Sonia Van der Berg did not handle failure well.
She sat in her penthouse, surrounded by luxury that felt like prison, staring at the news reports. "Thorne cleared of misconduct charges." "Mystery assistant defends billionaire." "Thorne Foundation gala to proceed as planned."
And worst of all: "Thorne spotted with assistant in Central Park. Romance confirmed?"
She threw her champagne flute at the wall. Crystal shattered, raining down like her dreams.
"You'll hurt yourself," a voice said from the shadows.
Sonia didn't turn. "You failed me. The evidence was supposed to be irrefutable."
"The assistant was unexpected." The figure stepped into light—Marcus, the IT director, his usual friendly mask replaced by cold calculation. "She has courage. Loyalty. Things we didn't account for."
"We?" Sonia laughed bitterly. "You're my employee, Marcus. Don't forget your place."
"Your employee who saved your father from bankruptcy. Who keeps your secrets. Who wants..." He moved closer, predatory. "Who wants what you promised."
Sonia finally looked at him. Marcus was attractive in a forgettable way—medium height, medium build, medium everything. But his eyes... his eyes held a hunger that matched her own.
"You'll get it," she said smoothly. "When Thorne Enterprises is mine. When Adrian realizes his mistake and comes crawling back."
"And if he doesn't?"
Sonia smiled, beautiful and broken. "Then I'll destroy everything he loves. Starting with Nancy Clark."
She pulled out her phone, dialing a number she'd memorized but never used. "Dr. Voss? It's Sonia Van der Berg. I need to discuss the Thorne medical files. Yes, the hereditary ones. I believe we can help Adrian see reason... through his greatest fear."
She hung up, turning to Marcus with renewed purpose. "Phase two begins tonight. Are you with me?"
Marcus took her hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "Always, my love."
The word hung between them, grotesque and unacknowledged. Sonia let him believe what he needed. In the game she was playing, everyone was a pawn.
Even Adrian Thorne. Especially Nancy Clark.
And especially the secret that would tear them apart.