Chapter 4 - The Empress of the Frozen North
Six months passed.
The wind howled against my penthouse office, but I did not feel it.
I wore a suit of charcoal wool.
My hair was a sharp, perfect knot.
Gabriel knocked twice.
"The board is ready, Ms. Vale."
I stood up.
I looked at my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling glass.
The girl in the snow was gone.
The woman in the reflection was a ghost of steel.
I walked down the hall.
The boardroom was filled with men who had spent their lives believing they were the kings of the industry.
They stood as I entered.
I didn't acknowledge them.
I sat at the head of the table.
I opened the documents.
"Gentlemen," I said.
My voice was soft.
It carried the weight of a judge.
"Let’s begin."
The meeting was a dissection.
I took apart their logic piece by piece.
I showed them the weaknesses in their own portfolios.
I watched them realize they were standing on shifting sand.
When it was over, they left in silence.
I remained alone.
I took out my private phone.
I dialed the facility where Victor was held.
I didn't speak.
I only listened to his desperate, jagged breathing on the other end.
He didn't know I was there.
He didn't know I was listening.
I waited until he started to beg.
Then, I ended the call.
I walked to the window and looked out at the city lights.
My grandfather entered the room.
He stood behind me, his cane resting on the floor.
"You have done well," he said.
I looked at my hands.
They didn't tremble.
"I haven't even started," I said.
The city lay beneath me like an map of conquered territory.
May you like
The winter was finally over.
And I was the only one who remained standing.
