On the other side of Detroit, atop the Lloyd Industries skyscraper, an imposing figure stood against the panoramic glass revealing the city below. The woman wore an impeccable feminine suit, with tailored cuts that emphasized her authority. Her high heels echoed in the spacious, minimalist room. Hands resting in her pockets, her eyes observed the gray landscape of Detroit, partially covered by heavy clouds.
Her cell phone rang, interrupting her introspection. Calmly, she took the device from her pocket and brought it to her ear.
"Yes," she answered, her voice firm and disinterested, without checking the caller ID.
The response came from the other side of the line. "Miss, I did it. He accepted."
For a moment, she remained silent, her eyes still fixed on the city. "Did he ask for any changes to the contract?" she asked, her tone cold, while her fingers toyed with the watch on her wrist.
"No, miss. He just accepted."
A barely perceptible smile curved her lips. "Excellent. Things are exactly as they should be." Her voice held a contained satisfaction, but no trace of surprise, as if everything was going according to plan.
"Any other instructions?" the male voice asked.
"Just ensure he is prepared for tomorrow. I do not tolerate delays."
"Understood."
The woman hung up without waiting for a goodbye. Turning around, she walked to her desk, where a tablet rested on the glass surface. She unlocked it with a touch and swiped until she found the image of a young man, accompanied by details of his life and history.
"Louis Bennett..." she murmured to herself, analyzing every detail like a puzzle to be solved. "I hope you are as promising as your numbers suggest."
With a delicate movement, she turned off the tablet screen and returned her attention to the city below. Tomorrow would be a milestone.
"They say money doesn't buy happiness," she reflected, watching the bright city lights. "But only those without money believe that."
Lost in her thoughts, she was suddenly brought back to reality by the sound of the door opening. Her secretary entered, hurried but careful not to seem intrusive.
"Miss Victoria, your grandfather wishes to speak with you," she announced professionally.
Victoria narrowed her eyes for a moment, irritated by the interruption. She took a deep breath, adjusting her posture.
"Let him in," she said, already walking toward her desk, the firm sound of her heels echoing in the silent office.
"Yes, miss," the secretary said, bowing slightly before leaving.
Victoria sighed again, this time with a hint of frustration. She knew the conversation with her grandfather would not be friendly.
Seconds later, the door opened again, revealing a man with impeccably combed gray hair and a blue suit that looked custom-made. The rhythmic sound of his cane against the cold floor resonated through the office, almost as if marking the passage of a monarch entering his court.
His eyes fixed on Victoria. Calm at first, but with an underlying storm.
"Victoria," he said, his voice grave and controlled. "You know we need to talk about your... recent decisions."
Victoria crossed her arms, standing firm.
"And I know exactly what you are going to say. But this time, the decisions are mine, and mine alone."
The gaze between the two seemed to freeze the air in the room, a silent duel between generations carrying the same pride.
"Aren't you going to invite me to sit?" the man questioned, staring at Victoria with a mix of authority and impatience.
She sighed deeply and gestured to the chair in front of her.
The man sat down deliberately, resting both hands on the cane he held firmly between his knees. His gaze did not waver.
"What is this idea of marrying a nobody?" he said, his voice heavy with disapproval.
Victoria remained silent, averting her eyes to a corner of the impeccably polished floor.
"Aren't you going to answer me?" he insisted, his voice sharper. "Is this the education my son gave you?"
She remained quiet, jaw slightly tense. Her silence seemed to infuriate him even more, but at the same time, forced him to change his approach.
"Vic..." his tone was now softer, almost paternal. "I just want to understand why you are marrying a nobody. This boy has nothing. He is not from our world."
Victoria finally raised her eyes, meeting her grandfather's stern gaze.
"He has nothing, but he has what I need," she said, her tone calculated and cold.
The old man frowned, confused, but waited.
"This decision is not just about him. It's about me, about what I want to build. And I don't need anyone's approval for that."
The man tilted his head slightly, trying to decipher her.
"You are stubborn as always," he murmured, a mix of pride and exasperation in his voice. "But remember, stubbornness without purpose can be your ruin."
Victoria just arched an eyebrow.
"I know exactly what I am doing, Grandpa."
He let out a resigned sigh, stood up with difficulty, and adjusted his jacket.
"I just hope this doesn't end up destroying everything we built."
And with those words, he left the office, the sound of his cane fading away.
"It won't," she murmured to herself, already alone.
