Chapter 15: The Price of Refusal

Sebastian Vale leaned back in his leather chair, eyes narrowed as he studied Maria like a man appraising an asset. His office in the Swiss estate was minimalist, sterile, and guarded by armed men in black. The windows behind him overlooked snow-capped mountains, a picturesque contrast to the tension pulsing in the room.

Maria sat across from him, spine straight, expression calm—but every nerve in her body was alert. Beside her, Ian Ross didn't sit. He stood with his arms crossed, gaze hard, protective, dangerous.

"You're smarter than I expected, Maria," Vale said finally. "But smart doesn't always mean wise."

"And powerful doesn't always mean invincible," Maria replied coolly.

He smirked. "Still sharp-tongued. I admire that. But you've been playing a small game—exposing Dana, taking down Blake, tracing the threads of Project Marionette. You think you've uncovered the truth, but you're still missing the bigger picture."

She said nothing, letting him talk.

"Everything you're angry about—your father's death, your ruined engagement, the scandal—it was unfortunate, yes. But necessary. Your father refused to cooperate. You were collateral."

Ian stepped forward. "You murdered him."

Vale waved a hand. "Not personally. But I signed off on it. The moment he tried to pull Sinclair Global out of my hands, he signed his own death warrant."

Maria's heart pounded, but she didn't flinch. "And now what? You're going to kill me, too?"

"No," Vale said smoothly. "I'm going to offer you the world."

He opened a sleek drawer and slid a leather folder across the desk. Maria didn't touch it.

"Inside is a contract that reinstates you as the majority shareholder of Sinclair Global—under my protection. You'll be richer than ever. Untouchable. But there's a condition."

She didn't need to ask. Ian asked it for her.

"What's the catch?"

Vale smiled coldly. "You walk away from Ian. Publicly. Permanently. You sever all ties with your old life. I make you queen—but you reign alone."

Maria laughed softly, the sound sharp as glass. "You want to buy me off like a mistress?"

"I want to mold you into something greater. You were born with power in your blood, Maria. But emotions? Love? They're liabilities. You've seen what loyalty costs. Cut it out. And you'll rise."

Ian scoffed. "You're disgusting."

Vale ignored him. "The decision is yours. But refuse me—and I won't just destroy you. I'll erase everyone who touches you."

He leaned in, voice low and venomous. "Starting with him."

Maria locked eyes with him. "You made one mistake."

Vale raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"

"You should've killed me when you had the chance."

She stood up. Ian followed. The guards tensed, but Vale raised a hand.

"Let them go."

As they exited, Vale's voice followed them like a shadow. "Tick tock, Maria. Choose wisely."

—

Back in the car, Maria was silent, her fingers curled into fists on her lap. Ian drove with one hand, the other reaching over to squeeze hers.

"You okay?" he asked quietly.

"No," she said. "But I will be."

They reached their hotel under heavy disguise. The moment the door closed behind them, Maria opened her clutch and pulled out a slim voice recorder.

"You got it?" Ian asked.

She nodded. "Every word. The contract, the threats, the confession. It's all on tape."

Ian exhaled in disbelief. "That's enough to bring him down."

Maria shook her head. "No. It's enough to start the fire. But we'll need more to burn his empire to the ground."

She walked to the window and stared out at the snow. "He killed my father. He used Dana. He wants to own me."

"Then we hit him where it hurts," Ian said. "His money. His image. His secrets."

Maria turned back, her voice steel. "We make him regret ever trying to turn me into a puppet."

—

The next morning, Ian contacted a tech expert he trusted—one of the few people left untouched by Vale's influence. They encrypted the audio and sent it anonymously to several journalists, activist networks, and private investigators around Europe.

That night, news broke of an anonymous whistleblower leaking information about a global elite conspiracy linked to several known billionaires—including Sebastian Vale.

Vale responded swiftly.

Journalists began disappearing. A major news outlet that planned to release the audio was suddenly "hacked." Two whistleblowers died in mysterious "accidents." The storm had started—and Vale was playing dirty.

—

Three days later, Maria received a small black box delivered to her hotel suite. No note. No label.

Inside was a thumb drive.

And a photo.

Her younger half-brother, David.

Bound. Bruised. Afraid.

Maria's breath caught in her throat. She gripped the edge of the table as the room spun.

Ian read the note on the screen. It was short.

"Your move, Maria. Clock's ticking."