Victoria’s phone buzzed with an encrypted message.
*Starbucks on 5th. Come alone. I have the receipts. – D*
Victoria hesitated. She knew William would forbid it. Dominic Valerius was the “Wild Card,” the man who had tried to steal her, the man whose family was currently besieging hers. But William was playing defense; Victoria needed offense.
She met Dominic at the back table of the cafe. He looked tired, his usual arrogant smirk replaced by a bitter scowl. He hated William, but right now, his hatred for his father, Arthur Sterling, burned hotter.
He slid a manila envelope across the table. “Bank transfers. Wire dates. My father paid Cynthia Sharpe half a million dollars to plant that story about your stripper days.”
Victoria took the envelope. “Why give me this? It helps William.”
“It hurts Arthur,” Dominic corrected, his eyes cold. “Cynthia betrayed me for a paycheck. And my father… he thinks he can use me as a pawn.”
He leaned in, his voice dropping. “But this smear campaign? It’s smoke, Victoria. While the world is looking at your old photos, my father is buying up Croft stock through shell companies. He’s not trying to ruin your reputation; he’s planning a hostile takeover. He wants to own you.”