Chapter 140 The smell of lies

Chapter 140 The smell of lies


~ANNETTE'S POV~

The cab pulled away from the curb, leaving me standing in front of Darla's building with a white bakery box in my hand.

I took a deep breath of the city air. For the first time in my life, lunch with my father hadn't ended with me crying in a bathroom or chugging wine to numb the insults. 

It had ended with a handshake. A deal.

I felt lighter. Dangerous.

I looked down at the box of pastries—Darla's favorite lemon tarts. I had told the waiter to pack them up as an apology for disappearing this morning. 

I would tell her I went for a walk to clear my head. I would tell her I just needed space. I wouldn't tell her I just blackmailed my father into handing me an empire.

I turned toward the entrance and froze.

A sleek black sedan was parked right in front of the hydrant. Tinted windows. armored plating. I knew that car.

"Claire?" I whispered.

Darla had mentioned Claire's mother was in the hospital. I didn't think she would be stopping by so soon, but maybe she needed a friend. 

I adjusted my grip on the box, plastered a smile on my face, and unlocked the front door.

I walked up the stairs, rehearsing my lines. Everything is fine. I'm fine. We're safe.

I unlocked the apartment door.

"Darla, I'm back!" I called out, stepping inside and kicking the door shut behind me. "I know you're probably pissed about where I went, but I can explain. I brought peace offerings. And hey, I saw the car outside, is Claire..."

My voice died in my throat.

The living room felt super tense. Darla was standing by the window, her arms wrapped tight around her body, refusing to look at me. 

And standing in the center of the room, looking like a monolith in a charcoal suit, was Alexander Hayes.

"Oh," I said, my smile faltering. "Alexander. I thought it was Claire."

I looked from Darla, who looked like she was about to be sick, to Alexander, who was staring at me with the intensity of a laser sight.

"What brings the billionaire of New York to this part of town?" I asked, trying for a joke. "Lost your GPS?"

"Where were you?" Alexander asked. No hello. No pleasantries. Just the interrogation.

I arched a brow. I shouldn't have been surprised. Alexander didn't do 'casual.'

I looked at Darla. "Did Darla not tell you?"

Alexander smiled. It was a terrifying expression. "Darla said you went grocery shopping." His eyes dropped to the small white bakery box in my hand. "And judging by the size of that box, unless you bought a single onion, I'm guessing there are no groceries in there."

"Right," I muttered.

I knew Darla hated lying. I had put her in a terrible position, and Alexander had sniffed it out instantly.

I walked past him, placing the box on the kitchen counter. "I planned on going shopping," I lied smoothly. "But the lines were long, and I decided I needed sugar more than kale. Sue me."

I turned back to him, crossing my arms.

"Why are you really here, Alexander? Did you come to critique my diet, or is there another reason you left your fortress?"

"I came to see you," he said.

"Wow." I feigned shock. "I'm honored. Truly."

"Darla," Alexander said, not taking his eyes off me. "Give us the room."

Darla hesitated. She looked at me, her eyes wide and fearful. I gave her a small, reassuring nod. It's okay. I can handle him.

"I will be in the bedroom," she whispered, and hurried away, closing the door softly.

The silence that followed was deep.

"She's gone," Alexander said, his voice dropping to a low rumble. "Drop the act, Annette."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I can sniff out lies," he said, taking a step toward me. "And from where I'm standing, you reek of them."

I froze, my heart beating against my ribs. But I forced my face to remain calm. I smiled.

"There must be something wrong with your nose today, Alexander. Maybe it's the city smog."

"I don't trust you," he said bluntly. "Just because you pulled that stunt with the USB drive doesn't mean you're in the circle. You're still a Sterling. You're still Monica's sister."

"That's touching," I said dryly. "Really. Your warmth is overwhelming."

"I have eyes on Sterling Corps," he continued, ignoring my sarcasm. "I have auditors ready. I have the FBI on speed dial. One wrong move....one hint that your father is helping Monica....and I burn that company to the ground. The news crews are already drafted."

