Chapter 115 Strategic Gambit
Briar's POV
I was halfway through reviewing the quarterly reports when my phone buzzed with a message from Lily downstairs. "Ms. Vance, there's a situation in the lobby. Someone is causing a disturbance and asking for you specifically."
I closed my laptop and headed for the elevator. The lobby was unusually quiet when I stepped out. I followed the direction of their carefully averted gazes and found Chloe Davenport sitting on the floor near the reception desk, her back against the wall and her knees pulled up to her chest.
Her eyes were red and swollen and her carefully styled hair was coming loose from its pins. She looked up when I approached and something in her expression cracked wide open.
"Briar," she said, her voice thick and unsteady. "Get me out of here."
She pushed herself up and stumbled forward, catching herself against my shoulder. The sharp smell of alcohol hit me and I realized she was very drunk. She buried her face against my neck and her shoulders started shaking with silent sobs.
I was acutely aware of every pair of eyes in the lobby tracking our every move, but I couldn't exactly leave her here crying on the floor. I wrapped an arm around her waist and got her into my car.
Lucian had texted earlier saying he had an emergency meeting at Apex and wouldn't be back until late, which meant I had the place to myself. Chloe cried the entire drive, those awful gasping sobs that sound like they're being torn out of someone's chest. By the time I got her upstairs and settled on the couch, she'd gone quiet and still in a way that was somehow worse.
I brought her water and tissues and sat down beside her. "What happened?"
Chloe stared at the water glass like she'd forgotten what it was for. When she finally spoke, her voice came out flat and empty. "Julian went to Cascade Peak with my sister. Same suite."
I felt something twist in my chest, not surprise exactly but a kind of tired recognition. "You knew this was coming eventually."
"Knowing doesn't make it hurt less," Chloe whispered. Her eyes filled with fresh tears that spilled over. "I thought if I just waited long enough, if I was patient enough, he'd see me. Really see me."
I made her eat something, or tried to. She picked at the food and then suddenly grabbed the serving dishes and started dumping everything into her bowl in a chaotic pile. She shoved a spoonful into her mouth and immediately gagged, spitting it back out.
"Stop," I said, taking the bowl away. "You're going to make yourself sick."
Chloe covered her face with her hands and her shoulders started shaking. "I'm sorry," she said through her fingers. "I didn't know who else to turn to. Only you."
She looked up at me with eyes that were raw and desperate. "He doesn't deserve my feelings. I know that. But my heart doesn't listen."
I was quiet for a long moment. Finally I said, "Some people spend their lives wanting what they can't have."
Chloe pushed her bowl away and stood abruptly. "Can I use your bathroom?"
"Down the hall, second door on the left," I said.
I was clearing the dishes when I heard a crash from the living room. I ran in to find Chloe standing frozen near the entertainment center with my camera in her hands. The lens had separated from the body and pieces were scattered across the floor.
"I'm so sorry," Chloe said, her voice rising with panic. "I thought it was a game console, I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," I said quickly.
The front door opened and Lucian walked in, already loosening his tie. His eyes found mine and something in his expression softened. I crossed to him and reached up to help with the tie, my fingers working the knot loose. Lucian's hand came up to rest on my waist and he leaned down, his intention clear. I tilted my face up and then Chloe's hand landed on his shoulder with a sharp pat.
"Oh god," she said, her face flooding with color. "I'm so sorry, I should go—"
She grabbed her purse and was out the door before I could stop her.
I reheated the food while Lucian changed, and when he came back he wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.
"This feels nice," I said quietly. "Coming home to you. We've only been together a month but it already feels like longer."
"Maybe we have," Lucian murmured against my skin. "In all the ways that matter."
We ate and I told him about the board meeting, about Sterling divesting and the panic it had caused. Lucian listened without interrupting.
"I'm meeting with Reginald tomorrow," I said. "I'm going to tell him everything."
Lucian's hand covered mine on the table. "Sterling's cash flow is being strangled. Whatever posturing they do, it's all bluff."
I turned my hand over to lace our fingers together. "How do you always know exactly what I need to hear?"
"Because I pay attention," he said simply.
---
The next afternoon, I stood in the lobby of Emerald Forest Tower trying not to let my nerves show. Reginald's secretary led me through a maze of hallways to a private tea room.
"Mr. Smith is finishing up a meeting," the secretary said. "He shouldn't be more than a few minutes."
She left and I sat down, trying to organize my thoughts. Footsteps approached from behind the decorative screen and I turned, expecting Reginald. Instead, Devon stepped into view, a pleasant smile on his face.
"Reginald's tea is legendary," he said smoothly. "Who could resist?"
Every alarm bell in my head started ringing. Devon was here at the exact time I was supposed to be meeting with Reginald. That wasn't a coincidence.
Reginald had set this up deliberately, wanted me to see that I wasn't his only option. He was playing us against each other, waiting to see who would offer better terms. I took a slow breath and poured myself tea, letting the silence stretch. More than an hour passed before Reginald finally appeared.
"Ms. Vance," he said, settling into the chair at the head of the table. "Thank you for your patience."
I set down my teacup and met his eyes directly. "Vance Botanicals has several transactions that were used for money laundering."
Devon's teacup clinked against the saucer and Reginald's eyebrows rose. Neither had expected me to lead with that.
"The company itself wasn't involved," I continued. "We were used as a pass-through by Sterling Pharmaceuticals. But the transactions exist and create legal exposure. Sterling has significant political connections and taking them on directly would be complicated."
Reginald leaned back, his expression unreadable. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because if you really wanted to walk away because of this risk, you wouldn't have let me run into Devon. You're waiting for me to offer better terms."
Something that might have been approval flickered across Reginald's face.
"I understand the value of having Montgomery Medical as a hedge," I said, glancing at Devon. "Two suppliers means if one has problems, you're not completely exposed. That's smart business."
"Then why should I choose Vance?" Reginald asked.
"Because Montgomery will give you stability," I said. "But Vance will give you growth. Once our beverage line reaches explosive growth standards, I'll grant VitaChain exclusive distribution rights for two years."
Devon leaned forward. "That's a big promise based on a product that doesn't exist yet."
"It exists," I said. "We're in final testing now."
Reginald was quiet for a long moment, studying me with sharp eyes. Finally, he smiled.
"You're the first person who's ever walked into this office and opened with their worst liability," he said. "Most people spend the entire meeting trying to convince me they don't have any problems at all."
He stood and I rose with him. "I'll be in touch, Ms. Vance. Give me some time to consider your proposal."
I nodded once and turned to leave, not bothering to linger or press for a commitment.