Rise of the Formidable Ex-wife (Lucia and Alex) novel Chapter 114

Chapter 114

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Lucia’s hands trembled as she stared at the company reports spread across her desk. The numbers swam before her eyes, but the anger burning in her chest was crystal clear. Marco Hart was still CEO of Hart Industries. Still sitting in his corner office like nothing had happened. Sull pretending he deserved to be there.

The phone on her desk buzzed. Her assistant’s voice came through the speaker, careful and professional.

“Mrs. Smith, the quarterly review meeting starts in ten sqinutes.”

“Cancel it.” Lucia said, her voice sharp as broken glass.

“Ma’am?”

“Cancel the meeting. Reschedule for tomorrow.”

“Should I give the board members a reason?”

Lucia closed her eyes, fighting to control the rage that threatened to spill over. “Tell them the chairperson needs time to review additional materials.”

The line went quiet. Then: “Yes, ma’am.”

Lucia hung up and pushed back from her desk. She walked to the floor–to–ceiling windows that overlooked the city, her reflection staring back at her like a ghost. She looked composed, professional, in control. But inside, she was screaming.

How was Marco still here? How had he managed to save himself when everyone wanted him gone?

She knew the answer, of course. He’d found some legal loophole/some technical requirement that protected him. The same way he’d protected himself from fraud charges. The same way he always found a way to escape consequences for his actions.

But this was different. This was her company now. Her responsibility. Her power.

And she was going to use it.

Lucia picked up her personal phone and dialed Alexander’s number. He answered on the first ring.

“Lucia? What’s wrong? You sound upset.”

“He’s still here, Alexander. Marco is still CEO. Still walking around this building like he owns the place.”

“I know. I heard about the board meeting. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know how much you wanted…”

“I don’t want him gone, Alexander. I need him gone.” Lucia’s voice cracked with the intensity of her emotions. “I can’t stand knowing he’s here. Can’t stand the thought of him in that office, making decisions about a company he’s already destroyed.”

Alexander was quiet for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice was gentle but determined. “What do you need me to

do?”

“I don’t know. Everything we’ve tried has failed. The media stories, the fraud investigation, the board vote. He just keeps finding ways to survive.”

“Then we need to try something different. Something he can’t wiggle out of.”

Lucia pressed her forehead against the cool glass of the window. “Like what?”

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Let me make some calls. There are other ways to pressure a company. Other people who can ask questions that demand

answers.

M

“What kind of people?“_

Alexander was quiet again, and Lucia could almost hear him thinking. “The kind that Marco can’t buy or intimidate. The kind that have more power than he does

After they hung up. Lucia tried to focus on work. She reviewed contracts, signed documents, attended phone conferences. But her mind kept drifting to Marco’s office just three hors above her. She could picture him sitting there, probably planning his next move, probably thinking he’d won.

The thought made her stomach burn with acid.

Two hours later, Alexander called back.

“I spoke with Senator Magnus,” he said without preamble.

“Who?”

“Thomas Magnus. He chairs the Senate committee on corporate oversight. He owes me several favors.”

Lucia felt a spark of something that might have been hope. “What kind of favors?”

“The expensive kind. Campaign contributions, support for his pet projects, introductions to the right people. He’s been very grateful for my help over the years.”

“And he’ll help us now?”

“He’s very interested in companies that have been the subject of fraud investigations. Especially companies with

government contracts.” Alexander’s voice took on a satisfied tone. “Hart Industries has three federal contracts worth over fifty million dollars.”

Lucia’s breath caught. “What does that mean?”

“It means Senator Magnus can request a full regulatory review of Hart Industries. Financial audits, compliance checks, examination of every contract and transaction. The kind of investigation that can tie up a company for months.”

“Can Marco fight it?”

“Not this kind of pressure. When the federal government decides to look closely at your business, you cooperate or you get shut down. There’s no legal loophole that protects you from congressional oversight.”

Lucia felt her heart rate increase. This was different from anything they’d tried before. This wasn’t media pressure or board politics. This was the full weight of the federal government.

“How long would it take?”

“Magnus can make the request tomorrow. The regulatory agencies will respond within a week. Marco will be dealing with federal investigators within ten days.”

“And then?”

Alexander’s voice grew cold. “Then Marco Hart will learn what it feels like to have his life torn apart by forces beyond his control. Just like he did to you.”

That evening, Lucia sat in Alexander’s study, watching him work the phone like a master conductor leading an orchestra. He

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Spoke in low, consident tones, calling in favors that had been years in the making.

“Senator Magnus? It’s Alexander Kane. I hope I’m not calling too late.”

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Lucia could hear the man’s voice through the speaker, warm and friendly. “Alexander! Never too late for you. What can I do for you?”

“I need a favor, Thomas. A big one.”

“Name it.”

“There’s a company called Hart Industries. They’ve been in the news recently for some questionable business practices. I think they might benefit from some federal oversight.”

There was a pause. “Hart Industries… yes, I’ve seen the stories. Fraud allegations, wasn’t it?”

“Among other things. They have several government contracts, and I’m concerned about how they’re managing taxpayer money.”

“I see And you’d like me to request a review?”

“I’d be very grateful. And I think the American people would be grateful too.”

Senator Magnus’s laugh was knowing. “Consider it done, Alexander. I’ll file the request first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you, Thomas. I won’t forget this.”

“I know you won’t. That’s I’m

help.”

After he hung up, Alexander turned to Lucia with a satisfied smile. “It’s done.”

Lucia felt a mix of relief and anticipation. “What happens now?”

“Now we wait. Within forty–eight hours, Hart Industries will receive notification that they’re under federal investigation. All financial records will be frozen for review. All major business decisions will require government approval.”

“Including personnel decisions?”

“Including personnel decisions. If the investigators find any irregularities, and they will, because no company is completely clean, they can recommend management changes.”

Lucia stood up and walked to the window. The city spread out below them, millions of lights twinkling in the darkness. Somewhere out there, Marco was probably sleeping peacefully, thinking he’d beaten them again.

“He won’t know what hit him,” she said quietly.

“That’s the idea.” Alexander joined her at the window, slipping his arm around her waist. “Are you having second thoughts?”

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