Chapter 5
Alexander Thorne.
The name alone sent a ripple of recognition through Jacqueline's mind.
He was the CEO of Thorne Industries,
a massive defense contractor with ties to the deepest parts of the government.
He was known to be ruthless,
brilliant,
and entirely untouchable.
"I have heard of you, Mr. Thorne,"
Jacqueline said smoothly,
taking his hand for a brief,
firm handshake.
"And I have heard of you, Miss Sinclair,"
Alexander replied,
his eyes scanning her face with intense interest.
"Your hostile takeover of Vance Corporation is the most entertaining thing I have seen all year."
Jacqueline accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter,
taking a delicate sip.
"I am glad my personal business provides you with entertainment,"
she said,
her tone dry.
Alexander chuckled,
stepping slightly closer,
entering her personal space in a way that felt deliberate.
"It is not just entertainment,
it is a masterpiece of strategy,"
he corrected her,
his voice dropping to a lower register.
"But you left a loose end,
and I am here to offer you a pair of scissors."
Jacqueline narrowed her eyes,
her business instincts instantly flaring up.
"What loose end,"
she asked,
glancing around to ensure no one was listening.
"Richard Vance is hiding a secondary ledger,"
Alexander revealed softly,
leaning in so only she could hear.
"He has been funneling company funds into a private account in the Cayman Islands for three years."
Jacqueline froze,
the implications of that information racing through her mind.
If Richard was embezzling from his own publicly traded company,
it was a federal crime.
It meant prison time,
not just bankruptcy.
"Why are you telling me this,"
she asked,
looking deeply into his gray eyes.
"What do you want, Mr. Thorne."
Alexander took her champagne glass,
setting it on a nearby table,
and offered her his arm.
"I want the military contracts that Vance currently holds,"
he stated plainly,
leading her toward the balcony.
"You destroy the company,
I pick up the government contracts,
we both win."
Jacqueline walked with him onto the cool,
stone balcony,
the night air rushing over her bare shoulders.
"You are a shark, Mr. Thorne,"
she observed,
feeling a strange,
thrilling connection to the man beside her.
"We are in the same ocean, Miss Sinclair,"
he replied,
turning to face her under the moonlight.
"And I prefer to swim with my own kind."
He reached into his jacket pocket,
pulling out a sleek,
black flash drive.
"Everything you need is on here,
the account numbers,
the transfer dates,
the forged signatures."
Jacqueline looked at the drive,
then up at his face.
"This is highly illegal intelligence,"
she noted,
a smirk playing on her lips.
"Only if you get caught,"
he whispered,
placing the drive into the palm of her hand,
his fingers brushing warmly against hers.
"Use it well, Jacqueline."
Before she could say another word,
the balcony doors opened,
and Julian Vance stepped out,
looking panicked and desperate.
He stopped dead in his tracks,
seeing Jacqueline standing dangerously close to Alexander Thorne.
Julian's face twisted with jealousy,
his hands balling into fists at his sides.
"Jackie,"
Julian spat,
glaring at Alexander.
"Who is this."
Alexander turned slowly,
looking at Julian as if he were an annoying insect buzzing in his ear.
"I am the man who is about to take everything you have left,"
Alexander said smoothly,
May you like
slipping his hands into his pockets.
"Good evening, Mr. Vance."
