CHAPTER TWELVE

No Mercy Twice

The boardroom of Melbourne Enterprises was steeped in an unnatural silence as Nicole Melbourne walked in.

There were no side conversations, no whispered exchanges. The executives—hardened veterans of corporate warfare—knew better than to test her patience today.

At the far end of the table sat Nicholas Bondi, the French investor who had joined Melbourne Enterprises a year ago. Beside him was Richard Calloway, a longtime executive and one of Edward Melbourne's trusted men.

Or so he had believed.

Nicole took her seat at the head of the table, crossing her legs with calculated ease. Emma stood near the door, her presence quiet but alert.

A neatly stacked file rested in front of Nicole, waiting.

She glanced around, noting the tension in the room. Then, in a voice like silk wrapped around steel, she spoke:

"Let's begin."

Betrayal Has a Price

Nicholas cleared his throat, his voice steady but cautious. "Miss Melbourne, before we proceed with today's agenda, there are concerns regarding—"

Nicole lifted a single hand. The room fell silent instantly.

"There's something more urgent to address," she said smoothly, turning her gaze toward Calloway.

The older man tensed, but his mask of calm didn't waver.

"Mr. Calloway," Nicole continued, her voice like a blade gliding through ice, "would you like to confess, or should I do the honors?"

A beat of silence.

"I don't know what you mean," Calloway said, though a slight twitch in his fingers betrayed him.

Nicole's lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk. "That's disappointing. I thought you'd at least try to defend yourself before I strip you of everything."

She reached for the file, flipping it open with deliberate precision.

"Let's be clear," she said. "For the past eight months, you've been secretly collaborating with Andrew Bond, feeding him insider information, and positioning him to influence our board's decisions."

Murmurs rippled through the room.

Calloway's jaw tightened.

Nicole continued, her voice calm but lethal. "You also arranged unauthorized fund transfers, redirecting company resources into Bond's shell corporations. A pathetic attempt at sabotage." She tilted her head slightly. "Did you think I wouldn't notice?"

Calloway's face turned red, then pale. "That's absurd. There's no proof—"

Nicole slid several documents across the table.

"Bank statements. Wire transfers. Emails." Her nails tapped the top page. "Shall I continue?"

Calloway swallowed hard.

Nicole leaned forward slightly. "I would have let you resign quietly, but betrayal has consequences."

Right on cue, the door opened, and two security officers stepped inside.

"Effective immediately," Nicole said, her tone final, "you are terminated."

Calloway shot to his feet. "You can't do this—"

Nicole's voice dropped to a deadly softness. "I already did."

The guards flanked him, gripping his arms as he struggled.

Nicole exhaled slowly, feigning disappointment. "And regarding the embezzlement charges? The authorities have been informed. You'll be answering for this in prison."

Calloway paled further. "You'll regret this—"

Nicole tilted her head, watching with detached amusement as he was dragged out, his curses fading into nothing.

Then, she turned back to the remaining executives, her expression unreadable.

"Now, let's talk about Andrew Bond."

A Warning Wrapped in FireThe tension in the room didn't ease. If anything, it thickened.

Nicholas hesitated. "Miss Melbourne, I—"

The door swung open again, but this time, it was Andrew Bond who walked in.

He was as composed as ever, dressed in his signature dark suit, his expression laced with amusement.

"Good morning, Nicole," Andrew said, settling into a chair with lazy confidence. "Since you're done firing your employees, I trust you're ready to discuss my proposal."

Nicole barely blinked. "I'm here to listen, Mr. Bond. But let me be clear—I don't compromise Melbourne Enterprises' values."

Andrew chuckled, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. "We'll see about that." He gestured toward Nicholas. "Explain the benefits."

Nicholas hesitated, then spoke. "Miss Melbourne, our proposal includes a significant investment into Melbourne Enterprises. In exchange, we request a seat on the board and a say in the company's direction."

Nicole's instincts screamed trap.

Her smile didn't falter, but the steel behind it sharpened.

"Impossible." Her voice was smooth, unwavering. "Anything else? Or are we done here?"

Andrew exhaled a soft chuckle. "Nicole, come on. Be reasonable. This deal benefits everyone."

Nicole's fingers tapped lightly against the table. "Let me be clear—I don't give control of my company to men who hide behind others."

A flicker of irritation passed through Andrew's face.

From across the room, Tyler Winslow sat silent, watching the exchange with quiet intensity.

Nicole's focus remained locked on Andrew. "Melbourne Enterprises is thriving. I don't need your investment, and I certainly don't need you."

Andrew's expression darkened. "Careful, Nicole. You wouldn't want to make an enemy out of me."

A slow smirk curled her lips.

"Andrew," she murmured, "you were never a threat. You were just a mistake I won't make again."

The words landed like a bullet.

For the first time, Andrew's confidence faltered—just slightly.

Nicholas stiffened. "Nicole, I'm sure we can negotiate—"

Nicole laughed softly. "Negotiate?" She shook her head. "After what he pulled?"

She tapped the armrest of her chair, watching Nicholas squirm.

"In response to Andrew Bond's little stunt," she said, "I've arranged for a 50% destruction of his company's liquid assets."

Gasps erupted. Even Nicholas looked visibly shaken.

Nicole smiled—a slow, dangerous curve. "Oh, don't look so surprised. Did he think I wouldn't retaliate?"

Andrew's jaw clenched.

Nicole stood, her voice dropping to a chilling softness.

"This was mercy. A one-time warning. If you cross me again, Andrew… I will erase you."

She turned to leave, but for a fraction of a second, a flicker of the past surfaced.

Once, Andrew Bond had been someone she trusted. Maybe even cared for.

Now, he was just another name on her list of enemies.

Nicole straightened, smoothing the nonexistent wrinkles on her suit.

"Meeting adjourned."

And with that, she walked out, unshaken, undefeated, untouchable.