Chapter 9
Chapter 9: The Price of the Throne
By 3:00 p.m., the global financial markets were reeling.
News of Gabriel Escalante’s arrest in Switzerland and the complete liquidation of the Morrison Group dominated every headline. The stock of Escalante Global soared to an all-time high as the market realized the empire was now firmly, undeniably under the sole control of Mariana Escalante.
Inside the quiet, sun-drenched library of her late father’s private estate, Mariana sat behind a massive mahogany desk.
The brown leather purse—the one Margaret Morrison had called "cheap"—sat on the corner of the desk. Beside it lay the court order finalizing Andrew's imprisonment and the complete forfeiture of all Morrison family assets.
The Morrisons were destitute. Brenda had vanished the moment the federal agents arrived, and Margaret was currently staying in a state-run facility after being evicted from the mansion.
The door to the library opened softly.
Gabriel Escalante walked in.
He wasn't in handcuffs. He wore a crisp navy suit, carrying a glass of scotch in one hand.
Mariana didn't look surprised. She slowly set down her pen.
"Diplomatic immunity has its perks," Gabriel said with a smooth, bitter smile, taking a seat across from her. "The Swiss authorities released me two hours ago. Father always did leave behind enough political favors to clear a path."
"I knew they would," Mariana replied calmly. "I didn't send the marshals to keep you in a cell, Gabriel. I sent them to let you know that I can touch you anywhere on this planet whenever I choose."
Gabriel set his glass on the desk. The playful arrogance in his eyes was gone, replaced by a dark, dangerous respect.
"You sacrificed four years of your life," Gabriel said softly. "You let those pathetic nobodies abuse you, laugh at you, slap you... just to catch me off guard. You're more ruthless than our father ever was."
"They were a small price to pay for absolute certainty," Mariana said, her eyes cold as flint. "And now, you have nothing left in Escalante Global. Your accounts are frozen. Your allies are in prison. You are an exile, brother."
Gabriel leaned forward, his hands resting on the mahogany surface.
"An exile with nothing left to lose, Mariana," he whispered chillingly. "You won this round. You took my inheritance, you destroyed my network, and you crowned yourself queen. But running a billion-dollar empire requires light... and I operate entirely in the dark."
He stood up, buttoning his jacket.
May you like
"Enjoy the throne, sister. It gets very cold at the top."
He turned and walked out of the library, his footsteps echoing down the long, empty hallway until the heavy oak doors clicked shut.
