Queen’s Gambit

Arabella hadn't slept.

Again.

She lay in Lucien's penthouse guest suite, eyes locked on the city skyline outside the window. But she wasn't thinking about Lucien, or even Sebastian.

She was thinking about Juliette.

And the look on Sebastian's face when he told her he had once meant to come back.

It was like being handed a match, then told to stand in a room full of dynamite.

He never stopped loving me.

It should have changed everything.

But it didn't.

It only made her angrier.

Because it meant he chose to hurt her anyway.

She turned her head and looked at the folder again. The documents. The forged contracts. The proof of Juliette's fraud.

Her mind was made up.

She was done being nice.

Three Days Later – Crane Industries HQ

The elevator doors opened, and everyone turned.

Gasps echoed through the floor.

Arabella Crane walked in, tailored navy suit, heels that echoed power with every step, hair pulled back in a flawless twist. She held a sleek brown leather briefcase in one hand.

And a fire in her eyes that made grown men move out of her way.

"Arabella?" one of the execs blurted.

"I have a 9 AM meeting," she said. "Did no one inform you?"

The man blinked. "With… who?"

She turned and smiled coldly.

"Everyone."

Conference Room – Minutes Later

Sebastian sat at the head of the table.

Juliette perched beside him, smug as ever, tapping her flawless nails on the oak table.

The board members looked tense. Confused.

Then Arabella strode in.

"Arabella," Sebastian said, standing. "What is this?"

"A presentation," she said, slapping the folder onto the table.

Juliette's smile flickered.

Arabella opened the file.

"Before you finalize the merger," she began, "you may want to know that your soon-to-be co-chair has falsified at least six documents in the past year. Including forged signatures, misrepresented funds, and surprise!...a faked pregnancy."

Dead silence.

Juliette's face turned white.

Sebastian looked from Arabella to Juliette. "What is she talking about?"

Arabella slid the documents down the table one by one.

"Don't worry," she said coolly, "I didn't bring the press… yet."

One board member gasped. "Juliette, is this true?"

Juliette stood, furious. "This is slander!"

Arabella reached into her briefcase and tossed a voice recorder onto the table.

"I knew she was too weak to fight me. That's what made it fun," Juliette's voice crackled from the device. "Sebastian thinks he's saving me? Please. He's just a fool with a billion-dollar bank account."

Juliette lunged for it.

Too late.

Everyone heard it.

Sebastian's face turned to stone.

Arabella stood taller. "I suggest you all reconsider the merger."

Then, cool as ice, she turned to leave.

Hallway – Minutes Later

Sebastian caught up to her.

"Arabella," he said, breathless. "Where did you get that recording?"

She didn't stop walking.

"Does it matter?"

"I deserve to know."

She spun around, fierce. "You deserve nothing."

He flinched.

"You made your bed with a liar, Sebastian," she whispered. "Now sleep in it."

"But I..."

"You chose her. You believed her. And you made the world believe I was disposable."

He stepped closer. "I never stopped loving you."

She gave a tight smile. "Too bad. You should've stopped sooner."

And walked away again.

Wolfe Enterprises – That Night

Lucien poured champagne.

"You played them like a grandmaster," he said. "I'm impressed."

Arabella didn't smile.

She sipped once, then set the glass down.

"Now what?" she asked.

Lucien leaned in.

"Now," he said, "we take the next piece."

She frowned. "Which piece?"

Lucien's eyes glinted. "The company."

Arabella blinked. "You want to steal Crane Industries?"

"Not steal," Lucien said, stepping closer. "Acquire. Quietly. Legally. Brilliantly."

Arabella's pulse raced. "And you want me to help?"

Lucien's voice dropped. "You're the only one who can. You're the last person Sebastian would ever expect."

She looked at him.

At the man who handed her power, taught her how to wield it, and now… wanted her to finish the war.

Arabella thought of Sebastian's broken face in that boardroom.

And her answer was soft, but deadly.

"I'm in."