Chapter 17 - The Proxy WarThe Diamond Charity Gala at the Waldorf Astoria was the social event of the season.
When Marcus and Khloe arrived, the red carpet flashed like a lightning storm. Khloe wore a breathtaking emerald-green gown with a plunging neckline, radiating absolute power and confidence. Marcus walked half a step behind her, a lethal shadow in a bespoke tuxedo, his hand resting possessively at the small of her back.
Inside the ballroom, the elite of New York parted like the Red Sea for them.
It didn't take long for the vulture to circle.
Julian Croft, a tall man with silver hair and a condescending smile, intercepted them near the champagne tower. He held a glass of Dom Pérignon, looking far too pleased with himself.
"Marcus! Good to see you," Julian greeted, deliberately ignoring Khloe. "I was hoping to run into you. I wanted to discuss Vanguard’s new resorts in Tokyo. I know Thorne Industries is looking for a hospitality partner in the region."
Marcus didn't take the hand Julian offered. Instead, he took a sip of his bourbon and looked at the older man with utter boredom. "I don't handle hospitality acquisitions, Julian. You’ll have to speak to my wife."
Julian let out a patronizing chuckle, finally turning to Khloe. "Right. The Sterling-Hayes project. Mrs. Thorne, it’s cute that you’re dabbling in international real estate, but Tokyo is a big boy’s game. Why don't you let Marcus and me handle the heavy lifting? Vanguard already secured the prime zoning permits this morning."
Khloe didn't blink. She didn't flush with anger. She simply smiled—a cold, terrifying smile that made Julian’s smirk falter.
"Did you secure them, Julian?" Khloe asked, her voice silky smooth. "Because my team received a call from the Tokyo zoning commission three hours ago. It turns out, Vanguard’s permits were revoked due to a sudden failure to pass international environmental compliance."
Julian went pale. "What? That's impossible. We passed those checks months ago!"
"You passed the local checks," Khloe corrected, taking a graceful sip of champagne. "But when Sterling-Hayes quietly purchased the environmental auditing firm that oversees the district last week, we noticed some... irregularities in your paperwork. So, I reported them."
Julian’s mouth opened and closed like a fish. He looked frantically at Marcus. "Marcus, are you going to let her do this? She just tanked a two-billion-dollar project!"
Marcus laughed. It was a dark, rumbling sound that sent shivers down the spines of everyone listening.
"Julian," Marcus said, stepping closer, his presence suffocating. "My wife doesn't ask for my permission to destroy her rivals. She just does it. And if you ever speak to her in that condescending tone again, losing the Tokyo permits will be the least of your problems."
Khloe handed her empty champagne flute to a passing waiter. "Vanguard's stock will crash by Monday morning, Julian. When you're ready to sell the company for parts, have your assistant call mine. Have a lovely evening."
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As Khloe walked away, leaving Julian completely frozen in horror, Marcus followed his wife, completely mesmerized. The entire ballroom had witnessed the execution. The Queen of New York had just claimed her throne.
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