Edinburgh to NYC

The Edinburgh-NYC Gambit

"Emma! Wake up!" Elena’s voice cut through the room like a siren. "It’s eleven a.m. Are you serious right now?"

"Mm... go away," Emma groaned, burying her face deeper into her pillow.

"Emma, I’m not joking! Get up!"

Emma finally dragged herself out of bed, stumbling downstairs while rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She didn't even make it to the kitchen before collapsing onto the sofa.

"Emma, Emma, Emma... not again," Elena sighed, crossing her arms.

"I’m sleepy and I feel sick," Emma mumbled into a cushion.

"It doesn’t matter. Today is the day you start handling things at the office.You promised Uncle remember?" Elena’s voice softened slightly at the mention of her late uncle.

"I know," Emma whispered, her eyes finally snapping open.

A maid approached silently. "Ma'am, your coffee and the morning papers."

"Good morning, ladies," a sharp voice greeted them. Daniel stepped into the room, his suit perfectly pressed.

"Good morning, Dad," Elena said.

Daniel looked over at the sofa with a thin, fake smile. "It seems Emma is too busy with the headlines to greet her own uncle."

"No! I... I’m sorry. Good morning, Uncle" Emma sat up quickly, clutching the newspaper. Her eyes scanned the business section until they landed on a specific name. "Uncle, look at this. We’ve been looking for a powerhouse partner, right? I think I found him. Jayden Morgan. He’s the one."

Daniel let out a cold, sharp laugh that echoed in the foyer. "Emma, are you insane? Do you have any idea who that man is? He’s a tycoon. He doesn't play with small-time firms. Besides, years ago, his father rejected a deal from your father. The Morgans don't look back."

"But there’s no harm in trying, is there?" Emma asked, hope flaring in her eyes.

"Try?" Daniel sneered. "Emma, there is no 'trying' in business. You’re new to this. Sit down, stay quiet, and let me handle the real work. Understood?"

"Yes, Uncle," Emma said, looking down at her lap.

As soon as Daniel disappeared upstairs, Emma grabbed Elena’s arm. "Elena, I have to try. I’m going to NYC."

"Wait, what? Dad just said no!"

"I don't care what he said. You’re going to help me. You’re going to convince him to let us go on a 'vacation' to New York. Just the two of us."

Elena gave her a sarcastic, disbelieving look. "You want me to ask my father to let two girls go to the busiest city in the world, alone, for a vacation? Dream on, Emma."

"Elena, please... please, please, please!"

Elena groaned, throwing her hands up. "Fine! I’ll try. But if he says no, don't blame me."

"Thank you! I love you!" Emma cried, planting a quick kiss on Elena’s cheek.

---

9:00 PM – Zero Bond, NYC

The air inside the exclusive club was heavy with the scent of expensive cologne and vintage wine. Jayden Morgan sat in a dark corner booth, breathing heavily as the bass of the music thrummed in his chest.

"Pour me another," he commanded.

"Sir, are you alright?" the server asked, noticing the tension in Jayden's shoulders.

"I'm fine. Just pour," Jayden replied, his voice a low growl. He downed the glass of red wine in seconds, the liquid burning down his throat.

He didn't stay long. He walked out to the curb where his Porsche was waiting, the engine idling like a restless beast. Jayden pulled out into the night, the streets of Manhattan clearing for him as if by magic. Being a Morgan meant the world moved out of your way.

When he reached his mansion, the silence of the halls felt heavier than the music in the club. He stopped in front of a massive gold-framed portrait of his father.

"Do you miss me, Dad?" Jayden asked the painted eyes. Silence followed. "No. I didn't think so."

A bitter smile touched his lips. "Well... goodnight, Dad."

---

The Next Morning

"Dad, I wanted to ask you something," Elena said, catching Daniel at breakfast. "Emma and I were thinking... we really need a break. We want to visit New York."

Daniel paused, a sarcastic smirk playing on his lips. "New York? A nice dream."

"Please, Dad! Just a short tour. Maybe... fifteen days?"

"Fifteen days?" Daniel raised an eyebrow. "And what is the purpose of this sudden 'tour'?"

"We just haven't traveled in so long," Elena pleaded. "Just fifteen days."

Daniel went quiet, his mind calculating. "Fine. You can go on one condition: you carry your sidearms. For safety."

