CHAPTER 1 — PHASE ONE
The black Rolls-Royce moved through the city like a shadow.
Inside the rear seat, Isabella Montrose sat perfectly still, one hand resting against her burning cheek.
Her phone vibrated continuously.
Damian.
Evelyn.
Unknown numbers.
Board members.
Reporters who should not have known anything yet.
She ignored every call.
When the car reached Montrose Global Headquarters, the forty-eight-story tower was still fully illuminated despite the late hour. Attorneys, financial officers, and security specialists were already waiting inside the executive conference room.
Her father, Alexander Montrose, stood at the head of the table.
He looked older than she remembered.
Not weak.
Just tired in a way powerful men rarely allowed the world to see.
When Isabella entered, his eyes went immediately to the mark on her face.
“Who did that?”
“My husband.”
Alexander’s expression changed.
The room became silent.
Isabella placed her brown purse on the conference table.
“He struck me in front of his family, his mistress, and more than sixty guests. Then he ordered me to kneel and confess to stealing Evelyn’s necklace.”
Her father slowly removed his glasses.
“And Phase One?”
“Activated.”
Claire Bennett, Montrose Global’s chief legal counsel, turned her laptop toward Isabella.
“Every Cross family corporate account connected to Montrose Capital has been suspended pending review. Their credit facilities are locked. Four acquisitions have been paused, and the mansion’s operating account is frozen.”
“How long before Damian understands?”
Claire glanced at the screen.
“He already does.”
As if summoned by her words, Isabella’s phone lit up again.
This time, Damian left a voicemail.
She played it through the conference-room speakers.
“You think you can frighten me with a few frozen accounts?” he said. “Come home before sunrise, apologize to my mother, and maybe I’ll let you keep the Cross name.”
Alexander’s hand tightened around the back of his chair.
Isabella showed no reaction.
“Begin Phase Two.”
Before Claire could respond, Marcus Shaw, head of Montrose security, entered the room carrying a clear evidence bag.
His expression was unusually tense.
“Ms. Montrose, we inspected your purse before bringing it into the secure floor.”
He placed the bag on the table.
Inside it lay Evelyn’s missing emerald necklace.
No one spoke.
Isabella stared at the necklace.
“That was not in my purse when I left the mansion.”
Marcus nodded.
“We believe you.”
Claire looked toward the conference-room doors.
“But the police may not.”
At that exact moment, the elevator chimed outside.
Heavy footsteps approached.
Then a voice called from the hallway.
“Isabella Montrose? We have a warrant to search the premises.”
Isabella turned toward her father.
May you like
Someone had not simply framed her.
Someone had known exactly where she would go.
