Dumping the Billionaire

Chapter 5: Storm Rising

Manhattan still blazed with light at 2 AM.

The ride home was wrapped in silence. Elizabeth James' text landed like a boulder, instantly shattering the warm atmosphere of Le Bernardin. Skylar's fingers unconsciously traced her phone screen as her mind replayed the evening's moments. The opera, the art gallery, dinner, and Alex's subtle hints.

"Text me when you're home." At her apartment building, Alex's voice remained gentle. "Tomorrow will be busy. Get some rest."

Skylar watched his car disappear into the night, feeling anything but sleepy. She opened her laptop, reviewing the materials she'd collected over the past few days. Target's financial data, R&D layout, market strategy—all the pieces seemed to point toward a truth she was reluctant to acknowledge.

Her phone vibrated again. A text from Rebecca: "Emergency meeting, 8 AM tomorrow. Best arrive early."

She had barely laid down when another message popped up: "I'm at Goldman Sachs. Marcus says Target's stock price might see significant fluctuations. Be prepared. —Alex"

Manhattan's deep autumn brought heavy clouds.

Skylar arrived at Sullivan & Cromwell an hour early. The building's glass walls reflected the leaden sky, as if forecasting the approaching storm. The lobby television broadcast financial news, with pre-market analysts already scenting blood in the water.

"Look at this." Rebecca tossed a morning paper on her desk. The front page featured Brandon Carter's photo with the shocking headline: "Starlight Capital Proposes $65 Billion Acquisition of Target, 30% Premium."

"Fifteen billion higher than our offer," Rebecca's voice was unusually grave. "All cash. Brandon's going all in."

Skylar quickly scanned the report. Brandon hadn't just offered a stunning price—he'd promised to retain Target's existing management and R&D teams. These terms almost perfectly matched all of Target's board's requirements.

"Any idea where Brandon got that much cash?" Rebecca gave her a meaningful look. "All of Wall Street is speculating. Some say Middle Eastern sovereign funds, others suggest Silicon Valley tech giants backing him. But something doesn't feel right."

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and Alex rushed in with the entire Mountain Bridge team. His Tom Ford suit remained impeccable, but his eyes flashed with a sharpness Skylar had never seen. James Wilson and several senior VPs followed closely, each wearing equally grave expressions.

"Target's stock opened down 20%." James Wilson spoke first. "The market thinks we're out. Morgan Stanley and Goldman analysts are all lowering Target's target price."

"That's not all." Marcus Williams strode into the conference room. Alex's former Goldman colleague rarely showed anxiety, but now seemed unsettled. "Rumors say Target falsified their R&D data. Someone anonymously reported to the SEC that they severely inflated their rare disease research investment figures."

The conference room fell silent.

"I knew someone would play this card." Alex gave a cold laugh, fingers lightly tapping the conference table. "Let me guess, next they'll leak news that we started approaching Target last year?"

Skylar's heart jumped. This matched her concerns from analyzing the data these past few days. But why release this information now?

"Catherine's handling it." Alex continued. His voice remained steady, but Skylar could sense the underlying pressure. "She's contacted several major media outlets to temporarily suppress these stories. But market panic has already spread."

"We need to convene the board immediately." James Wilson said. "The question now is whether to raise our bid or withdraw. But if we raise it, the Board will certainly question our judgment. Sixty-five billion isn't a small number."

"The question is where Brandon got all that cash." Marcus frowned. "I know several sovereign fund heads—they all deny involvement. And given Brandon's past investment style, he wouldn't stake this much on one bet."

"So there must be other forces at play." Rebecca mused. "But whoever it is, releasing fraud allegations now means they're well-prepared. Alex, are you certain Target is worth this price?"

Just then, Rebecca's assistant rushed in: "Elizabeth James is here, asking to see Miss Lawrence."

All eyes turned to Skylar. Alex's expression instantly became inscrutable.

Elizabeth James' sudden visit was clearly no coincidence. Target's Chief Legal Officer wore a crisp Dior suit, her elegant demeanor masking unmistakable force.

"I'd like to speak with Miss Lawrence privately." She got straight to the point.

Alex glanced at Skylar, his eyes carrying some kind of warning. But Skylar was beyond interpreting subtle hints now.

Elizabeth James took her directly to the rooftop café. From here, they could overlook Manhattan's entire financial district, now shrouded in threatening clouds. Below, Wall Street was beginning to boil as Target's stock continued to fall.

"I hear Alex's opera evening was pleasant?" Elizabeth's opening took Skylar by surprise.

"Ms. James, I don't think you're here to discuss that." Skylar forced herself to stay calm.

"Smart girl." Elizabeth showed an approving smile. "Do you know why I chose to seek you out now? Because in the entire acquisition team, only you spotted that crucial point."

"You mean the R&D investment anomaly?"

"Not just that." Elizabeth stirred her coffee gently. "You must be wondering how Brandon could secure sixty-five billion in cash so quickly. And why he chose to strike last night, right when you were dining with Alex."

Skylar felt a chill creep up her spine. She suddenly realized she might have fallen into an elaborately designed trap. And this trap was far more complex than she'd imagined.

"You're special, Skylar." Elizabeth's voice suddenly softened. "Not just for your professional capabilities. Do you know why Alex wanted you to report directly to him? Why he chose this crucial moment to take you to the opera?"

Just then, her phone erupted with notifications. An urgent message from James Wilson: "Major development. Brandon Carter just released an internal document proving Target and Mountain Bridge began secret contacts last year. If true, this involves insider trading. SEC has sent an inquiry."

Rebecca's call came next. But before Skylar could answer, Elizabeth had already risen gracefully.

"Looks like your time to choose is running short." She said meaningfully. "But before you decide, perhaps you should ask yourself what game Alex Brooks is really playing."

Skylar's hands trembled slightly. When she left the elevator, she found the entire office in chaos. Television screens scrolled with breaking news: "SEC Investigates Target Acquisition, Mountain Bridge Stock Plummets."

Even more shocking, Catherine Mitchell had somehow materialized in the conference room. Alex's mother sat there, fixing Skylar with a piercing gaze. That look seemed to say: See what trouble you've brought my son.

"Skylar."

Alex's voice came from behind. She turned to find him standing by the window, backlit by Manhattan's increasingly dark sky. His voice remained calm, as if everything was under control.

"Trust me," he said.

But Skylar no longer knew what to trust. Elizabeth James' words, Catherine's scrutinizing gaze, and that suddenly leaked internal document all warned her: behind this seemingly simple acquisition battle, there might lurk a massive conspiracy she couldn't begin to comprehend.

And she seemed to be becoming the most crucial pawn in this conspiracy.

"Alex," she took a deep breath, "tell me the truth. Did you know all this would happen?"

Just as Alex prepared to speak, Brandon Carter's figure suddenly appeared in the office doorway. His face wore a smile of assured victory: "Perhaps I should be the one to answer that question."