The day followed its course. Exhausted after an entire afternoon of meetings with European suppliers, Victoria left her office.
She took the elevator down the fifty floors in about thirty seconds, with the same cold precision that characterized her life.
Outside, under the city lights, her Bentley awaited. The man who had called her earlier stood beside the car.
"Miss," he said, bowing briefly before opening the door.
Victoria entered the car with the ease of someone accustomed to luxury. The man, Eduard, took the wheel.
"Eduard," Victoria called, her voice firm but distant. "How did it go?"
"Exactly as you planned, Miss," he replied professionally. "He hesitated, tried to refuse, but..."
"But?" Victoria questioned, looking at him.
"Are you sure this plan will work, Miss?" Eduard ventured, watching her through the rearview mirror.
Victoria took a few seconds before answering. Her eyes, cold and analytical, met his in the reflection.
"Why the doubt, Eduard?" she asked, her voice calm but laden with disdain. "Do you think I chose wrong?"
"No, Miss," he replied hurriedly. "I just worry about the risk of someone... inadequate failing your expectations."
She let out a slight laugh, dry and empty.
"Inadequate? He has the perfect profile. Young, intelligent, submissive enough to do what I say. The type of person who just wants to survive."
Eduard hesitated but decided to continue.
"And if he... tries to rebel?"
Victoria turned her head slowly, fixing him with a gaze that seemed to pierce his soul.
"There is no room for rebellion," she stated, her voice cutting. "People like Louis don't have the power to rebel. He knows that. And even if he tried, well... I always have a Plan B."
"Plan B?" Eduard echoed, confused.
"Of course." Victoria raised an eyebrow. "People who do not serve me have no use to the world. If he is not useful, he will be discarded."
Eduard felt a shiver run down his spine.
"You mean..."
"I mean trash must be removed, Eduard." Her voice was almost a whisper, but it carried the weight of a sentence.
Eduard cleared his throat, trying to disguise his discomfort.
"Does he know the importance of this?"
"He doesn't need to know everything." Victoria looked back out the window. "For him, it is enough to believe he is in control."
"And if he realizes?"
She smiled, but the smile held no warmth.
"Then it will be too late."
The silence took over the car for a few moments until Eduard broke it.
"Should I take any additional precautions?"
Victoria shrugged.
"Just make sure he understands how 'lucky' he is. People like him just need a push in the right direction." She turned her face again, staring at Eduard with an icy gaze. "And remember, Eduard: in my game, everyone is a piece. Including you."
Eduard nodded silently.
"Take me to my apartment, I don't want to stay at the main house today. My grandfather's presence at work was enough."
"Yes, Miss."
Eduard adjusted the route. Detroit was bustling, but a light fog covered part of the city, creating a dense, almost stifling atmosphere.
When they arrived at the building, Eduard was quick to open the door, but he was interrupted by Victoria's cold voice.
"No need, Eduard," she said, opening the door herself. Before stepping out, she shot him a firm look. "Make sure everything goes perfectly tomorrow."
"Yes, Miss."
"And, Eduard... do not disappoint me. No slip-ups, or it will be your last."
"Never, Miss," he guaranteed.
Without another word, Victoria closed the door and crossed the building's lobby with firm, elegant steps. Her presence was like a magnetic field, attracting admired and curious glances.
"Miss Victoria," greeted an elderly employee, bowing slightly. "Good evening."
"Good evening," she replied with a slight cordial smile, softening her expression momentarily. "How is the family, Mr. Rodrigues? I hope they are well."
"Everyone is well, Miss," the man said, moved by the attention. "I still don't know how to thank you for everything."
"I told you, no need," Victoria replied, resuming her controlled tone. "I did it because I wanted to, Mr. Rodrigues."
She continued walking toward the elevator.
Moments later, she was in her apartment. She walked calmly down the silent hallway, unlocking her door with a precise swipe of her card.
Victoria entered, locking the world outside. She went straight to the panoramic windows, pulling her phone from her pocket. In seconds, Louis's file was open, his face highlighted on the screen. The young man with black eyes stared back at her—innocent to the world, but to Victoria, just a piece on the board.
"You are going to help me take what is rightfully mine," she murmured, her voice filled with determination and a veiled threat. "Even if I have to break you into little pieces."
Her cold eyes remained fixed on the photo for a few more seconds before she locked the screen and turned away. The night promised to be long, but for Victoria, this was just another step on the meticulously planned path to conquer what she desired.