Chapter 3: The Woman Who Wanted Everything
Serena Montigue had always believed she was untouchable.
That belief came from experience.
People forgave beautiful women.
They excused wealthy women.
They protected powerful women.
And Serena was all three.
She sat inside a private lawyer’s office the next morning, drinking coffee as if her entire world had not collapsed overnight.
“You need to leave Chicago,” her attorney said.
Serena looked offended.
“Excuse me?””
“You were caught on audio.””
“Audio can be manipulated.””
“The security footage?””
“Also manipulated.””
The attorney sighed.
“Serena.””
She leaned forward.
“Do you know who Victor Blackwood is?””
“Yes.””
“No. You know his reputation.””
Her eyes narrowed.
“I know enough.””
“You don’t.””
The attorney pushed a file toward her.
“He has destroyed companies over smaller betrayals.””
Serena looked at the folder.
Then smiled.
“Victor loves his son.””
“Yes.””
“That’s why I win.””
The attorney frowned.
“What?””
Serena stood.
“Men like Victor think they’re protecting their children.””
She adjusted her coat.
“They never realize they’re protecting the person who knows exactly where to hurt them.””
Meanwhile, Victor was uncovering Serena’s past.
And every discovery made him colder.
She had appeared in his life two years earlier.
Perfect timing.
Perfect personality.
Perfect story.
A woman who claimed she wanted nothing from him.
But investigators found something else.
“She researched you for six months before meeting you,” Marco said.
Victor looked at the documents.
“Six months?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Marco hesitated.
“She knew about Ethan.””
Victor looked up.
“What do you mean?””
“She searched medical records connected to your family foundation.””
The room became silent.
Victor remembered the day he met Serena.
She had approached him at a charity event.
She had looked at Ethan.
And said:
“He’s lucky to have a father who loves him.””
At the time, Victor thought it was kind.
Now it sounded planned.
That evening, Victor visited Lily.
She was packing a small bag.
“You’re leaving?””
She looked surprised.
“I thought I was fired.””
Victor stared.
“Who told you that?””
“Serena.””
A bitter laugh escaped him.
“She doesn’t have authority anymore.””
Lily looked down.
“I should have protected him better.””
Victor stepped closer.
“No.””
She looked up.
“You protected him when nobody else did.””
A tear slipped down her cheek.
“I was scared.””
“So was I.””
The admission shocked her.
Victor Blackwood admitting fear felt impossible.
But he continued.
“I built a fortress.””
He looked toward the window.
“And somehow I let danger walk through the front door.””
Before Lily could answer, Marco rushed in.
“Sir.””
Victor turned.
“What happened?””
Marco held up a phone.
“We found the owner of the unknown number.””
“Who?””
Marco’s face was serious.
“It was Serena’s former assistant.””
Victor waited.
“She wants to meet.””
“When?””
“Tonight.””
Victor looked at Lily.
Then back at Marco.
“Where?””
Marco handed him the address.
Victor read it.
His expression changed.
Because the address was not random.
It belonged to a place Victor knew.
A place connected to his own family.
May you like
And beneath the address was a message.
*Ask her why she disappeared after Ethan was born.*
