Fractured Reflections

behind her massi

ming in through th

ice. The room was

rt adorned the wa

power and sophistic

phone buzzed consta

scurried about, e

their boss ex

nned the latest pr

mpany was on the b

new high-end resid

o stand in her way.

lating her next mo

swung

talk," Daniel, her

the room. He was a

ies, always exudin

too, Daniel," Tiffa

ice. "What's the

across from her,

out the media cove

on. There are rum

egality of

eyebrow. "Rumors,

le those. What's

ard, lowering his

within might be le

airtight, but so

ind of ou

n hardened. "Find o

care what it takes.

e en

owing better than

the meantime, we n

nking an exclusive

mmunity benefits

pinning it to make

up. And make sure

roll

note on his table

, her lawyer, walk

jawline and pierc

be analyzing ever

osed the door beh

a for a moment lon

" he greeted her,

"We have a

ing back in her chai

it now,

ayes from Hayes Heights is suing us for trying to take over his apartment buildin

r eyes. "Typical.

y can stand in my w

ve

linted with a mi

rsonal as he watc

ght this in court an

dle it more

led into a sly smi

need to, li

predatory smile pl

you have the influence. We just need

"Fine. Do whatever it takes. If I have to pay off

, glancing at the screen. It was a message from Jose, her right-hand man. He was

il is ready. Shall

g at t

k response and s

g out for a bit. Keep me up

g on her once more. "Of course, Tif

n unreadable. "I certainly hope so,

loor. She made her way to the elevator, where Jose was waiting. He was a tall, imposing fi

lace, Ms. Jakes," J

besid

already shifting to the next tas

ground up, using whatever means necessary. She had learned early on that the law was just an obstacle to be navi

on site, a group of men in hard hat

same confidence and authority

y. "This project is a priority, and I expect nothing less than perfec

nderstanding the

ide, his presence a

ences of cr

the progress, her thoughts wander

ho had recently moved back to his parents' building. S

ack down fro

again, and she

an

set for next week. I'll pre

to fight me. He'll soon learn

he city lights began

ice. The day's work

ty. She thrived on the power she w

t back at her desk,

ion. Her life was a

lity, strength and

nd her heart were

thou

that the principle

ust her business empire, but her v

ng for certain: no matter the cost, she

o his parents' apar

ocuments and infor

the company threa

the familiar sce

und of the evening

backg

his mother, Tia, cal

le. He made his way into the kitchen, where Tia was stirring a pot of her famous chi

?" she asked, her

thi

k. "I gathered all the information I could about Jakes C

e ea

es filled with con

. He's been pacing

the la

itchen and walked into the living room, where his father, M

thought of someone like Tiffany Jakes trying

eted, setting his b

ee t

ied, stopping his p

t did you

riefcase and pul

Construction Inc

tactics to get wha

lating the law-Ti

y the

kened. "That woman

e pleases and expe

eet. Well, no

er a document. "I'v

, and we have a good chance of winn

h ba

cument, scanning it

an't stand the th

way. She's

, Dad. But we'll ha

We ha

ed in, wiping her h

d, her calm presence instantly

set the document do

scuss this mo

nk about Tiffany.He had never met her in person, but

s woman who let no

elf intrigued by h

f he disagreed w

xt move?" Michael

s

n. "We'll start by f

ts who can help g

ivities. We'll nee

ate

esolute. "Good. Let's show her t

d on Michael's arm. "We'll get t

his wife's touch,

n. "You're righ

eturned to the livi

it. And as much as he hated the thought of going up against someone as form

n, Nic couldn't sha

beginning of som

more than just a

koned with. And he was det

ic was up early, re

thered his notes a

in order. As he pr

d him a ther

elf, baby," she sai

rr

sured her. "And I'l

We're goi

se. He was ready to take on Tiffany and her empire. He just