Chapter 5 - The Weight of Truth"You can't do this!" Conrad roared, lunging around the table toward me, his face twisted in a mask of pure fury. "I made you! You were nothing without me! I gave you a home, a name, a life!"
Before Conrad could take two steps, Luca was between us. The sheer physical presence of the shipping magnate stopped Conrad cold. Luca didn't raise his voice; he didn't even flinch. He simply stared down at Conrad with a contempt so profound it was physical.
"Take one more step toward her, Conrad, and you won't just lose your company," Luca said quietly, his voice carrying the chilling weight of absolute certainty. "You'll spend the next ten years explaining securities fraud to a federal grand jury."
Arthur Sterling stood up, smoothing his tie, his expression grim as he looked at Conrad. "Mr. King, effective immediately, the board is placing you on administrative leave pending a full financial and legal audit. Security, escort Mr. King from the building."
Two burly corporate security guards stepped forward, ignoring Conrad’s frantic protests and grasping him firmly by the elbows. As they dragged him toward the double doors, Conrad twisted his head back, his eyes locked onto mine with a venomous glare.
"You'll pay for this, Winifred! You're broken! You won't survive a week without me!"
The heavy doors closed, cutting off his screams, and the boardroom exhaled a collective breath.
Sterling turned to me, his expression softening into one of deep professional respect. "Mrs. Ellis—or should I say, Ms. Ellis. We were entirely unaware that Mr. King had misappropriated your work. King Developments values this project too much to lose it. We would like to discuss retaining you directly as lead architect and managing partner."
"Thank you, Mr. Sterling," I replied, my voice calm and controlled. "My legal counsel, Mr. Moretti's firm, will be in touch with our terms by this afternoon."
Ten minutes later, Luca and I walked out of the boardroom and down into the private elevator. As the doors slid shut, sealing us in the mirrored cabin, the sudden quiet hit me like a physical wave. The adrenaline that had sustained me through the confrontation drained away instantly, leaving my knees weak.
I swayed, catching myself against the mirrored wall.
Luca’s arm was around my waist in an instant, lifting me before my legs could give out completely. He pulled me gently against his chest, his hand resting securely against my back.
"You were magnificent," he whispered, his breath warm against my hair.
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"I feel like I'm going to throw up," I muttered honestly, closing my eyes as a fresh wave of morning sickness rolled through me.
"That," Luca said, a faint, tender smile breaking across his face, "is entirely understandable. Let's get you back to the apartment, and this time, we're calling a doctor who actually knows what she's doing."
