Julian Roth was a man who thrived under pressure.
Even as the walls closed in around him at the gala, as the cameras flashed and reporters hurled accusations, he refused to flinch.
He adjusted his tie, forced a smirk, and turned to the journalist who had questioned him.
"Emilio DeLuca?" Julian chuckled, shaking his head. "A desperate attempt to smear my reputation. That image is doctored."
"But the video—" another reporter started.
Julian cut them off. "My lawyers are already handling this. I'd advise anyone spreading misinformation to be prepared for consequences."
The threat was subtle, but effective.
Vivienne Langley, watching from a few feet away, knew exactly what he was doing. Buying time.
And time was all they needed.
She leaned in, whispering, "We have to move fast. If we let Moris control this narrative for too long, it'll stick."
Julian exhaled. "Then let's bury him first."
Back at Moris's Penthouse
Moris, Isabel, Sarah, and Leo watched Julian's public reaction on TV.
Sarah clicked her tongue. "He's good. He's flipping the script."
"Expected," Isabel muttered.
Moris leaned forward, eyes narrowed. "He's stalling. He's not scared yet."
Leo tapped at his tablet. "Give me a few hours. If he wants to play dirty, I'll make sure the real video hits every major outlet before the night is over."
Moris nodded. "Do it."
But just as Leo got to work, his phone buzzed with an alert.
He frowned.
Then cursed.
"What?" Isabel asked.
Leo turned the screen toward them.
A new headline had appeared.
"Scandal Deepens: Moris Sinclair Accused of Financial Fraud."
Moris stiffened.
Sarah swore under her breath. "Oh, hell."
Isabel grabbed her own phone and skimmed the article. "They're claiming you laundered money through offshore accounts."
Moris clenched his jaw. Julian had countered fast.
And worse—he had gone for Moris directly.
The Enemy's Strategy
Vivienne Langley smiled as she watched the news spread across social media.
"That should slow him down," she murmured.
Julian smirked. "I want him overwhelmed. Make sure his legal team is flooded with requests for statements. The more he scrambles, the more he looks guilty."
Vivienne nodded, already sending instructions to their people.
"One more thing," Julian added. "Call Senator Aldrich. Tell him we might need a favor soon."
Vivienne raised a brow. "You're bringing politics into this?"
Julian smirked. "I play to win."
The Meeting Before the Storm
Moris paced the room, furious.
"They're pushing me into a corner," he muttered.
Sarah leaned against the couch, arms crossed. "Then push back harder."
"We need to clear your name fast," Isabel said. "If you look weak now, Julian wins."
Moris's mind raced. The next move had to be bigger, smarter, decisive.
Then, his phone buzzed.
An unknown number.
He answered. "Who is this?"
A voice came through, smooth and familiar.
"Hello, Moris. Long time no see."
Moris's blood ran cold.
Vivienne Langley.
She chuckled. "You really thought you could win this game?"
Moris's grip tightened on the phone. "I'm just getting started."
Vivienne's voice dropped to a whisper. "So are we."
Click.
The line went dead.
Moris lowered the phone, his expression unreadable. Then, he turned to the others.
"Change of plans," he said.
"We go on the offensive. Now."