Chapter 9
Eleonore pushed open the door to Bradley's private studio on the Upper East Side.
Her face was completely drained of color. Her hands were shaking inside the pockets of her trench coat.
Bradley was sitting at his desk, peering through a jeweler's loupe at a loose diamond.
He looked up. He saw her face and immediately dropped the tool.
"What happened?" Bradley asked, standing up.
Eleonore swallowed hard. Her throat felt like it was lined with sandpaper.
"The filigree box," she whispered. "It was at Christie's. Keaton Kaufman bought it in a private sale last night."
Bradley slammed his fist down on the wooden desk. The loose diamonds rattled.
"That bastard," Bradley hissed. "He collects art just to lock it in a vault and use it as leverage. He doesn't care about the craftsmanship."
Eleonore squeezed her hands into tight fists. Her fingernails dug into her palms.
"I have to get it back, Bradley," she said. Her voice was low, vibrating with a desperate intensity. "I don't care what it takes. That box belongs to my family."
Bradley sighed heavily. He rubbed his temples.
"Carlyle's legal team is a fortress, El. You cannot just demand it back. He bought it legally."
Kierra, who had been sitting on the leather sofa scrolling through her phone, suddenly sat up straight.
"Wait," Kierra said loudly. "Why don't you ask Dominique?"
Eleonore looked at her.
"Dominique practically runs BNile now," Kierra said, waving her hands. "BNile has the money and the power to negotiate with Carlyle. Just ask him to buy it off Kaufman."
Eleonore's eyes widened. It was the only logical option.
She pulled her phone out of her pocket. Her fingers fumbled as she dialed Dominique's international number.
The phone rang three times before he answered.
"El?" Dominique's deep voice came through the speaker.
"Dom, I need your help," Eleonore said, her words rushing out in a panicked breath. She explained the situation with the box and Keaton Kaufman.
Dominique was silent for a long moment.
"I will have my acquisitions team contact Carlyle immediately," Dominique promised. "I will handle it. Try to breathe."
Eleonore closed her eyes and let out a long, shaky breath. "Thank you."
She hung up the phone. Her shoulders dropped two inches. The crushing weight on her chest eased slightly.
Kierra nudged Eleonore's arm with her elbow. A massive grin spread across Kierra's face.
"See?" Kierra teased loudly. "The second you are in trouble, you call your knight in shining armor. That is true love, El."
Eleonore rolled her eyes. The tension broke for a second.
"Stop it, Kierra. He is like my brother," Eleonore said, rubbing her forehead.
"Sure," Kierra laughed, crossing her arms. "I am already picking out my bridesmaid dress for your wedding in the Swiss Alps."
Bradley let out a rare, quiet chuckle from his desk. He clearly approved of the idea.
Eleonore shook her head, a small, tired smile touching her lips.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her hand.
The screen lit up. It was a text message from Dominique.
Eleonore looked down.
Negotiations failed. Keaton refused all offers. He will not sell.
The small smile vanished from Eleonore's face.
Her blood ran ice cold. The air was sucked out of her lungs.
She stared at the words until they blurred. Her fingers gripped the phone so hard the plastic case creaked.
Kierra saw her face change. Kierra leaned over and read the screen.
Kierra gasped. "Oh my god."
Bradley walked around the desk. "What is it?"
Eleonore slowly lifted her head. The panic was gone from her eyes.
In its place was a cold, terrifying resolve.
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