"I knew he'd come to me. No pressure. No chase."
Samantha's voice was low, quiet, laced with a calm edge as she stood before the floor-to-ceiling glass on the 50th floor of Elevate Strategic Group. The sky was painted in a crisp daylight shimmer, the city stretched beneath her like a chessboard, and she — the queen — watched in silence.
She was holding a sleek windowpane, a built-in optical surveillance display shimmered faintly — the kind only multi-billion dollar tech could afford. Samantha lifted one hand and swiped across a nearly invisible panel, zooming in on the building's entrance.
There they were — Nick Carter and Lynn. Standing beneath her empire like ants. Watching, failing, guessing.
A small, pleased smirk tugged at her lips.
Moments later, a soft beep chimed from behind her.
The door to her office slid open. Lynn stepped in confidently, her card still in hand, cheeks flushed with laughter.
"You should've seen his face, ma'am," Lynn said, barely containing her giggle. "He looked like someone stole his crown. Absolutely stunned."
Samantha turned slowly. Her expression neutral.
Lynn's breath hitched — had she gone too far?
But instead of reprimanding her, Samantha said,
"You did well, Lynn. A real leader makes calculated moves. You followed the plan — and it paid off."
Lynn brightened. "I stuck to the script, just as we rehearsed. Denied access. Kept calm. Showed no emotion."
Samantha offered the faintest nod of approval as she slid the surveillance panel back into the wall. She moved toward her desk — her gait fluid and elegant — then sat, fingers brushing across the keyboard of her silver laptop.
"You may go. I'll call if I need anything."
"Yes, ma'am," Lynn said with a proud smile, backing out of the office. The door sealed behind her with a second beep.
Samantha's expression shifted. Calculating. Cold.
She picked up her phone and dialed.
"Jake. Come to my office now."
No emotion. No need for more words.
Within minutes, Jake Morgan stepped into the room — sharp in a grey tailored suit, sleeves rolled slightly at the wrist. His energy was calm, protective, quietly intense.
"Any updates?" she asked, still facing her screen.
"Chloe's good at hiding her dirt," Jake admitted. "But I'm digging. I've got her private socials, dummy bank cards, a few encrypted messages we're working on cracking."
Samantha's gaze stayed on her screen. "Keep going. She's hiding something big. I can feel it."
Jake leaned against the desk edge, arms crossed.
"Sam, you sure it was smart letting Nick get that close today?"
Samantha looked up, her eyes sharp.
"You think I don't know what I'm doing?"
"I didn't say that," Jake said gently. "But I don't want you getting hurt again. That family — they destroyed Ally. I'm just making sure Samantha doesn't fall the same way."
She rose from her chair — slow, powerful — and stepped toward him. Her voice was quiet, precise.
"Ally was blind. Samantha isn't. Letting Nick into my space lets me study him, control the narrative. He thinks he's chasing a deal. He has no idea he's walking into a trap."
Jake's jaw tightened, but he nodded. She was always three steps ahead.
Samantha handed him a thick black folder.
"This is everything on the unlaunched project. Read through it. I want feedback by tonight."
Jake took it, eyes scanning the seal. "You'll have it."
Samantha walked back to her desk, pressed a button under the glass. Her panoramic window, once offering a view of the city, faded to white as the smart-glass darkened into an impenetrable opaque screen.
"I'm heading out," she said, picking up her Hermès handbag.
Jake stepped aside, watching her move like a ghost through power.
In the hallway, they parted without a word. She headed toward the elevator. It opened with a soft chime.
Ground floor.
Lynn was already waiting beside a sleek black Mercedes. She took Samantha's bag with practiced ease.
The chauffeur stepped out, bowing slightly before opening the door. Samantha slid into the leather seat. Lynn followed, door closing quietly behind them.
"Status?" Samantha asked as the engine purred to life.
"All meetings for today were cancelled and rescheduled per your request, ma'am," Lynn replied crisply. "Nothing left on your calendar."
Samantha exhaled — slow, measured — and stared out the tinted window as Manhattan drifted past.
"Good," she said. "Now drive."