Albert didn't shout.
He didn't throw things.
He made calls.
First to suppliers—suggesting that partnering with Studio Arden might jeopardize future deals with his conglomerate.
Then to Michael's board—offering new funding, quietly, with “conditions."
Behind the scenes, he seeded rumors: Sylvia was an opportunist, a homewrecker, a professional mistress.
Abuse was rebranded as affair. Coercion, as scandal.
The story twisted.
But Sylvia didn't blink.
Not this time.
---
“Vendor B just pulled out," Michael said, dropping a folder on her desk.
Sylvia flipped it open. “They didn't even give a reason."
“They didn't have to."
Her eyes narrowed. “Albert?"
Michael nodded. “He's turning the screws."
“Let him."
Michael looked at her. “This could delay everything."
“Then we diversify s
