‘Read my name. You have 30 seconds…’

four months earlier. Vanessa sat beside Grant laughing while he said, “The tenants won’t fight back. They never do.”

Onscreen, Vanessa lifted a champagne flute.

“Then bill the city twice,” she replied casually. “By the time anyone notices, we’ll own half the block.”

The ballroom became silent enough to hear ice melting inside glasses.

Vanessa slowly turned continue reading …