My CEO 412

412 Playing Chess (Judy)

London's pulse beats with an energy I've always found exhilarating. I walk through the busy streets with a sense of ownership of life, bending chaos to my will, whether the people around me realize it or not. Life is mine, a chessboard on which I move my pieces, and today, I'm preparing to play one of my most significant moves.

The queen can move anywhere she wants.

Sliding into the back of my town car, I pull out my phone. The screen lights up with a string of updates from my contacts. Information from Gus's estate staff flows to me like clockwork.

A constant stream of intel I've worked hard to cultivate, weaving my influence so tightly into every corner of Jayden's world that nothing escapes me. Even the smallest whispers reach my ears.

Jayden, my brilliant but stubborn son, is back in London, and the ripples I set in motion turned into a tsunami. It's a beautiful thing, really, watching how easily people fracture when you know which strings to pull.

The fight. The accusations. Winona, that ever-present thorn in my side, is almost out of my life for good.

I chuckle, the sound cold and sharp, echoing in the confined space. Jayden's spiraling, and I'm right here, ready to catch him-or redirect him-when he inevitably comes looking for answers.

Because he will. He always does. The poor boy has never truly broken free, no matter how much he thinks

he has.

I tap out a message, pausing to make sure every word is perfect. Manipulation is a delicate craft, and I've

one for blunt

right for

and lean back, tapping my

able to for long. I know how his mind

vulnerable, he's always more...

driver opens the penthouse apartment building doors, and I sweep inside, my mind

things clearly. The penthouse is immaculate, every piece of furniture perfectly arranged, just like the life

my son back where he belongs. I need his

my phone. No reply yet. Good. Let him stew, let him wonder what I know. The art of waiting is something I've mastered. Let

412 Playing Chess

mind, twisting

+25 BONUS

carrying a stack of documents. She bows her head slightly as she steps into the room, her expression perfectly composed. "Madam, here are the financial reports you requested from Nexus London,"

the coffee table.

the reports a glance. The intricacies of the London scandal are important, of course, but not

need

"That will be all."

glass, pouring myself a measure of brandy. Lance's involvement is an unexpected

and trusted the most. It all works so well, doesn't it? The more tangled this web becomes, the harder it will be for Jayden to find his way

problem, but she's not

into my orbit, if he finally sees that I've always known what's best for him, I'll have won. Then we'll go on to build the Brennan empire

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