And standing in the parking lot in borrowed sweatpants was the woman who' built an 11 billion dollar empire. And Nathan watched it happen. Watched her rise up into her full and terrible height right there between the dented goals and the snack table. He suspended you. She said her voice had changed completely.
It was the voice from the boardroom. The voice that ended careers. He made a phone call to my building, to my staff, about my employee without my authorization. She turned and looked at Nathan and her eyes were bright and hard as struck Flint. He thinks he still has that power.
He thinks the engagement being over changes nothing because he spent two years teaching me that his word carries in my company. A slow, cold breath. He's about to learn how wrong he is. Victoria, get Lily home," Victoria said, already pulling her dead phone out of her pocket and holding down the power button, watching it come back to life with a hundred waiting notifications. "Get her home, get her fed, and don't worry about Monday. " The phone lit up.
She was already scrolling, already dialing the fortress, fully manned. Now every gun turned outward for the first time in 2 years not to protect herself. Nathan realized but to protect him and his daughter. Nathan, look at me. He looked at her.
You stood between me and the rain last night. Victoria said, you gave me your jacket. You gave me your couch and your shirt and your daughter's saved toast. And you asked for nothing. So now you're going to let me do one thing for you.
And you're not going to argue because I am very very good at exactly one thing in this world and that thing is winning. She put the phone to her ear. It was ringing. Adrien Cole just made the worst business decision of his life. He picked a fight on my territory and I am done being made small.
The line connected. Victoria Harrington's voice went smooth as glass and twice as sharp. Marcus, she said, it's Victoria. I'm sorry to call you on a Saturday. I need you to pull every document related to Adrien Cole's involvement with Harrington Global.
And I need the board on a call by Monday at 8:00 a.m. A pause. Yes, all of it. And Marcus can the wedding vendors. Everyone personally.
Another pause. She was watching Nathan the whole time. And something in her face was fierce and bright and absolutely certain. No, I'm not upset. For the first time in two years, Marcus, I'm thinking perfectly clearly.