<h4>Chapter 296: Chapter 296 The Enemy Retreats</h4>


    I’d been sitting on the Marchands’ number for three days before I finally picked up the phone. My palms were damp, my heart racing as if I was about to jump off a cliff.


    Yvaine would probably call it reckless. Ashton would call it unnecessary. But I knew it was the next move.


    Fran?oise Marchand answered. Her voice was warm at first, polite, until I mentioned Lea Lopez. Then it froze.


    ‘Why are you calling me about her?’ she said, sharp as a de.


    ‘I need to tell you something,’ I said. ‘And I think you’ve suspected it for some time.’


    Silence. Then, cautiously, ‘Go on.’


    ‘I know what Lea did to Pierre. She made up the abuse ims. There was never any violence. She pushed the divorce through with lies because she wanted out, she wanted to be with Ashton, and Pierre was in the way.’


    I could hear Fran?oise’s breath catch. A faint sound, almost like a muffled sob, but then anger hardened it. ‘We always thought it was strange. Pierre never raised a hand to her. He adored her, that was the tragedy. And she ruined him.’


    Another voice broke in. Antone Marchand had clearly taken the phone. His tone was thunder. ‘Do you have proof?’


    ‘Not in the way a court might want,’ I admitted. ‘But I know people who can back me up. Lea’s old allies, men who saw the games she yed, the maniption, the way she used people. And I know she’s been using the same tactics here in Skyline. She’s threatening city officials. She’s trying to take Ashton’spany piece by piece.’ And im Ashton as the trophy.


    There was a long silence on the line. Then Antone said, very low, ‘Tell me what you want from us.’


    ‘I don’t want money, I don’t want favours,’ I said quickly. ‘I want Lea out of Skyline. You still have influence in Europe. If you put pressure on her businesses there, if you make noise, she’ll have to go back. She can’t fight on two fronts.’


    Fran?oise’s voice came back, stronger now, almost gleeful. ‘Oh, we can do more than make noise. She has enemies. She thinks she buried them, but they’lle crawling out once they smell blood. And if she thinks she can keep bleeding us with lies, she’s mistaken.’


    ‘We’ll see to it,’ Antone added. ‘In fact, we’ve already started before your call.’


    When I hung up, I was shaking, but not with fear. With relief. It was the first real strike back.


    Four dayster, the ripple reached Skyline. Whispers at first, then louder, then exploding across business circles. Titanova’s European arm was suddenly facingwsuits in Paris. A supply partner in Mn cut ties. Banks started ‘reviewing’ credit lines.


    By the end of the week, Lea’s name was mud in every financial paper worth printing.


    And then the bombshell: Lea Lopez was spotted at Skyline International Airport, boarding a flight to Eindhoven.


    I almost didn’t believe it until I saw the photos.


    I called Haldane straight away. He answered on the second ring, his tone clipped, wary. ‘Miss Vance. This isn’t a good time.’


    ‘It’s the perfect time,’ I said. ‘Lea’s gone. She’s on her way back to Europe. You don’t have to carry water for her anymore.’


    Silence. Then a tired sigh.


    ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he muttered.


    ‘Yes, you do,’ I said. ‘She threatened you. She had dirt on you. I’m not here to judge, but I am telling you, her grip is broken. You don’t owe her anything anymore. She won’t be back in Skyline for some time. Withdraw the moratorium. Do it before it destroys the whole city’s economy.’


    There was a scrape, like he’d pushed his chair back. He lowered his voice, as if someone might overhear. ‘You don’t understand the mess I’m in.’


    ‘I do,’ I said firmly. ‘I know about thend deals, remember? The shellpanies. Even the affair you thought nobody noticed. You think Lea’s the only one who can expose you? She’s not. But I’m not here to ruin you. I’m here to give you a way out.’


    Another heavy silence. Then he said, hoarse, ‘She promised she’d bury me.’


    ‘She can’t bury you from Eindhoven if you act fast,’ I said. ‘You have a chance to walk away. Withdraw the moratorium. Retire early. Disappear with your pension and some dignity intact. That’s your best option. Take it.’


    He exhaled, long and ragged.


    ‘I’ll do it,’ he said atst. ‘I’ll call a press briefing tomorrow. And then I’m done. I’ll be gone before the week’s out.’


    I hung up, sat back, and pressed both hands to my face.


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