Bankrupt

The deactivated black American Express card cut deep into Alaina's palm as she squeezed it.

The sharp plastic edge was a physical reminder that her life was over.

She stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Gay family's Upper East Side penthouse, staring down at Central Park. Her chest felt incredibly tight, as if an invisible hand was crushing her ribs, making it impossible to pull in a full breath.

The heavy oak doors of the office swung open.

Her bankruptcy lawyer walked in and slammed a massive stack of liquidation files onto the mahogany desk. The loud thud made Alaina's shoulders flinch.

"It is done, Alaina," the lawyer said. His voice was completely devoid of pity. "Under the Bankruptcy Code, the federal court has officially frozen every offshore trust tied to the Gay family name."

Alaina turned around. Her fingertips were ice-cold.

"What about the Hamptons estate?" she asked. Her voice shook. "It has been in my family for four generations. Tell me we saved it."

The lawyer shook his head. He did not look her in the eye.

"The Hamptons estate was fully acquired this morning by a private equity firm on Wall Street."

Alaina's stomach dropped like a stone. "Who? What firm?"

"Dyer Capital."

The name hit her like a physical blow to the stomach.

Alaina's pupils shrank. Her heart skipped a beat, then started hammering violently against her ribs.

Hardin Dyer.

Three years ago, he was the poor boy living in the damp basement of that very estate. He was the charity case who took her cold stares and arrogant insults without a word.

The heavy front doors of the penthouse were suddenly shoved open.

Five men in dark, cheap suits marched into the living room.

One of them held up a court summons. "Asset seizure. We are taking the paintings and the antiques."

Alaina rushed forward as two men grabbed the heavy gold frame of her grandmother's portrait.

"Stop! Do not touch that!" she yelled, grabbing the man's arm.

The man shoved her backward. Alaina stumbled, her heel catching on the Persian rug, but before she could hit the floor, the room went dead silent.

Heavy, measured footsteps echoed against the marble floor.

Hardin Dyer walked through the doorway.

He wore a dark, custom-tailored suit that made his broad shoulders look even more intimidating. The air in the room instantly grew thin.

Alaina looked up. Her eyes met his.