Chapter 21
In the rainy night of Paris, Declan curled up on the bed of a cheap hotel in Saint–Denis.[]
The wallpaper was moldy and peeling, the sheets stained with suspicious marks, and neon lights from outside cast shifting shadows through the grimy window onto his pale face.
His phone lit up on the nightstand–the fifteenth debt collection text.]
[Pay up within 48 hours or you’re dead meat.]]]
He trembling grabbed the half–empty whiskey bottle, the cheap alcohol burning his throat as the TV droned with international news:[]
[Chinese national Lin identified only by surname arrested in Switzerland for international fraud and money laundering, involving 230 million euros…]]
The scene cut to Geneva police station, where Mia Castellano stood in handcuffs, her carefully styled curls a disheveled mess.
When reporters pressed about the missing funds, she suddenly screamed at the camera: “It was all Declan Hayes! He masterminded everything! All that project money went through his hands!“]
CRASH!
The bottle slipped from Declan’s grip, amber liquid soaking into the carpet as he stared at that twisted face on screen, suddenly remembering their final confrontation in the office three months ago.]]
“If I go down, Hayes Corp goes down with me!“[]
And she’d kept her word.[]
His phone buzzed with an email from the bank: [Your Hayes Corp shares used as collateral have entered liquidation proceedings.]]
This meant the century–old Hayes empire would change hands forever.
Violent pounding erupted at the door.
“Hayes! We know you’re in there!” Heavily accented curses accompanied the banging. “Open up or we’ll torch this shithole!“]]
Declan staggered to his feet, and the figure in the mirror made him freeze.[]
Sunken eye sockets, streaks of gray in his hair, the custom suit that once cost tens of thousands now reeking of sour sweat. Was this really the same man who’d once dominated the business world?[]
Crash–the window suddenly shattered, and a torch flew in, flames instantly racing up the curtains.[]
Declan grabbed his coat and rushed out, colliding head–on with the gangsters in the hallway.[]
The lead thug grabbed his collar: “Running? Why’d you stop now?“]
Several men pinned him against the wall, a cold blade pressed to his throat.]
“Boss is giving you one last chance.” The man’s breath reeked of alcohol. “Word is you were crazy about that Lin bitch? Here’s the deal–get back all that money you transferred to her, hand it over us, and we’ll let you live.“[]
to
Declan suddenly laughed, the sound raw and broken: “I’m looking for that bitch too… Why don’t you try asking at Geneva prison? ‘Cause I can tell you right now–you’ve already taken every last cent I had.“]
The blade bit deep into flesh, warm blood trickling down.[]
Just as he thought he’d die in this filthy hotel, sirens wailed in the distance.
“Shit, told you not to make such a scene!” The thugs scattered with curses.[]
Declan slid down the wall, covering his face as laughter bubbled up, then dissolved into sobs through his fingers.]
I was wrong… I really know I was wrong…”
SEKSAMENANGRANDE KAVOSTAL
Same day–Geneva Women’s Prison]
Mia Castellano huddled in the corner of the visitation room, her face bare of makeup.
When the guard informed her that no one was willing to hire a lawyer for her, she suddenly exploded, throwing water at the security camera.]
“Do you know who I am? I’m the future lady of Hayes Corp!” Her screams echoed off the concrete walls. “When I get out… when I get out I’ll make you all pay!”
The guard injected her with a sedative, expression unchanged.]
In her last moment of consciousness, Mia caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.[]
Hair dry as straw, eyes shot through with red veins, checks hollow, complexion ashen gray. The expensive silk dress had long since been replaced by an orange jumpsuit.
Was this really her? The elegant goddess who’d once captivated Declan Hayes?[]
The iron door slammed shut, darkness swallowing all her desperate whimpers.[]
4