My hands clenched into fists at my sides.

"Don't," I said. The mask slipped. My voice was hard. "Don't you touch Sterling Corps."

Alexander tilted his head, intrigued by the sudden shift. "Why do you care? You hate your father. You hate the legacy."

"It's mine," I hissed. "You can do whatever you want to Monica. You can ruin Richard. But Sterling Corps is mine."

Alexander scoffed. "So much for the 'rebel daughter' act. The moment Monica is out of the picture, you show your true colors. You're just as greedy as the rest of them."

"It wouldn't kill a girl to dream big," I shot back, stepping into his space. "I just want what was denied to me. How is that greedy?"

I glared up at him.

"You of all people should understand, Alexander. You're a bastard child too. Or have you forgotten what it feels like to be looked down on? To be the mistake? To claw your way up while the 'legitimate' heirs get everything handed to them?"

Alexander stared at me. The disgust in his eyes faded, replaced by something colder.

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I knew it," he said softy. "I knew you were hiding who you really are. You're a sly fox, Annette."

I smirked. "I helped you and your fiancée take down your enemies. I saved you from a massive security breach. Of course I need compensation."

"What do you want, then?"

"I want the company," I said. "I want Sterling Corps. If you can help me secure it... if you can keep the FBI away long enough for me to take the throne... I will be forever loyal to Hayes International."

Alexander looked surprised. He studied me, re-evaluating the threat level.

"Prove it," he said.

"Prove what?"

"Prove your loyalty right now," he demanded. "And tomorrow, you will have Sterling Corps in your palm. I will back your play."

I knew Alexander Hayes never bluffed. This was a real offer.

"What do you want to know?" I asked.

He leaned down, his voice barely a whisper.

"Do you know where Monica is hiding? And who is helping her? Is it your father?" The world seemed to stop.

I knew. Of course I knew. My father had practically admitted it at lunch. I knew she was hiding. I knew my father was funneling money.

I should tell him. It was the right thing to do. It would end this war.

But if I told him now, Alexander would destroy my father. He would destroy the company I just secured for myself. I needed leverage. I needed to hold the strings of both puppets—Brad Sterling on my left, Alexander Hayes on my right.

If I gave up the secret now, I was just a pawn again.

I smiled. It was the best performance of my life.

"No," I said.

Alexander's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure? You know I hate lies, Annette. I have no room for second chances."

"I'm sure," I lied, keeping my heartbeat steady by sheer will. "Seriously, Alexander, what makes you think my dear sister would contact me? I betrayed her. Remember? I handed you the drive."

"What about your father?"

"You know my father and I don't see eye to eye," I said, running a hand through my hair, feigning exhaustion. "I don't know if he's helping her. Brad Sterling cares for no one but himself. He's probably worried about his stock prices, not his fugitive daughter."

I felt sick to my stomach. It was a dangerous lie. A lie that could get me killed.

Alexander studied my face for an agonizing ten seconds. He was looking for a twitch. A sweat bead. A tell.

He didn't find one.

"Fine," he said, straightening up. He didn't look convinced, but he didn't have proof. He walked to the door. "I apologize for ruining your afternoon."

He paused with his hand on the lock, looking back at me one last time. "Tell Darla that Claire is expecting a visit. She needs her friend."

"I will."

He unlocked the door and left.

The moment the latch clicked, my knees gave out. I collapsed onto the floor, my back hitting the kitchen cabinets. My whole body started to shake.

The bedroom door flew open. Darla ran out.

"Annette?" She dropped to her knees beside me, grabbing my shoulders. "Are you okay? What happened? Did he hurt you?"

I pulled her into a hug, burying my face in her neck, breathing in her scent to ground myself.

"I'm okay," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I'm okay."

I stared at the closed door over her shoulder. I had lied to Alexander Hayes. I had protected the very people I hated to secure my own future.

That was close, I thought. Too close.

But I had the company. And for now, I still had my life.