Chapter 169 YOUR SHARES.
\~~~TALIA.
Twisted family, all of them. But I'd seen how close she and Raina were, always lunching and gossiping. I thought I could play her, use that bond to twist things my way. Stupid mistake.
I took a breath, forcing calm. Time to up the game. “I wonder if everything you know about your darling sister-in-law and her family is all that it seems?”
She crossed her arms, smirking. “Trust me, the last person who cares about family dynamics is me.”
Perfect opening. I leaned in, voice dropping low. “Even when her mother killed your mother and her father helped bury it up?”
Alessia's eyes fluttered, shock hitting her like a truck. “W... what?” Her voice cracked, just a little, but enough to show I'd landed the blow.
Of course... no one would have told her that.
The Morettis kept their skeletons buried deep, but I'd dug them up.
My mom, in a fit of rage and jealousy, stabbed Elena Moretti to death twenty years ago, and my dad covered it up.
Of course, I'd heard my parents talk about it and how it was the perfect leverage and family secrets that could shatter everything.
She didn't answer right away.
Her eyes wandered around the office, like she was piecing together a puzzle she'd never seen. Processing the bomb I'd just dropped. I could almost hear the gears turning in her head, the anger mixing with betrayal.
“Now, between us girls,” I said, keeping my tone smooth, “Let’s strike a deal.”
Still no words from her. She paced a step, then back, fists clenching at her sides. The slap marks on my face throbbed, but I ignored them. This was bigger than a little pain.
“You and your brother are the largest shareholders in this company,” I continued, circling the desk like a shark. “Now, tell me, Raina or this company?”
“What?” Her voice was sharper now, her eyes snapping back to me.
“Renounce your position, and appoint me CEO. Then you get Raina alive. Or keep your position, and I'll kill her.”
“Girl…” She trailed off, shaking her head, chuckling all of a sudden.
I pressed on, twisting the knife. “Tell me, would you rather save the daughter of the one whose parents murdered your mother, or hold on to your position?”
The words hung in the air, heavy and poisonous. Alessia's face twisted in anger, confusion, and a hint of something darker.
She obviously knew about her mother's death as the unsolved murder that haunted the family. But linking it to Raina?
That was new, fresh poison. I watched her closely, ready for the explosion. Would she lunge at me again or call the security?
She stopped pacing, turning to face me fully. Her eyes were hard, like steel. “You think you can just waltz in here, slap me with secrets, and I'll hand over the company? On a silver platter?”
I shrugged, leaning against the desk. “It is not about what I think. It is about what you know now. Raina's family destroyed yours. Her mom's hands are bloody, her dad's just as guilty. And now, she's paying the price, tied up, drugged, and waiting for whatever comes next. Marco's not gentle, you know. Whatever decision you come up with, your brother will follow. Give up the company to me. Your shares, and your brother's combined.”
Alessia's jaw tightened. I could see the war inside her, her loyalty to Raina, the sister-in-law she'd bonded with over drinks and secrets, versus the raw truth of betrayal.
“I have got no time for your game, little girl. Where is Raina?”
I laughed, short and bitter. “Games? Honey, I've been playing for real since I stepped into this body. Ask around. Dig into the old files. You needn’t go that far, in fact. Your brother knows everything.”
She rubbed her temples, sinking onto the edge of the couch. For the first time, Alessia looked vulnerable, cracks in her tough shell.
“But you can fix this. Sign over your shares to me. I will handle the company, and make it strong. And Raina? She gets to walk free and no more games.'
“Listen, I have little to no intention of dragging this with you. Your face disgusts me so much and the fact that you share the same face with Raina riles me up as much. Do you wanna play games? Oh, I do love games too, Talia,” she crossed the space between us and placed her hand on my shoulder.
I sniffed for a bit, wondering what the crazy lady was gonna do, but she only squeezed. “And, I’d play it with you. Comfortably, in fact. But first, ciao,” she released her grip on me and then turned away.
“Time is not on Raina's side,” I snapped, causing her to look back at me.
“Decide fast, or I'll make the call!”
She smiled at me, creepily, by the way, and then headed for the door.
The door clicked shut, leaving me alone. I touched my stinging cheek, wincing, then my shoulder.
What sort of person was she?
But the game was shifting, I could feel it. Luciano was breaking, Alessia was cracking, and the company? Mine for the taking.
I returned to my chair, swirled, and the office feeling less like a cage and more like a throne.
Poor Raina, her world was crumbling, and I was just getting started.
I pulled out my own phone, dialing Marco, “Status?” I snapped when he picked up.
“She’s an actress, your sister. She’s been feigning to be in pain,' he growled.
“I only kicked her a little after she stole my phone. But she is alive and fine.”
“Keep her that way,” I said. “Alessia is in play and the deal is on the table now.”
He laughed, rough.
“You always get what you want, don't you?”
“Damn right. That is just the beginning. After this, we head for the empire. You will be king,” I hung up, staring at the trash can where Raina's nameplate lay buried.
Soon, everything would be mine. The company, power, and the world, everything!
The secretary knocked softly, peeking in. “Ma'am? Your schedule?”
I waved her in. “Fucking cancel everything. I've got a better deal to seal.”
As she nodded and left, I leaned back, my legs crossed again.
The office felt right now, and mine.