Chapter 2 - BREAKFAST IN THE PENTHOUSE
Ryan woke at 6:12 the next morning.
For several seconds, he forgot Charlotte had ever entered the hotel.
Sunlight spilled across the Royal Penthouse.
Sabrina was asleep beside him beneath Egyptian cotton sheets.
An empty bottle of champagne rested in an ice bucket.
Room service dishes covered the dining table.
Ryan smiled.
Then his phone vibrated.
One email.
MANDATORY EXECUTIVE REVIEW.
7:00 A.M.
MONARCH GRAND EXECUTIVE BOARDROOM.
Attendance required.
Ryan frowned.
He checked the sender.
Bennett Global Corporate Office.
His stomach tightened slightly.
Sabrina opened one eye.
“Problem?”
“Probably some audit meeting.”
She stretched lazily.
“You’re an executive.”
“Make them wait.”
Ryan laughed.
“That’s not how corporate boards work.”
Sabrina sat up.
“Then remind them how valuable you are.”
Ryan looked at her.
That sentence always worked on him.
For years, Charlotte had told him to be careful.
To save money.
To think long-term.
Sabrina told him he deserved more.
More money.
More power.
More recognition.
More luxury.
Ryan preferred Sabrina’s version.
He dressed quickly.
Before leaving, he tried to purchase something through the hotel app.
His corporate card declined.
He tried again.
Declined.
“That’s strange.”
Sabrina walked toward him wearing a silk robe.
“Use another card.”
Ryan tried his personal platinum card.
Declined.
His face changed.
“What the hell?”
Then his phone buzzed again.
Corporate purchasing privileges temporarily suspended pending review.
Ryan’s pulse quickened.
Sabrina read the notification over his shoulder.
“Is this about Charlotte?”
Ryan scoffed.
“Charlotte doesn’t have the authority.”
Sabrina stared at him.
“You’re sure?”
Ryan almost laughed.
“My wife barely understands how my corporate division works.”
“She grows tomatoes, Sabrina.”
“She shops at discount stores.”
“She thinks a vacation means renting a cabin near a lake.”
He kissed her forehead.
“Whatever happened downstairs last night was embarrassing.”
“But it means nothing.”
He stepped into the private elevator.
The doors closed.
Sabrina remained behind.
For the first time since meeting Ryan, she looked uneasy.
She crossed the penthouse and picked up her phone.
She opened a hidden messaging application.
One unread message waited.
It came from a contact saved only as V.
DO NOT LET RYAN TALK.
Sabrina stared at the screen.
May you like
Then another message appeared.
IF CHARLOTTE KNOWS ABOUT MONROE STRATEGIC, WE HAVE A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM.
