Chapter 8: Silent Moves

Chris leaned back in his seat, watching as Ethan flipped through a tablet screen. The Bentley cruised through the city, the dark-tinted windows shielding him from the outside world.

"Jaxon Carter," Ethan began, "son of Richard Carter. Their real estate business looks solid on the surface, but…" He smirked. "You'll like this."

Chris arched a brow, waiting.

"They've been faking their valuation for years. Inflated assets, hidden debt. If someone—say, an anonymous investor—were to pull the right strings, the entire company could collapse in weeks."

Chris exhaled slowly. Too easy.

"Leak it," he said simply.

Ethan nodded. "Any specifics?"

Chris thought for a second. Then a smirk ghosted his lips.

"Not all at once. A slow burn. Let the media find cracks before the investors do."

Ethan grinned. "Got it."

Chris stared out the window as Ethan made a call, setting things in motion. He had learned from the best—his father, ruthless in business, a shark that smelled blood miles away.

Except this wasn't about business. This was personal.

---

TWO WEEKS LATER

The whispers started small.

Headlines questioning Carter Enterprises' financial stability. Reports of suspicious investments. Investors demanding transparency.

Chris watched it all unfold from the sidelines, silent, unseen.

At university, Jaxon wasn't smirking anymore. His usual arrogance was replaced with tension. The guy barely spoke, always on his phone, eyes darting around as if the world was closing in.

Chris sat across the room, flipping through his notebook, pretending not to notice.

But Skylar did.

"You notice how weird Jaxon's been?" she murmured, leaning toward Chris during class.

Chris shrugged. "Maybe karma caught up to him."

Skylar smirked. "If that's true, then I hope it catches up faster."

Chris chuckled, amused. If only she knew.

---

THE FINAL BLOW

By the end of the month, it was over.

Jaxon walked into class looking like a ghost. His usual expensive clothes couldn't hide the fact that his world had collapsed.

News had just broken—Carter Enterprises had been exposed for financial fraud. Stocks crashed. Investors pulled out. Jaxon's father was under investigation.

Chris didn't look at him. Didn't acknowledge him.

But he felt Jaxon's eyes on him. As if he knew, deep down, that someone had done this to him.

Chris smiled to himself.

No one messes with what's his.

And right now, whether she knew it or not—Skylar was his.