BLACK LEDGER

6

Thin cigar smoke filled the penthouse as Sydney stood by the balcony, watching the rain lash against the windowpanes. Behind her, Kellan sat on the sofa, though his body betrayed no sense of calm. His eyes repeatedly flicked toward the black phone, which displayed the silhouettes of two people in the living room of his home.

"You've crossed the line, Sebastian," Sydney’s voice broke the silence. "Sabotaging Dwayne’s construction project is one thing. But asking to 'bring in' Gina now? That’s suicide."

Kellan stood up, his stride heavy and fueled by suppressed rage. "Dwayne is starting to play father there, Sydney! I saw him ruffling Leo’s hair. I saw him holding Gina’s hand while she cried. You think I can just sit here and wait for two years?"

"Our deal was two years to build your power!" Sydney turned, her eyes flashing sharply. "If you take Gina now, how exactly would you do it? Kidnap her? Or show up on her doorstep and say, 'Hi, I’m not dead, sorry for nearly driving you mad with grief'?"

Kellan went silent for a moment, his jaw tightening. "I won't appear as Kellan Draik. I’ll appear as Sebastian Crowe."

Sydney gave a hollow laugh. "And then what? You want to buy your wife? You think Gina is a property you can acquire like Pier Seven?"

"Not buy," Kellan interrupted, his voice low and raspy. "I’m going to pull her company under the umbrella of Ares Capital. I’ll make her my primary business partner. That way, I have a legal reason to be near her every day. I can slowly pull her away from Dwayne without her ever realizing who I actually am."

Sydney walked closer, studying Kellan as if assessing his sanity. "That’s high risk. Gina isn't stupid. She’ll recognize the voice, the gestures, or even the way you look at her."

"I’ll wear glasses, I’ll change the way I speak, I’ll become the coldest man she’s ever met," Kellan pressed, taking a step toward Sydney. "Give me the access to present that partnership contract. McKenn Logistics needs funding, and the bank just rejected Dwayne. This is the perfect moment."

Sydney narrowed her eyes. She swirled her whiskey glass, seemingly weighing the options. "If you do this, and she recognizes you prematurely... our plan is ruined. Paulo will know you’re alive. And I won't hesitate to eliminate both of you to protect my organization."

"I know the stakes," Kellan answered without hesitation.

"Fine," Sydney finally gave a slow nod. "I’ll arrange a business meeting between Ares Capital and McKenn Logistics. But there is an additional condition. You are not to meet her alone. Vane must always be by your side to ensure you don’t lose control when you see her tears."

Kellan clenched his fist. "Agreed."

---

The following day, Kellan stood before the mirror, wearing glasses with thin silver frames and slightly tinted lenses. He practiced modulating his voice—making it deeper, more authoritative, and devoid of emotion.

"Mr. Crowe, the car is ready," Vane’s voice crackled through the intercom.

The journey to the McKenn Logistics office felt like a march toward the most dangerous battlefield Kellan had ever faced. As the car entered the near-empty parking lot, Kellan saw the logistics trucks sitting idle. The sight pierced his heart. He knew how hard Gina had worked to sustain all of this.

Inside the lobby, the smell of cheap coffee and old paper greeted him. Kellan walked with an arrogant stride, his leather shoes clicking loudly on the ceramic floor.

"Mr. Sebastian Crowe to see Mrs. Gina McKenn," Vane told the secretary at the front.

The secretary looked nervous in the presence of a man with such a dominant aura. "Please, go right in, sir. Mrs. Gina is waiting in the boardroom."

The boardroom door opened. Kellan saw Gina standing by the table, holding several files with hands that trembled slightly. Beside her, Dwayne stood with a weary face, yet still trying to look protective.

Kellan’s heart felt as if it had stopped beating. Seeing Gina from three meters away was far more painful than seeing her through a phone screen. He desperately wanted to run to her, hold her, and breathe in the scent of her hair.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Crowe," Gina’s voice was faint, yet she strove to remain professional. She looked at Kellan, but her view was obscured by his dark lenses.

Kellan didn't answer immediately. He pulled out a chair, sat down with a very stiff motion, and placed a black folder on the table.

"I don't like wasting time, Mrs. McKenn," Kellan said in his completely altered voice. Cold and untouchable. "Your company is on the brink of collapse, and your friend here doesn't seem to have the funds to help you anymore."

Dwayne looked offended. "Look, Mr. Crowe, I’m working on additional funding—"

"Dwayne, be quiet," Gina cut him off softly. She looked at Kellan with an intense gaze, as if searching for something familiar behind the persona of Sebastian Crowe. "What is it you want, Mr. Crowe?"

Kellan looked into Gina’s eyes—the eyes that used to look at him with love, now filled only with fear and desperation.

"I am offering an exclusive partnership. Ares Capital will inject ten times the amount Dwayne Philips offered. In exchange, McKenn Logistics will become the sole distributor for all my assets in this country," Kellan paused, trying to hold back his emotions. "But there is one condition."

Gina frowned. "What is it?"

"As of today, you are not permitted to accept financial assistance or business advice from any third party. Including Mr. Philips here."

Dwayne stood up immediately. "This is outrageous! You're trying to separate us?"

Kellan gave a sharp glare that silenced Dwayne. "I’m not speaking to you, Mr. Philips. I’m speaking to the owner of the company."

Kellan looked back at Gina. In his heart, he was screaming, Choose me, Gina. Kick him out now.

Gina looked at Dwayne, then back at Kellan. There was confusion in her eyes, an instinct that seemed to be rebelling. She felt that the man in front of her was a complete stranger, yet there was something that made her feel... safe, in a strange way.

"I need time to think about it," Gina said quietly.

"You have twelve hours," Kellan said as he stood up. He didn't want to linger there before his defenses crumbled.

As Kellan walked toward the door, he happened to pass Dwayne. Kellan stopped for a second, his shoulder brushing Dwayne’s, and he whispered something only the man could hear.

"The chess match has begun, Dwayne. Make sure you don't lose your queen."

Kellan walked out without looking back, leaving Gina stunned and Dwayne trembling with rage. Inside the car, Kellan immediately took off his glasses and leaned his head back. Cold sweat poured down his forehead.

"You did well, Sebastian," Vane murmured.

"I hate it, Vane," Kellan whispered. "I hate myself for having to be cruel to her."

Yet, beneath the pain, Kellan knew one thing: the bait had been taken. Gina would choose the contract, and with that, he had brought her one step closer to his arms—and one step further from Dwayne.