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 for blunt

She is not right for you. I'm only a call

lean back, tapping my nails against the

is almost delicious. Jayden might ignore me at first, but he won't be able to for long. I know how his mind works, the vulnerabilities he

when he's vulnerable, he's always more... receptive to my influence. His

and I step out. My driver

it will be when Jayden finally sees things clearly. The penthouse is immaculate, every piece of furniture perfectly arranged, just like the life I've

enough-not without my son back where he belongs. I need

messages on 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 the

412 Playing Chess

mind, twisting

+25 BONUS

at the door, and I turn, raising an eyebrow. It's one of my personal aides, carrying a stack of documents. She bows her head slightly as she steps into the

the coffee table.

barely sparing the reports a glance. The intricacies of the London scandal are important, of course, but not nearly as satisfying

need anything

"That will be all."

pouring myself a measure of brandy. Lance's involvement is an unexpected turn, but not

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

I've always known what's best for him, I'll have won. Then we'll go on to

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