Chapter 17
Kieran stood by the floor–to–ceiling windows, his fingers gripping a freshly delivered investigation report.[]
Rain was hammering against the glass outside, water streaks blurring the city lights into a blurry mess.[]
When he’d heard Yelena’s accusations in Paris, doubt had started eating at hirn. [
The first thing he’d done after getting back to New York was have his assistant dig up everything about Aurora since she’d left the country.]
“You’re absolutely certain this intel is solid?” His voice was low, carrying the weight of an approaching shitstorm.[]
His assistant stood rigidly beside him: “Triple–checked everything, sir. Aurora’s mother’s medical records are definitely forged. The doctor’s signature on that leukemia diagnosis… that physician doesn’t exist.“[]
Kieran’s knuckles went white as he crumpled the papers.]
…Keep going.”
“We also found that Aurora was sleeping around with multiple loaded guys overseas. This is her secret Instagram account–tons of luxury flex posts during the same time she claimed to be ‘broke as hell.“[]
Kieran took the tablet, staring at Aurora’s selfie wearing a diamond necklace with the caption: []
“Thanks for the gorgeous gift, babe! Love you! ?“]]
The timestamp was from the exact week he’d mortgaged his properties to pay for her mother’s “treatment.“[]
His eyes turned glacial: “Bring her here.“]]
Thirty minutes later, the office door swung open.]
“Kieran!” Aurora click–clacked in on her stilettos, her dress swishing. “Booty call this late? Did you miss me?“[]
Her smile died when she saw the scattered documents on his desk.
Kieran slowly turned, sliding a photograph toward her: “Know this guy?“]
In the photo, Aurora was curled up against some balding man in a Vegas casino.
“This… this is…” Her body started trembling as she lunged for his arm. “Kieran, let me explain! That’s my cousin’s business partner–he forced me to take a photo!”
“What about this one?” Kieran slapped down another photo–Aurora in a bikini on a yacht, surrounded by three men.
The date showed it was during her mother’s “medical crisis.“[]
Aurora’s already pale face went chalk–white.[]
“And this.” Kieran hit play on a voice recording, her sultry voice crystal clear.[]
“Kieran’s such an easy mark. I told him mom needed a bone marrow and he immediately agreed. I said I needed money and he just handed it over. Even that bullshit business proposal–he didn’t even read it before approving funding. Once I get that final payment, we’re off to the Maldives…“[]
“No! That’s not me!” Aurora suddenly screamed, tears streaming down her face. “Someone’s framing me! Kieran, you have to believe me…“[]
Kieran grabbed her chin violently, his eyes burning with rage:
“The medical reports were fake too? Your mother was never fucking sick!“]
“She… she…” Aurora’s gaze kept darting away, and seeing she was caught, she suddenly broke free from his grip. “Fine! Yeah, I played you! So fucking
what?”
Her tears instantly dried up as she twisted her lips into a mocking smile: []
“You think you’re hot shit? Cold as ice, like a goddamn robot. If you weren’t loaded, who’d want to waste time with your boring ass?“]]
Kieran’s eyes narrowed dangerously.[]
“I was always just after your money, from day fucking one. I planned to marry you originally, but you were so pathetic I had to make up some excuse to dump you and take a nice payday.“[]
“But it wasn’t enough to keep me satisfied, so I came back and snapped my fingers, and you came running like a good little dog. My friends were right–you really are my perfect ATM.“[]
“You’re fucking dead!”
“Ooh, scary!” Aurora taunted, moving closer and pulling a flash drive from her Hermès bag. “Don’t forget, I know plenty of Harper Industries‘ dirty secrets. Like that illegal fund transfer from last month…“[]
Kieran’s furious expression froze as he instinctively reached for the drive.[]
But Aurora calmly held it out to him.]
“Mr. Harper, I’m not stupid like you. I’ve been protecting myself this whole time. This is just one backup–guess how many copies I made and where I hid them?“]]
Thunder crashed outside, lightning illuminating the naked malice in her eyes.[]
“If anything happens to me, Harper Industries burns to the fucking ground with me!“]]
