Joe’s POV
“Sir, we’ve lost another thirty percent since market open.” My CFO’s ice trembled through the phone. “Someone’s aggressively buying our shares. Nearly a third of Watson Group has changed hands in the last hour alone.”
I didn’t need to ask who was behind it. There was only one person with this kind of financial firepower and precision. Brandon Stark. This was about Anna.
‘Call an emergency board meeting,” I ordered, already loosening my tie. “And get my car ready. I’m going to Stark Tower.”
The boardroom was chaos when I stopped by–panicked executives shouting over each other as our stock continued its free fall. I cut through the noise with a raised hand.
“I know who’s behind this, and I’m going to fix it.”
‘Who, Joe?” Our senior director demanded.
“Brandon Stark,” I replied, watching their faces pale collectively. The name alone was enough to silence the room.
No one tried to stop me as I headed for the door. They knew as well as I did–when Brandon Stark decided to destroy you, your options became very limited, very quickly.
The gleaming lobby of Stark Tower felt like entering a different world. I was escorted immediately to the executive floor–a small mercy I hadn’t expected.
James Wilson, Brandon’s right–hand man, met me outside the conference room. “Mr. Stark is finishing a meeting. He’ll be with you shortly.”
Through the glass, I watched Brandon at the head of the table, commanding the room without raising his voice, I’d admired him once, before he became my executioner.
My phone vibrated with another catastrophic update: “Stock down 42% now. Creditors calling in loans. What do we do???”
I‘ switched it to silent just as Brandon emerged.
James hurried to catch up with his boss.
“Mr. Watson,” Brandon addressed me. “Follow me.”
The private meeting room offered a panoramic view of Manhattan- reminder of just how far we could fall.
“Mr. Stark,” I began immediately, skipping pleasantries. “I understand you’re behind the attack on Watson Group.”
He didn’t deny it. “It seems your sister hasn’t told you the full story.
“I’m here to make amends for whatever Anna did,” I said, fighting to keep desperation from my voice.
“Your sister is close with Victoria Taylor?” The question seemed casual, but nothing with Brandon Stark ever was.
“Anna’s social circle is quite extensive,” I replied carefully. “I’ve heard her mention Victoria, but I generally don’t involve myself in her friendships.”
1/3
Chapter 126
“Then as her brother, you’ve been negligent, Brandon’s eyes narrowed. “Some people are worth knowing. Others should be avoided at all costs. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
The threat wasn’t even thinly veiled.
“Completely,” I answered quickly.
“Mr. Watson, I dislike wasting words. I’m willing to spare Watson Group and even overlook what your sister did. But I have one condition.”
My pulse quickened. “Name it.”
“It’s quite simple,” he replied. “Your sister needs to help me with something one day.”
“What would that be?” I echoed, genuinely confused.
Brandon exchanged a look with James and left, regarding me with cold calculation.
“Perhaps you’re unaware,” James began, sliding a folder across the table. “Your sister arranged for someone to teach Summer Taylor
a lesson. However, someone else introduced a venomous snake into the situation.”
My blood ran cold as I scanned the documents–surveillance photos, medical reports, statements.
“Avenomous snake, Mr. Watson,” James continued softly. “If found too late, we’d be discussing a fatality. And your sister would be facing very different consequences.”
“Whatever Mr. Stark wants, I’ll do it,” I said, abandoning pretense. “Just tell me what he needs.”
“If I may ask,” I ventured carefully, “what is Summer Taylor’s relationship to Mr. Stark?”
James’s smile turned glacial. “Mr. Watson, there are things you need to know, and things you should pretend not to know even if you do. I suggest you determine which category this falls into.”
Message received. “Understood.”
Outside the Stark Group, my father called. “Son, the buying spree just stopped. Whatever you did in there, it worked. Come home immediately.”
I dialed Anna’s number on the way.
“Hello?” Her voice sounded small.
“Anna, I need you to come home,” I said evenly, despite my simmering anger.
“How is the company?” she asked.
“Watson Group is secure for now,” I replied. “Now come home,
“But Summer–that bitch ruined everything!” she began petulantly.
Enough!” I snapped. “You’re still blaming Summer? I’ve seen the evidence. You’re a grown woman–start acting like one.”
“But Joe-
“We’ll discuss this at home,” I ended the call.
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Chapter 126
Mother was fussing over Anna when I arrived. “My poor baby. That awful Brandon Stark
“Mom, 1 interrupted, “this isn’t Brandon Stark’s fault. It’s Anna’s.”
“Joe! Mother looked scandalized.
Father entered, his expression grim. “Margaret, enough. If Joe hadn leveraged that old promise from Brandon, Watson Group would be finished.”
He turned to Anna. “Antagonizing Brandon Stark? Have you lost your mind?”
“Daddy, I didn’t- Anna began tearfully.
“You want to know why Brandon came after you?” I pulled out James’s file. “Take a look at your so–called friend Victoria. See what kind of person you’ve been defending.”
Anna stared at the documents. “What is this?”
“Evidence,” I replied coldly. “You said you were just ‘teaching Summer a lesson,‘ but why? What did she ever do to you? These reports show a pattern–you harassing Summer, with Victoria always benefiting.”
Anna’s hands trembled as she looked at the file.
“This…this can’t be right,” she whispered. “Victoria is my best friend…”
“I’m warning you,” I continued, “stay away from Victoria and Sophie. And Summer? Leave her alone. You still don’t understand why Brandon Stark got involved, do you?”
Anna’s head snapped up. “You mean Summer’s fucking Brandon Stark?”
“Shut up!” I roared, genuinely frightened by her recklessness. “Whatever her relationship with Brandon might be, it’s not for us to discuss–unless you want Watson Group destroyed. Do you understand me?”
Anna nodded mutely, for once rendered completely speechless.
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