Chapter 7
Judge Sterling's chambers smelled of old leather and pipe tobacco.
He sat behind his massive oak desk, reading the documents Aria had given him. The "Black Box." A hard drive containing every dirty email, every illicit transfer, every bribe Jordan had ever made. Aria's first life had taught her exactly where to look for it, and Kane had acquired it overnight.
Sterling looked up. His bushy eyebrows were knitted together.
"This is... extensive," he said.
Aria rolled up her sleeve. She showed him the fresh bruise from the dialysis port.
"They're killing me, Arthur," Aria said. "Literally."
Sterling's face turned purple with rage. He slammed his hand on the desk.
"Not on my watch," he growled.
He grabbed his pen. He signed the Temporary Restraining Order. He signed the injunction freezing Jordan's voting rights. He signed the order removing Chloe from the premises of Hubbard-Daniels.
"Take this," he said, handing the papers to the bailiff. "Serve it immediately."
He looked at Kane, who was standing by the door, silent as a statue.
Sterling squinted. "Do I know you, son? You look familiar. Washington?"
Kane's expression didn't change. "I'm just a driver, Your Honor."
Sterling held his gaze for a long moment. "Right. Just a driver."
They left the courthouse.
Thirty minutes later, they walked into the Hubbard-Daniels conference room.
Chloe was sitting at the head of the table. Aria's seat. She was laughing at something on her phone.
The US Marshals walked in behind Aria.
Aria threw the court order onto the table. It slid across the polished wood and hit Chloe's hand.
"Read it," Aria said.
Chloe picked it up. She scanned the first page. Her face crumpled.
"This is illegal!" she shrieked. "You can't do this!"
"It's a federal order," the Marshal said. "Ma'am, you need to vacate the premises. Now."
"No!" Chloe stood up. "I'm the CEO!"
"You're trespassing," Aria said.
Two security guards-Aria's guards, now that the order was signed-stepped forward. They grabbed Chloe by the arms.
"Get off me!" She kicked and screamed as they dragged her toward the door. "Jordan will kill you for this!"
"He can try," Aria said.
The employees in the hallway watched in silence. No one moved to help her.
Aria sat down in the head chair. The leather was still warm from Chloe's body.
"From now on," Aria announced to the room, "I am the sole decision-maker."
The elevator doors dinged. Jordan burst out. He looked disheveled. His tie was crooked.
He charged toward the conference room.
"Aria!" he roared.
Kane stepped into the doorway. He put one hand up.
Jordan tried to push past him. It was like trying to push a mountain.
Kane grabbed Jordan's wrist. He twisted it slightly. Just enough to hurt.
"Back off," Kane whispered. "Or I'll break the other one."
Jordan looked at Kane's eyes. He saw something there that terrified him. He stepped back.
"You think you've won?" Jordan hissed, looking at Aria over Kane's shoulder. "Wait until you see the bank accounts."
He turned and stormed off.
Aria looked at Kane. "What did he mean?"
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