Chapter 3 - Crestview Tower
Crestview Tower rose above downtown Minneapolis like a monument of dark glass.
When Sabrina entered the private boardroom on the forty-first floor, twelve people were waiting.
At the head of the table sat David Miller.
Her father.
He stood immediately.
The billionaire investor disappeared.
A father took his place.
“Sabrina.”
She crossed the room.
He saw her face.
Then the bruising visible near her shoulder.
His expression changed.
“Who did this?”
Sabrina looked at the attorneys.
“Dad.”
“Who?”
“Gavin.”
David's hands tightened.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Sabrina placed the silver pen on the table.
“I need you to listen before you do anything.”
She played the recording.
Gavin’s voice filled the room.
Threats.
The divorce ultimatum.
Charlotte’s comments.
The cold absence of remorse.
David listened without interrupting.
When the recording ended, Sabrina connected the footage from her hidden camera.
Mason appeared on the screen.
He began boasting.
One attorney immediately started taking notes.
Another leaned toward Crestview’s chief compliance officer.
By the time Mason mentioned adjusted financial statements, the atmosphere had completely changed.
This was no longer only a family crisis.
It was a corporate one.
David looked toward his general counsel.
“Can we suspend closing?”
“Yes.”
“How quickly?”
“Immediately, subject to the transaction documents.”
Sabrina spoke.
“I don’t want revenge disguised as business.”
Everyone looked at her.
“I want the investment reviewed on its merits. If SwiftFreight’s disclosures are accurate, then treat them fairly. If they lied, protect Crestview.”
David studied his daughter.
Even now, she refused to misuse power.
“Understood.”
The general counsel closed her folder.
“We initiate enhanced due diligence today.”
Sabrina nodded.
“And my divorce?”
“That is separate. We document the coercion and preserve every recording.”
For the first time since the previous evening, Sabrina felt she could breathe.
Then David asked the question she had feared.
“Why didn't you tell me sooner?”
Sabrina looked down.
“Because I wanted one thing in my life that wasn't connected to your money.”
David's expression softened.
“When Gavin met me, he thought I was a retired consultant. I asked you not to correct him.”
“I remember.”
“I wanted him to love me without knowing.”
“And did he?”
Sabrina looked toward the city.
“Maybe once.”
Her phone rang.
Gavin.
Everyone became silent.
Sabrina answered.
“Hello?”
“Sabrina, where are you?”
“Why?”
“Crestview postponed the closing meeting.”
Sabrina said nothing.
Gavin continued.
“They’re asking questions nobody was asking yesterday.”
“How would I know anything about that?”
Another pause.
“I need you back at the house.”
“No.”
“Sabrina—”
“You wanted me gone.”
His tone changed.
“Don't play games with me.”
She ended the call.
Across town, Gavin stared at his phone.
Charlotte sat inside his office.
Mason stood near the window.
“What did she say?” Mason asked.
“Nothing.”
Charlotte crossed her legs.
“Then it’s coincidence.”
Gavin looked at her.
“What?”
“The Crestview review. Sabrina has nothing to do with it.”
Mason nodded.
“She doesn’t know anyone at Crestview.”
Gavin wanted to believe them.
Then his assistant entered.
She looked pale.
“Mr. Pierce?”
“What?”
“Crestview has requested a complete reconciliation of the international holding-company transfers.”
Mason stopped breathing for a second.
Gavin noticed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Mason.”
“I said nothing.”
Gavin stared at him.
For the first time, a new possibility entered his mind.
May you like
Perhaps the woman he had underestimated was not the greatest danger in his life.
Perhaps the people standing beside him were.
