MARIECLAIE.

Xavier's Range Rover stopped directly in front of Blackwood Tech’s entrance. A swarm of paparazzi waited outside, their cameras flashing even before the doors opened. I took a deep breath and moved to open the door, but Xavier caught my wrist.

When I turned to him, he shook his head.

"The bodyguard will get it," he said.

As if on cue, the door was opened from outside. We stepped down together, and I almost reeled from the bright lights. It wasn’t my first time in front of the paparazzi, but back then, I had been little. Now, I was older, and they had a million more reasons to care.

"So what do we do now?" I whispered through my teeth, making sure my lips barely moved.

"We make them believe," Xavier murmured, turning slightly toward me.

Then, he leaned down.

My heart leaped at the thought that he might kiss me, but instead, he whispered in my ear, "Your ride and new bodyguard will come over later."

Then, he pulled away and pressed a kiss to my cheek. The paparazzi swooned, their questions blending into a frenzy of noise.

"Xavier! Is the marriage real?"

"Marieclaie! Is Blackwood Tech merging with Morello Tech Empire?"

"Is it true you signed a prenup?"

I ignored them. Xavier climbed back into the car, but he didn’t drive off until my bodyguard ensured I was safely inside the building.

"Good morning, Mrs. Marieclaie Morello," the employees greeted as I walked in.

I barely reacted. It was no secret now—my marriage with Xavier Morello had spread far and wide, reaching the ears of everyone who needed to know.

I nodded curtly as I passed them, waving them back to their work as I stepped into the elevator.

When the doors slid open on my floor, Peppe was already waiting.

Peppe had been my father’s right-hand man, the closest person to him in both business and life. After my parents' deaths, he had taken over the company while I grieved, keeping things running as smoothly as possible.

He was also one of the few who believed, like I did, that the Morellos had a hand in my father’s murder.

Peppe’s sharp eyes flicked to the bodyguard behind me, then back to me. I gave him a curt nod before we walked into my office—my father’s old office.

The familiarity of it hit me like a wave. The polished mahogany desk. The towering bookshelves. The same scent of old paper and cologne that always reminded me of my father.

I turned to the bodyguard. "You'll have to wait outside. Wouldn’t it be better?"

"As you wish, madam." He bowed and stepped out, shutting the door behind him.

With a sigh, I lowered myself into the leather chair and looked up at Peppe.

"Let’s get to work."

Peppe wasted no time. He pulled out a tablet, swiping through several reports before handing it to me.

"We’ve been keeping an eye on Morello Enterprises, just as you instructed," he said.

I skimmed through the documents, nodding. "And?"

"Your husband has a major investment coming up. He’s been discreet about it, but we managed to get intel. A technology merger—worth billions. If it goes through, it’ll put him in an even stronger position in the industry."

I leaned back, absorbing the information.

"And if it doesn’t go through?"

Peppe’s lips curled into a slow smile. "Then he suffers a major financial hit. Not enough to break him, but enough to rattle his confidence and shake his investors."

Perfect.

I set the tablet down and folded my hands on the desk. "I want it gone."

Peppe didn’t blink. "I already have a plan. We’ll send an anonymous tip to the media—fabricate a scandal around the investment. If we hit the right nerves, investors will start pulling out before they even sign the contracts."

"Do it."

Peppe gave a firm nod, already pulling out his phone. I watched as he made the call, speaking in hushed tones. It was done in minutes.

"It’s in motion," he said, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

I exhaled, a slow smirk forming. This was only the beginning.

---

By the time it reached afternoon, the news was already catching fire.

"BREAKING NEWS: RUMORS SURROUND XAVIER MORELLO’S UPCOMING INVESTMENT—INSIDER SOURCES CLAIM IT’S IN TROUBLE."

I turned off my phone.

A knock sounded at my office door.

"Come in," I called.

Beth strolled in, her usual mischievous smirk in place. She tossed her purse onto my couch before plopping down beside it, beside me.

"So," she drawled, "is it you?"

I didn’t hesitate. "It was me."

Beth chuckled, shaking her head. "Damn, girl. You don’t waste time."

I leaned back in the couch, arms crossed. "I’m not here to play, Beth. He’s not just going to suffer. He’s going to pay with blood."

Her grin widened. "Now that is the Marieclaie I know."

I reached for the glass of water on my desk, taking a slow sip. "This is only the first step. There’s more to come."

Beth propped her legs onto the coffee table. "You’re really going for the kill, huh?"

I met her gaze, my expression unreadable. "They killed my family. I’m just returning the favor."

The room fell silent for a beat. Beth studied me carefully before nodding in approval. "Well, whatever you need, I’m in. Just say the word."

A faint smile ghosted my lips. "Good. Because this is only the beginning."

And I didn't think it would be ending soon.