Chapter 54

Chapter 54
Ava's POV

I sat behind my desk, frowning at the stack of documents before me. My mind wasn't on the quarterly projections or acquisition reports—it was consumed by Sebastian and the damned embezzlement scandal that had dominated the news cycle for days.

A soft knock at my office door interrupted my thoughts. I looked up to see Jannine, my assistant, standing in the doorway.

"Ms. Sterling, there's a Zayne King here to see you. He doesn't have an appointment, but—"

My pulse quickened. Zayne King—Sebastian's step-brother. The one who'd orchestrated that entire embezzlement fiasco, if the media reports were to be believed.

"Send him in," I said, quickly smoothing my hair and straightening my posture.

Moments later, Zayne strolled into my office, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, his signature warm smile playing on his lips. Unlike Sebastian's cold demeanor, Zayne always exuded an easy charm that disarmed people.

But I wasn't fooled. Behind that smile was a calculator just as cold as mine.

"Ava, it's been too long," he said, his voice light and pleasant.

I stared at him for a second, my mind racing.

Recovering quickly, I plastered a perfect smile on my face and rose from my chair. "Indeed it has, Zayne. What a pleasant surprise."

I pressed the intercom button. "Jannine, bring coffee for our guest, please."

When we were alone again, I kept my tone light. "So, what brings you to Sterling Investments? I wouldn't have expected you after... recent events."

Zayne's eyes sparkled with something like amusement. The conniving little snake.

"Business brings me everywhere these days," he replied, taking a sip of his coffee. His eyes studied me over the rim of the cup. "Though I must admit, I was curious to see how you were doing, especially with the wedding plans."

My hand tightened imperceptibly around my pen. Wedding plans? That bastard was deliberately provoking me.

"Wedding plans?" I echoed, maintaining my sweet tone even as rage bubbled beneath the surface.

Zayne raised an eyebrow, his smile widening slightly. "Oh? I just assumed, given how long you and Sebastian have been dancing around each other. Don't tell me you still haven't managed to pin my brother down?"

There it was—the dig, the provocation, the little needle designed to get under my skin. Sebastian and I weren't officially engaged, but it was only a matter of time. Everyone in our social circle expected it. Our families approved. It made perfect business sense.

If only Sebastian would stop his obsession with that nobody from the Bronx.

I forced a light laugh. "These things take time, Zayne. Our families have already discussed and agreed upon the engagement plans." I tilted my head, studying him. "But I'm sure you didn't come here to discuss my relationship with Sebastian."

"Not entirely," Zayne admitted, leaning back in his chair with a casual grace that reminded me how different he was from his brooding brother. "Though I am concerned about you, Ava. Sebastian's behavior lately has been... erratic."

I remained silent, waiting for him to continue. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me react.

"Did you know," he continued, his voice dropping conspiratorially, "about the girl from the Bronx? Joanna Bennett?"

My blood ran cold, but I kept my expression neutral. "I know her," I said dismissively. "Some employee of his, I believe?"

Zayne's eyes gleamed with malicious delight. "Oh, she's much more than that, I'm afraid. Sebastian rescued her when she was nearly raped. He's paying for her mother's medical treatments." He paused for dramatic effect. "And he even forgave her for her role in the embezzlement scandal."

Each word felt like a knife twisting in my gut. I knew about Joanna—of course I did.

"Sebastian has always had a charitable streak," I said, forcing myself to sound bored. "He likely feels sorry for the girl. It means nothing."

"Does it?" Zayne leaned forward, his voice dropping to just above a whisper. "Ava, I'm worried he's in love with her."

I nearly broke my pen in half. Love? Sebastian King didn't love anyone. He only loved Elodie, the girl who had already passed away.

He was cold, calculating, driven by ambition and power—just like me. That's why we were perfect for each other. Whatever fascination he had with Joanna Bennett was temporary. A distraction. Nothing more.

But what if Zayne was right?

"Even if that were true," I said carefully, "what does it have to do with you? Why are you here, Zayne?"

Zayne's smile turned predatory. "I thought we might help each other."

He reached into his pocket and placed a small packet on my desk. White powder in a clear plastic bag. I stared at it, then back at him, my brow furrowed.

"What is this supposed to be?"

"Something I brought back from overseas," Zayne explained, his voice low and dangerous. "One packet's dose is enough to make a full-grown lion go into heat."

I looked at the packet, then back at Zayne's face, disgust curling my lip. "And you think I need... aphrodisiacs? Is this some kind of joke?"

"Not at all," Zayne replied smoothly. "Think of it as an insurance policy. If Sebastian and your company merger are truly meant to be, you won't need it. But if he continues to be... distracted..."

I stared at him coldly. "Why would you help me? If Sebastian marries me, our families' companies will merge. There would be no place for you."

Zayne laughed, a sound devoid of any real mirth. "I couldn't care less about the company, Ava. I just want Sebastian to be miserable." His eyes hardened. "He loves Joanna. I want to make sure he can never have her."

He stood, straightening his jacket with practiced elegance. "The powder is yours to use or discard. Consider it a gift." His smile returned, as false as everything else about him. "Enjoy your coffee."

With that, he turned and walked out, leaving me staring at the small packet on my desk.

After he left, I sat in silence, contemplating the powder and everything Zayne had said. Sebastian and Joanna... the possibility gnawed at me.

The packet seemed to mock me from my desk. Use it? Discard it? Trust Zayne? He was a snake—everyone knew that. But snakes sometimes told uncomfortable truths.

I picked up the packet, turning it over in my hands. Sebastian was mine. I'd been patient, strategic, the perfect match for his ambition and social standing.

No Bronx charity case was going to take that from me.

Decision made, I slipped the packet into my purse and reached for my phone. I pulled up Sebastian's contact and began composing a message about my upcoming birthday celebration. A private party. The perfect setting to remind him exactly who belonged in his world.