Howard let out a dry, raspy chuckle. It broke the heavy silence hanging in the humid air of the greenhouse.
"You survived a terrible crash, Miss Blanchard," Howard said, his eyes calculating. "They say surviving a brush with death brings great fortune."
Altagracia reached up and casually tucked a stray curl behind her ear. Her movements were slow, deliberate.
"It certainly brings clarity, Mr. Travis," she replied, her lips curving into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. She let her gaze slide back to Julian, landing heavily on his face. "You see things... much more clearly."
Julian's jaw ticked. He hated the way she was looking at him. Like he was something unpleasant she had scraped off her shoe.
He took a step forward, trying to use his height to intimidate her. "Clarity? Is that what you call it? I thought wrapping a sports car around a tree was just another one of your reckless stunts."
Altagracia didn't step back. She held her ground, her posture relaxed.
"Street racing is dangerous, yes," she said softly. "But at least the rules of the road are transparent. Unlike some people's business practices. Those tend to happen in the dark."
Julian's eyes darkened. The subtle jab at his hostile takeover of Vance Group hit its mark perfectly.
"Watch your mouth," Julian snapped, his voice dropping to a low, threatening register.
Altagracia just let out a soft, breathy laugh. She tilted her head, looking at him with mock pity.
"I was just reading the news, Julian," she said, dropping the formal title to show her lack of respect. "I hear the PR department at Travis Tech is working overtime. It must be so exhausting, dealing with the sudden, tragic death of your ex-girlfriend."
Julian's pupils dilated. The mention of April's death made his muscles lock up.
"That has nothing to do with you," he spat out. "Keep your nose out of my business, Altagracia."
She shrugged, the cashmere shawl slipping slightly off one shoulder. "Just expressing my condolences. Though..."
She paused, letting the silence stretch until it became unbearable.
"Though what?" Julian demanded.
Altagracia leaned in slightly. She lowered her voice, making sure only Julian and Howard could hear her over the hum of the hospital ventilation.
"Well," Altagracia said, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "When I was racing on the other side of town that night, a friend of mine from the street circuit was hanging around that area. He shot me a gossip text, saying he thought he saw your pretty little secretary's car parked very close to the intersection where your ex-girlfriend had her... accident. You know how people in my circle love to talk."
It was a lie. A beautiful, untraceable lie built on the coincidence that both crashes happened on the same stormy night.
Julian's face went completely pale.
He knew Kristie hated April. He knew Kristie was ambitious and ruthless. Had she taken matters into her own hands? Had she left a trail that could lead the police straight to Travis Tech?
Doubt, thick and poisonous, instantly flooded his mind.
Altagracia watched the panic set in behind his eyes. Her stomach fluttered with a dark, satisfying thrill.
She straightened up, pulling her shawl back into place. She looked down at them both with the haughty elegance of a queen dismissing her subjects.
"Anyway, I must get back to my room. It's time for my medication," she said breezily. She gave Howard a polite nod. "Good day, gentlemen."
She turned on her heel and walked away. The sharp click of her slippers echoed down the corridor, steady and unhurried.
Julian stood frozen, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.
"Julian," Howard barked, his voice sharp like a whip. "Find out exactly where that secretary of yours was three nights ago. If she left a mess, you will clean it up."
"Yes, Grandfather," Julian gritted out, pulling his phone from his pocket.
Altagracia reached the door of her VIP suite. She pushed it open, stepped inside, and closed it firmly behind her.
Alone in the quiet room, she finally let the cold smile break across her face.
