Bride of Revenge

Chapter 5: The First Victory

Damon Valerius failed to respond to Eliza’s ultimatum within the day she demanded. Instead he replied in twenty-three hours. His reply was not one of capitulation. A precise and deliberate decision. He realized she had trapped him regarding the Foundation for the Arts. The danger, to his standing and political power was far too significant to ignore.

His agreement was not delivered via telephone. It appeared as a legal contract transmitted directly to the Stellar Group’s recently established secure servers in Veridia City. He consented to all terms. The prompt sale of a ten percent share in his infrastructure branch, at a valuation discounted by thirty percent. The assignment of the board position formerly occupied by Marcus Thorne to Eliza Sterling.

The arrangement drained more from him than he cared to acknowledge. It was straightforward and defensive. It preserved the Foundation. Allowed Damon space to plan a more powerful retaliatory strike. What he failed to realize was that, for Eliza the pact was not the endpoint. It served as the gateway unlocking the stronghold.

---

Eliza got the documents as she stood on the observation deck of her flagship tower. A quiet contentment filled her chest. She refrained from celebrating. Rather she conducted a composed video conference, with Mr. Chen.

“The primary goal is achieved, Miss Sterling " Mr. Chen remarked while examining the documents. "We are now shareholders in the key division of Valerius Capital. Your place, on the board is guaranteed. Marcus Thorne has been stripped of his significant role and the press is already covering his collapse.”

“Perfect " Eliza remarked as she examined the chart displayed on her screen. "The percentage isn’t the triumph Mr. Chen. The true success lies in gaining access. Holding that board position allows me to initiate audits scrutinize trends and most crucially compel a fresh investigation into the initial event.”

She was aware that Marcus would respond with alarm. Disorder would. She intended to leverage it to accelerate her plan.

“Initiate the audit of every Valerius Capital transaction associated with the Thorne Family accounts covering the three months preceding Mr. Valerius’s accident " Eliza instructed. "Begin with the wire transfers. Marcus is avaricious not clever.”

Regarding Damon she anticipated that his forthcoming action would aim at dominating her.

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Damon’s reply was swift and fierce, in the arena. Unable to confront Stellar Group’s financials head-on he targeted Eliza’s character instead.

Veridia City headlines screamed allegations. Valerius Capital Extorted by Former Spouse. CEO Sterling Involved in Controversy.

The articles depicted Eliza as an ex-partner who leveraged insider information to compel Damon into selling at a reduced price. Their intent was to undermine her reputation, among investors and government authorities.

“They are attempting to label you as a gold-digger who altered her approach " Mr. Chen said worriedly.

Eliza browsed the articles with indifference. "He relies on the portrayal of the desperate woman he abandoned. Unable to refute the deal he targets the motive, behind it.”

However Damon had misjudged her more. She had anticipated this strike.

She directed Mr. Chen to distribute a chosen set of documents to reputable financial reporters excluding the tabloid media. These records disclosed the safeguarding choices Grandfather Valerius had undertaken long ago to preserve family wealth. They demonstrated that the arranged marriage was a form of protection than a quest, for influence.

Significantly the archive revealed the enormous settlement she had declined.

The response was immediate and intense. Headlines shifted from blame to praise. The word blackmail vanished from the press’s language. She was now seen as a leader championing the truth. Damon’s defamation effort fell apart. Became a significant public victory, for Eliza.

---

Marcus Thorne, frightened by the loss of his board position and anxious, about the audit took a desperate action.

He disclosed a report, to a minor news organization alleging that Stellar Group’s initial funding was illicitly sourced via secret offshore routes. His aim was to block all assets managed by the company.

Eliza discovered this leak during a charity gala the kind Sloane Ashford typically controlled. She moved to a corner and assessed the impact. Although the leak was crudely constructed it was sufficiently risky to warrant an inquiry.

She remained composed. She reached out to Mr. Chen. Requested the publication of a full independently audited report of Stellar Group’s financials. It confirmed the company’s authenticity, beyond question.

She then included a lethal piece of information. The audit’s metadata held the time and place of the illicit leak. It pinpointed Marcus Thorne’s office, within the Valerius Capital headquarters.

She went back, into the ballroom. Sloane Ashford came up to her immediately with a smile that appeared both charming and deadly.

“Oh Eliza " Sloane murmured with worry. "What a dreadful rumor. They claim regulators are keeping an eye on you now. It’s unfortunate you turned down Damon’s offer. Superior lawyers could have kept you safe.”

Eliza returned her look, with serenity. She made no effort to clarify.

“Thank you for your concern, Sloane " she replied with decisiveness. "However your data is outdated." She hesitated briefly. "The audit confirming Stellar Group’s authenticity was published thirty minutes ago. The metadata identifying the origin of the leak has already been handed over to the financial crime investigators.”

Sloane’s grin vanished from her expression.

Eliza moved nearer speaking to Sloane. "Inform Damon that I am ready for his lawyers in court. Let Marcus know he needs to get ready, for jail.”

She. Left, leaving Sloane standing still and ashen.

Eliza had established her base acquired her initial stakes in Valerius Capital dismantled Damon’s defamation effort and caught the individual responsible, for ruining her family. This marked her significant triumph, a definite proof of her power and cleverness.

She stepped outside the gala into the cool night air. A dangerous calm filled her. Damon and Sloane had worked against her. Now she would use every piece of their plan against them. She was ahead, and the game had become far more dangerous.