Bullet in the Heart

n her father's study. The room took on an uncanny stillness as the afternoon light faded and the shadows lengthened.

lex realm of corporate warfare for years. Her influence was undeniable; she was always there, whispering in his ear

ith cautions and deceptive tactics, each memo and letter felt heavier than the last. During Elias Carrington's downfa

ng penmanship. "Elias, you will fail because you put your faith in Michae

Vivienne's words dripped with venom, a calculated at

mumbled to herself, her voice ba

ide, their grins warm and genuine. The closeness between them was evident, yet it di

urned to see Bernard striding into the room, his presence

his voice quiet but tinged with ala

can't stop, Bernard. There's somet

g the documents scattered around

She was active in more than just Zane's family company. She wa

he inspected the picture.

this?" She motioned toward the memos and letters. Bernard, she has been pulling strings since the b

his face tightened. "Beca

at? What could she possibly stand t

sure. However, she can play this lo

ning to line up, but the parts still didn't fit. Vivienne played a sig

was framed by the Las Vegas evening skyline, the city's vivid lights a sharp contrast to the tempest that was building inside of hi

. She exuded effortless beauty as her sleek black dress caressed her form. As he

oice smooth as silk. "To w

across the room until he was only a few feet away from her. His shar

ut quiet as he stated

and arched her nicely formed brow.

I've been going through some old files. Letters, mementos

gentle, but she slightly tig

name came up more than once." "Aren't you the one g

rse." "Zane, I was attempting to keep him safe. Your father

ved closer and as

vienne's face briefly flashed with uncertainty for the first

pened to your father," she said, laughing softly. I was his

eemed to push him farther

ienne's mask of composure as her eyes narrowe

ane stated, "I'm doub

ou of all people ought to understand that allegiance isn't always cle

reiterated in a d

equences of your father's failure for you. And now, Zane, look where you are. You'

to truths he wasn't ready to face. He stepped bac

fight with his ideas. "Be careful, Zane," she warned softly. "The past has a way o

he didn't reply. Vivienne's composed exterior faltered as he left the room

far from ov

truggled to control her breathing, Aurora stood in the hallway with her back against the chilly marble wall. Her strategy had been straightforward

versation that she wasn't supposed to h

Vivienne's sharp, commandin

in her chest. Careful not to m

ed, male, and had a slight accent that she couldn't identify. "Carrington's resources

s she processed the wo

d. "Everything we've planned and everything I've

ed. What were they talk

y shaky. It will come apart with a slight prod. It wil

or. "You underestimate him. Zane's no

ngton sent a shudder down her spine. Her pulse roa

tone, "And you're not as lo

is overrated." But authority

been at the heart of her life with Zane his strategic moves, his

he man said, "How

ath caught a

ngton is nothing. A pawn. Although she hasn't no

cold. They were c

ddition to influencing Zane, Vivienne was engaged in a much more ambitious s

arrington?" t

aste his energy seeking revenge and fight the wrong battles, as he usually

her palms. The weight of Vivienne's words was crushing,

calm, Vivienne added, "I'll handle Carrin

ensing

her stew." She is too sentimental to pose a seri

d she felt so helpless and insignificant. However, he

derestimated by

take Aurora wouldn