She clicked the link. The photo showed Julian and Serena in a high-end jeweler. Serena was holding up a hand, admiring a massive sapphire ring.
Elara knew that ring. It was the Sterling matriarch's ring. The one Julian's mother had promised to Elara on her deathbed.
"For the woman who finally tames my son," she had said.
Elara threw the phone across the room. It bounced off the cushion and hit the floor.
Leo walked in, holding a juice box. He picked up the phone. He looked at the photo.
"That's an ugly ring," he said flatly.
"It's a family heirloom," Elara choked out.
Leo zoomed in on the photo. "Her finger is too fat for it."
Elara let out a wet, hysterical laugh. She pulled Leo into a hug, burying her face in his small shoulder.
"I need to make a call," she said, wiping her face.
She dialed Adrian.
"I need a lawyer," she said when he picked up. "Serena is framing me."
"I'm on my way," Adrian said. No questions asked.
Thirty minutes later, Adrian's Bentley pulled up downstairs. Elara grabbed her coat.
As she walked out of the building, a black sedan blocked the driveway.
Julian got out. He looked exhausted. He was holding a small velvet box in his hand-the ring box. He had come to explain. He had come to tell her that Serena had just tried it on, that he had taken it back.
But then he saw Adrian.
Adrian was holding the car door open for Elara. He placed a hand on the small of her back-a protective, intimate gesture.
Julian stopped. His hand closed over the velvet box, crushing it.
He saw the way Elara leaned into Adrian. He saw the trust.
Jealousy, hot and toxic, flooded his veins.
He didn't approach them. He got back in his car.
"Call legal," he told his assistant over the phone. "Freeze the operational assets for Nebula's R&D department. Cut off the funding for the project Elara Vance is leading."
"Sir? That will halt development."
"Do it. If she wants to play games with Kensington, let's see how she likes being locked out of her own creation."
Elara's phone buzzed as she got into Adrian's car.
Alert: Administrative Access Revoked. Project 'Starlight' Suspended.
She stared at the message. She looked out the window and saw Julian's car speeding away.
"He didn't just fire me," she whispered. "He killed the project. He's destroying everything I built, Adrian."
Back in the apartment, Leo was alone. He sat at his computer.
"Target: Serena Pembrooke," he muttered.
He began to type. Fast.
---
