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

been one

to see those photos. She is not right for you. I'm only a call away. You must be devastated right

and lean back, tapping my nails against the

to for long. I know how his mind works,

Winona is fractured, well blown to a million pieces, I'd say... and when he's vulnerable, he's always more... receptive to

of my penthouse, and I step out. My driver opens the penthouse apartment

penthouse

he belongs. I need

No reply yet. Good. Let him stew, let him wonder what I

412 Playing Chess

twisting like

+25 BONUS

It's one of my personal aides, carrying a stack of documents. She bows her head slightly as she steps into the room,

the coffee table.

a dismissive hand. "Thank you," I say, barely sparing the reports a glance. The intricacies of the London scandal are important, of course, but not nearly as satisfying as watching the emotional turmoil I've set

need

"That will be all."

quietly, and I pick up a crystal glass, pouring myself a measure of brandy. Lance's involvement is an

all works so well, doesn't it? The more tangled this web becomes, the harder it will be

problem, but she's not my primary

for him, I'll have won. Then we'll go on to build the Brennan empire bigger and better, together. A future he can't even begin

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