Chapter 6 THE GHOST IN THE BOARDROOM

Three days after Cassandra's fall, Elena should've been celebrating. But victory came with a whisper.

A warning.

A message left on her office desk. No one saw who placed it.

No name. No return address. Just two words written in bold black ink:

"You're next."

The Man She Hoped Was Gone

Liam Frost handed her a file that made her blood run cold.

"He's resurfaced," he said grimly.

Dante Vale.

Cassandra's older brother.

A shadow from Elena's early years in the fashion world. A silent investor with a violent past, exiled after laundering money through Elena's first brand and nearly getting her arrested.

He vanished when Cassandra rose.

Now, with Cassandra disgraced, Dante had returned - and according to Liam, he'd already bought up 17% of Blackwood Corp's remaining shares... and was circling Voss Enterprises.

"He wants control," Liam said. "Of what's left of Adrian. And what you've built."

Elena stared at Dante's photo. That same cruel smile. That same hungry look.

"He won't take anything from me," she whispered.

Adrian Gets a Visit

Adrian was spiraling. The Cassandra scandal had cost him three major board members and nearly tanked his stock.

So when Dante Vale walked into his office, calm and polished, offering "help," Adrian was too cornered to say no.

"Let me invest," Dante offered smoothly. "A silent partner. Just enough to stabilize the bleeding."

Adrian narrowed his eyes.

"And what do you want in return?"

Dante smiled, razor-sharp.

"Her."

Meanwhile – Elena's Trap is Set

Back in her tower, Elena stood in a white blouse and silk slacks, watching Liam pin up a web of names, photos, arrows - a war map.

She tapped her finger on Dante's face.

"He thinks he's a predator," she said. "But he's just a rat who got too confident."

Nora entered with a USB.

"We got footage. He's been meeting with Adrian behind closed doors."

Elena clenched her jaw. It wasn't betrayal that hurt.

It was how predictable Adrian had become.

"Set the meeting," she said. "Public. High profile."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "You're going to lure him out?"

"No," Elena said. "I'm going to expose him. And make sure this time... he never resurfaces again."

Final Scene – The Invitation

Dante received the invitation at midnight.

A gala hosted by Elena Voss.

Personal. Exclusive. One night only.

The envelope shimmered with gold foil.

Inside was a handwritten note:

"Come hungry, Dante. I'm serving revenge cold."

– Elena

And he smiled.

Because monsters don't fear fire.

But they always forget who lights the match.