Shadows of the untouchable

newsroom buzzed with its usual chaos-phones ringing off the hook, the clatter of keyboards, and the occasional curse from someone

had dropped a bombshell o

ractically screamed trouble. "The untouchable billionaire. Reclusive, mysterio

ful. The kind of powerful that made people disappear if they got in his way. But Mark didn't care ab

ophia had said, trying to

oking?" Mark replied,

idn'

. "If anyone can crack this, it's you. Besides, think of the payda

saying no wasn't an option. Not with her bank account teetering on empty

t her screen, trying to figure

her thoughts. It was Mia, her best fri

? the te

ped back, Sterling.

s immediate. Yike

rivate jet, Sterling cutting a ribbon at some charity event, Sterling looking effortlessly intimidating in a tailored suit. He was every bit the picture of wealth a

ropist who poured millions into hospitals and schools. But dig a little deeper, and the cracks started to show. His company,

him "The Unt

army of lawyers and a PR team that could spin even the ugliest scandal into a glowing press releas

rity event, invitation-only, of course, but Sophia's mind was already racing. If she coul

er phone and

answered. "You've got a terrible

despite herself. "There's a gala at the Sterl

was no mistaking the amusement in h

he poi

ke a few calls. But you ow

hia said. "Th

he had no idea how she was going to pull this off, but one thing was clear: if she wanted