The Ice Princess of Fifth Avenue
The First Move is Blood
Location: Valtieri Global Holdings, CEO Office — Manhattan
The echo of Lambert’s retreat hadn’t fully faded when Audrey returned, her heels soft against the marble like she understood silence was still a loaded gun in the room.
She didn’t ask how it went.
The signed papers in Audrey’s hands spoke for themselves.
Audrey Chase
Shall I notify Legal to initiate the transition filings?
Celeste nodded, her gaze fixed on the city drowning in gray and glass beyond her windows.
Celeste Valtieri
Give them something to do before lunch. Let them feel useful.
Audrey Chase
And Lambert’s team?
Celeste Valtieri
Already dead. They just haven’t noticed yet.
Audrey almost smiled. Almost.
As she turned to leave, her phone buzzed. One glance at the screen stopped her cold. Something in her expression shifted — slight, but enough.
Celeste’s eyes sharpened immediately.
Celeste Valtieri
What is it?
Audrey Chase
It’s… for you. Direct line. No sender ID.
Celeste’s pulse didn’t quicken. Her breathing didn’t change.
But beneath the marble calm, something flickered. Interest, not fear.
Audrey handed her the phone without another word.
Grainy. Taken from a distance.
The side of a building Celeste recognized too well — her building.
Fifth Avenue. A black SUV parked half a block down. Someone leaning against it. Unclear face. Clear intent.
Beneath it, a single sentence:
Unknown contact
The crown slips faster when blood stains the marble.
Another photo followed before she could speak.
Audrey.
This morning. Coffee in hand, phone pressed to her ear, standing outside the lobby unaware of the camera trained on her.
Unknown contact
Your knight looks fragile. Easy to break.
For a breath, nothing moved.
Then Celeste’s thumb tapped the intercom.
Celeste Valtieri
Nicolo. Now.
Celeste Valtieri
You’re leaving through the secure elevator. No stops. No questions.
Her voice cut through any protest before it formed.
Celeste Valtieri
Do not speak to anyone. Not even building staff. Straight home. Send me proof when you’re inside and locked down.
Audrey’s professionalism didn’t falter, but her spine stiffened with something colder than obedience. Fear.
Nicolo appeared moments later, silent as sin. He took in the phone, the images, the tight set of Celeste’s jaw.
Nicolo Vittore Bianchi
They’re close.
His voice was low. Final.
Nicolo Vittore Bianchi
Too close.
Celeste Valtieri
They want me rattled. They want me sloppy.
Celeste’s fingers drummed once against the desk before handing him the phone.
Celeste Valtieri
They think reminding me of what I protect will shake my hand. That was their first mistake.
Nicolo’s thumb hovered over the image.
Nicolo Vittore Bianchi
Want me to find the SUV?
Celeste Valtieri
No. I want the one holding the camera.
Nicolo Vittore Bianchi
Already on it.
His smile was thin. Not kind.
Nicolo Vittore Bianchi
They won’t enjoy meeting me.
Celeste stepped closer to the window. Rain streaked down the glass like veins splitting through ice. Below, the city churned. Above, her empire watched.
Celeste Valtieri
They think this is chess,
Celeste Valtieri
They think they’ve taken a pawn.
Her reflection in the glass smiled. Sharp. Unforgiving.
Celeste Valtieri
They forgot who flipped the board last.
Nicolo’s gaze stayed on her.
Nicolo Vittore Bianchi
You want them alive?
Celeste Valtieri
For now. I want to know who feeds their courage. Who whispers in the dark. Who thinks Valtieri’s crown can be stolen while I still draw breath.
Nicolo Vittore Bianchi
I’ll bring you names.
Celeste Valtieri
And if they run?
Nicolo Vittore Bianchi
They won’t run fast enough.
Private Message: Secured Line — Celeste Valtieri to Unknown Contact
Celeste Valtieri
I’m done letting you play in shadows.
You want my attention. Now you have it.
Be ready for the cost.
When Nicolo left, she allowed herself a moment of stillness. Not weakness. Calculation.
The first move was made. Blood would follow.
Outside, the rain didn’t stop.
Neither did she.
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