Novels by Louis brown

"This is a declaration of war."Emily stared at the breaking news alert on her phone. Williams Global Holdings had just announced a major investment in TechCore Industries—Barnes Corporation's largest competitor. Fifty million dollars. The stock market was already reacting.Rachel stood in the doorway, pale. "Barnes’ stock is down eight points. The board is calling an emergency meeting.""When?" Emily's voice was hollow."In an hour."Emily closed her eyes. This was not a coincidence. Carl was making a move, and it was aimed directly at her.She had one hour before facing the board. One hour to figure out how to explain that her ex-boyfriend was systematically destroying her company because she had broken his heart.The board meeting was worse than Emily had anticipated. Ten faces stared at her across the table, expressions ranging from concerned to hostile."Explain the Williams situation," Gerald Preston demanded."There is no situation. Williams Global Holdings made a business deci

"You have exactly five minutes."Carl led Emily onto the Plaza's terrace, away from the gala's prying eyes. The night air was cold, but Emily barely felt it. Nate had tried to follow, but one look from Carl's security had stopped him at the door."How long have you known?" Emily's voice shook."Known what?" Carl leaned against the railing, his posture relaxed but his eyes cold."Don't play games with me. How long have you been Carl Williams, billionaire CEO? The entire time we were together?""Yes." No hesitation or apology.Emily felt the ground shift beneath her feet. "You lied to me for three years.""I never lied. You assumed I was struggling, and I let you believe it." Carl checked his watch. "Four minutes.""Why?" The word came out as a broken whisper. "Why would you do that?""Because I wanted to know if someone could love me for who I am, not what I'm worth." Carl's expression was unreadable. "Turns out, the answer was no.""That's not fair—""Isn't it? I gave you three years,

Chapter 5: Carl's World Revealed"You're playing with fire, Carl."Daniel dropped a folder on the conference table where Carl sat reviewing acquisition reports. "Am I?" Carl didn't look up."Investing in Barnes Corporation's competitor? That's personal, not business.""It's both." Carl finally met Daniel's eyes. "TechCore has strong fundamentals, innovative leadership, and room for growth. It's a smart investment.""It's also Emily's biggest threat." Daniel sat down. "You're not fooling me. This is about revenge.""This is about moving forward." Carl closed the folder. "Emily made her choice. I'm making mine."Before Daniel could respond, Carl's phone rang. "Mr. Williams, this is Kale Lucian from Lucian Industries."Carl straightened. Lucian Industries was one of the largest manufacturing conglomerates in North America. "Mr. Lucian. What can I do for you?""You can stop what you're doing." Lucian's voice was sharp. "I know you're planning a hostile takeover of my company. I'm callin

"You need to see this."Emily's assistant, Rachel, burst into her office without knocking, tablet in hand. It was seven AM, and Emily had not slept. She had spent the entire night reading about Carl Williams—the real Carl Williams."What now?" "Barnes Corporation stock dropped three points overnight." Rachel set the tablet on the desk. "Investors are nervous about the Q3 audit next week."Emily's stomach clenched. The contracts. The irregularities Carl had warned her about. She had spent hours trying to unravel them, but the more she dug, the worse it looked."How bad is it?""Bad enough that the board wants an emergency meeting this afternoon." Rachel hesitated. "Emily, what's going on? These vendor contracts, they're a mess. Some of these companies don't even seem to exist.""I know." Emily rubbed her temples. "I'm handling it.""Are you? Because it looks like someone's been embezzling from the company, and if that comes out during the audit—""I said I'm handling it!" Emily yelled

"To the future Mrs. Brooks!"Champagne glasses clinked around Emily as NewYork's elite toasted her engagement at the Plaza Hotel. The ballroom glittered with crystal chandeliers and designer gowns, everyone who mattered in the city packed into one room to witness the union of Barnes and Brooks.Emily forced a smile, her hand trapped in Nate's possessive grip."Thank you all for coming," Nate said, his voice carrying that effortless authority that came from generations of wealth and power. "Emily and I are thrilled to have your support as we begin this exciting new chapter."Exciting new chapter. It had been only two days since Carl walked out of her office, and Emily could not stop replaying that final look in his eyes."Smile, darling," Nate whispered in her ear. "You look like you're at a funeral."Emily's smile brightened automatically. She had perfected the art of performing over the past forty-eight hours. "Sorry. Just overwhelmed by everything.""Understandable." Nate kissed her

Three Years Ago."Another champagne, Mr. Williams?"Carl shook his head at the waiter, watching the crowd of New York's elite mill about the ballroom. The annual Metropolis Charity Gala was the same every year—expensive dresses, fake smiles, and people writing checks they would use as tax deductions."You look like you would rather be anywhere else," Daniel said, appearing at his elbow with two glasses of whiskey."Perceptive as always." Carl accepted one. "Remind me why I'm here?""Because Williams Global Holdings just donated five million dollars to childhood literacy programs, and you need to smile for the cameras." Daniel clinked their glasses together. "Think of it as the price of being obscenely wealthy."Carl scanned the room, recognizing faces he had known since prep school. Senators' daughters, hedge fund heirs, tech moguls' sons, all playing the same social games their parents had played. None of them saw him as Carl. They saw his last name, his company, his net worth."I'm