Chapter 32

Lucas Turner sat in his high-rise office, his fingers tightening around his pen as he stared at the latest report. His jaw clenched. Another deal had fallen through.

The boardroom was silent except for the sound of rustling papers and murmurs of unease. The senior executives of Turner Enterprises sat tensely around the long table, exchanging wary glances. No one dared to speak first.

Lucas exhaled sharply and slammed the report onto the table. "This is the third contract we've lost in two weeks," he said, his voice laced with frustration. "Can someone explain to me what the hell is going on?"

His vice president, a graying man named Jonathan Hayes, cleared his throat. "Sir, the investors are pulling out at the last minute. They aren't giving clear reasons. Just… concerns."

"Concerns?" Lucas narrowed his eyes. "What kind of concerns?"

Jonathan hesitated. "Rumors, sir. About… instability in the company."

Lucas's fingers curled into a fist. "That's ridiculous. Our financials are solid."

"Yes, sir. But someone is feeding the market doubts. Investors are being warned against working with us."

Lucas leaned back, his mind racing. This wasn't coincidence. This was deliberate sabotage.

And there was only one person he could think of who had the means and motive to do this.

Ariana.

One by One, the Deals are falling after Mr. Graham rejected to invest in golden luxe project.

The first deal to crumble had been with Horizon Tech, a rising software company. They had been eager to partner with Turner Enterprises, but at the last moment, their CEO had withdrawn from the negotiations.

Then came the Westwood Group. They had been in talks for months about a real estate project—one that was supposed to expand Turner Enterprises' reach in the luxury market. But suddenly, they had cut communication.

And now, the most devastating blow of all—Argento International. A powerful European conglomerate had been set to sign a multi-million-dollar merger with Turner Enterprises. Lucas had counted on this deal to boost his influence globally.

But just hours before the contract was finalized, their legal team sent a brief, polite email:

"After careful consideration, we have decided to pursue other opportunities. We wish Turner Enterprises continued success."

Lucas had immediately called their CEO, but the man had been distant, unwilling to provide a real answer.

Something—or someone—was scaring them away.

On other hand, Sophia Hayes adjusted her diamond bracelet, forcing a smile as she approached a group of women at a charity brunch. These were the same women she had always mingled with—the city's elite, the influencers, the wives of CEOs.

But the moment she neared them, the conversation quieted.

They glanced at her, exchanged looks, then subtly turned their backs.

Sophia's fingers tightened around her champagne glass.

This had been happening too often lately.

At first, she had ignored it. She had assumed it was nothing. But now, it was undeniable—she was being shut out.

The whispers followed her everywhere.

"Did you hear about Sophia? She used to be untouchable, but now? No one wants to be associated with her."

Sophia clenched her teeth. Ariana. This had to be her doing.

But how?

Across the city, Ethan Blackwood leaned back in his chair, watching his assistant place a thick folder in front of him.

"Everything's in motion," his assistant reported.

Ethan picked up the document, flipping through the pages. He smirked. Everything was unfolding perfectly.

Ariana had set the traps, but he had made sure they were reinforced.

She had started the war against Lucas, but Ethan? He was making sure Lucas never recovered.

For the Westwood Group, he had ensured that their financial analysts saw just enough risk in Turner Enterprises to make them hesitant.

For Horizon Tech, he had casually mentioned, in the right circles, that Lucas had a reputation for aggressive takeovers—enough to make them rethink their partnership.

And for Argento International? Well, Ethan had merely whispered a few well-placed words about a better investment opportunity—one that didn't involve Lucas.

Ariana was playing the game well, but Ethan had the power to make sure every piece moved in the direction he wanted.

Lucas Struggles to Regain Control

Lucas wasn't a fool.

He knew he was being attacked from all sides, but every time he tried to fight back, he found himself blocked at every turn.

He had tried to reassure investors with public statements—yet the media refused to cover them.

He had tried to counter the rumors by securing new partnerships—but suddenly, his competitors were offering better deals.

His own people were beginning to doubt him.

He saw it in the way his employees whispered when they thought he wasn't looking. The way his senior executives hesitated before giving him updates, afraid of his reaction.

And then there was Ethan Blackwood.

Lucas had seen the man at the last gala, watching Ariana with amusement, as if he knew something no one else did.

It made sense. Ethan had power. Ethan had influence.

And Lucas had a sinking feeling that Ethan had been pulling strings behind the scenes.

He needed to do something. Fast.

Meanwhile, Ariana Carter stood by her office window, looking out at the city skyline.

She had spent weeks orchestrating every step of this battle. She had anticipated Lucas's reactions, countered his every move, and now?

He was losing.

She wasn't naive anymore. She knew that men like Lucas didn't go down without a fight. But she also knew she wasn't alone in this.

She had allies.

Mia had been her emotional support, always reminding her why she was fighting in the first place.

Teddy had been her source of comfort, his presence grounding her whenever she felt overwhelmed.

And then there was Ethan.

She wasn't sure when she had first suspected his involvement, but now, she was almost certain. He wasn't openly helping her, but every time she set something in motion, it felt like an unseen force was making it even stronger.

It was dangerous.

Because Ethan Blackwood wasn't a man who did something for nothing.

And sooner or later, he would come to collect.

Lucas poured himself a glass of whiskey, his grip tight around the glass.

He had spent his life controlling everything around him. He didn't lose.

But right now?

Everything was slipping through his fingers.

Ariana had underestimated him before, but she wouldn't make that mistake again.

If she thought she had won—she was wrong.

Because Lucas Turner was about to remind everyone why he was not a man to be crossed.