"Thank you, Dad!" Elena hugged him, relieved.

"Yes, yes. Go. I’ll stay here and handle some... important paperwork," Daniel said, his smirk turning into something much darker as they left the room.

"Yahoooooo! Yes, yes, yes! I cannot believe I actually convinced him, Emma!" Elena screamed with excitement, jumping up and down in their room.

"You were amazing, Elena!" Emma laughed, finally feeling like her plan was coming together. "We’re actually going to New York!"

"May I come in, daughters?" a smooth, polished voice asked from the doorway.

Nell Howard stepped into the room, looking effortlessly elegant. She was Elena’s mother, and she always seemed to know exactly what was happening in the house before anyone else did.

"Danny told me that my daughters are jetting off to the 'City That Never Sleeps,'" Nell said with a knowing smile.

"Oh! Yes, Mama!" Elena replied joyfully, still caught up in the thrill.

"And," Nell added, smoothing out her skirt, "he also said that I am to join the two of you."

The room went dead silent. Elena and Emma looked at each other, their smiles vanishing at the same time. "No! When did he say that?" they asked in unison.

"I’m sorry, darlings, but he was quite firm," Nell said, her tone light but final. "He said you cannot go if I don't go with you."

"No... this is insane! Dad is being totally unfair!" Elena paced the room, her annoyance flaring.

"No one is being insane, honey," Nell said, walking over to pat Elena’s cheek. "Everything is for your and Emma’s safety. New York can be a big, dangerous place for two young women. Now, come on, pack your bags! We’re going. And I promise," she added with a wink toward Emma, "I won't interfere in your 'vacation.' I plan to spend my time relaxing and catching up with my old friends in the city. You won't even know I’m there."

"Thanks," Emma said with a forced smile. Elena just groaned and threw a pillow at the bed. The "private" business trip had just become a family affair.

---

The Howard Law Offices

"The papers, Mr. Howard," the lawyer said, sliding a folder across the desk. "Legally, if Emma is alive, the company belongs to her. But if she... ceases to be... it all reverts to you."

Daniel leaned back, let out a loud, booming laugh that filled the office. "I know, I know. I’m just waiting for the right moment to execute my plan. Then, the Howard empire is finally mine."

"That’s a family matter, sir," the lawyer replied nervously. "I represent the law. Perhaps it's best we don't discuss the details of her 'absence' in front of me."

"Oh, don't worry, Mr. Lawyer," Daniel chuckled. "Just wait and watch."

---

JFK International Airport – NYC

"We're finally here, Elena!" Emma stepped out of the terminal, the crisp New York air hitting her face.

"I can't believe we actually made it," Elena laughed, though her eyes remained wary.

They checked into their hotel, freshened up, and headed straight to the Morgan building. They sat in the lobby for three hours, Elena’s frustration growing by the minute.

"Emma, we’ve been here forever," Elena hissed.

"I know, but we aren't leaving until I see him."

Finally, a man in a sharp suit approached them. "Miss Emma Howard? Sir will see you now."

"Thank you, George," Emma said, standing up.

They were led into a massive corner office. At the far end, a high-backed leather chair was turned toward the window, overlooking the city skyline.

"May I come in, sir?" Emma asked softly.

The chair slowly revolved. Jayden Morgan sat there, one eyebrow arched, his face a mask of cold professionalism. His eyes locked onto hers, and for a second, the air in the room felt thin.

"You must be Emma Howard," Jayden said, his voice deep and vibrating.

"I am," she replied, offering a steady smile.

Jayden stared at her for a long moment, as if trying to read her thoughts. "So, Miss Howard. What exactly is it that you want?"

"Sir—"

"Jayden," he interrupted. "Just Jayden."

Emma blinked, surprised. "Okay... Jayden. I’m here to talk business. I want you as a partner. I want your investment, and in return, I’m offering a fifty-fifty share of our operations. I want to build something that lasts."

Jayden leaned forward, his hands folded on the desk. "I’ve read your proposal. It’s bold. I’m interested, provided that fifty-fifty split is ironclad."

"It is," Emma promised.

"Then we have a deal," Jayden said, standing up. He extended his hand, and when Emma took it, a spark of something much more than business passed between them. "I look forward to our next meeting, Miss Howard."

Emma walked out of the cabin with her head high, her heart racing. The game had finally begun.