The Chessboard Shift

The Sinclair Office, Manhattan

Evangeline barely had time to savor her victory before her office door burst open.

"Please tell me you saw this," Nate Parker demanded, striding inside and tossing a printed news article onto her desk.

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I've seen a lot today. Be specific."

"Killian's counter." Nate leaned forward, tapping the headline.

THORNE INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIPS—IS THIS A DEATH BLOW TO SINCLAIR'S COMEBACK?

Evangeline's stomach knotted. Damn him.

He had cut off her supply chain.

"How bad is it?" she asked, keeping her tone even.

"Bad," Nate admitted. "He locked down all our high-end fabric suppliers overnight. Everyone's either 'suddenly unavailable' or signing with Thorne exclusively."

Evangeline exhaled slowly, forcing herself to think instead of react. This was classic Killian—always three steps ahead.

"We'll go around him," she said finally. "Find alternatives."

"We're already looking," Nate said, rubbing his jaw. "But it'll take time."

Time they didn't have.

A knock sounded at the door, and Lena Moreau, her head of PR, swept in, her sharp eyes assessing the situation instantly.

"I take it you've seen the damage?" Lena asked dryly.

Nate gestured to the article. "We're brainstorming how to hit back."

Lena crossed her arms. "Well, you'd better brainstorm fast, because the press is eating this up. Killian's making you look desperate."

Evangeline's jaw clenched. "We're not desperate."

Lena raised a brow. "Then prove it. Fast."

A silence stretched between them before Nate suddenly snapped his fingers. "What about Luca Ferrara?"

Evangeline blinked. "The Italian billionaire?"

"He owns textile factories in Milan. He's not tied to Killian."

Lena's eyes narrowed. "You think he'd help?"

Nate smirked. "He's got a reputation for loving bold women. And Evangeline? You're about as bold as they come."

Evangeline's lips curled into a slow smile. "Then let's make a call."