was already done.
Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose.
Alessia was brilliant, he'd give her that.
But if she thought he was going to roll over—
She was dead wrong.
That evening, Alessia arrived at an exclusive black-tie gala, hosted by one of Manhattan's most influential investors.
This wasn't just a social event.
It was a battleground.
She knew Adrian would be there.
And when she stepped inside, he was the first person she saw.
He was already watching her, glass in hand, eyes unreadable.
She lifted her chin. Let him watch.
Margaret whispered, "Our key investors are in the lounge. We need their full support."
Alessia nodded. "Let's secure them."
As she moved, Adrian suddenly appeared in her path.
"Alessia," he said smoothly.
She refused to let her composure slip. "Adrian."
He leaned in slightly. "Impressive move today. But I hope you realize—you've just declared war."
She smiled. "Oh, Adrian. I declared war the moment you walked away from our marriage."
His jaw tightened.
Before he could reply, Alessia turned and walked away, leaving him standing there.
Because tonight?
She was going to win.