Part 18: The Meeting of Empires
Two more years passed. Victoria was now six, a brilliant young girl who was already learning the basics of chess and corporate economics from her mother. Elena’s empire had grown so large that she was now regularly invited to address international economic forums.
During a global summit in Zurich, Switzerland, Elena was backstage in the VIP lounge, preparing to deliver the keynote address on sustainable global infrastructure.
An older gentleman, elegant and dressed in a bespoke British suit, approached her. It was Lord Alistair Vance, a billionaire magnate from London and a distant relative of the old-money circles the Whitmores had always desperately tried to impress.
"Ms. Vale," Lord Alistair said, bowing his head slightly in respect. "A pleasure to finally meet you in person. Your expansion into Western Europe has been nothing short of masterclass."
"Thank you, Lord Alistair," Elena replied smoothly, shaking his hand.
"I must admit," the older man smiled warmly, "years ago, I received a frantic letter from a woman named Diane Whitmore. She claimed you had illegally ruined her family and stolen their assets. She was begging for my financial backing to file an international lawsuit against you."
Elena raised an eyebrow, amused. "And what did you tell her?"
Lord Alistair laughed, a rich, booming sound.
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"I told her that in the world of high business, there are wolves and there are sheep. And if a sheep is foolish enough to bite a wolf under her own roof, she shouldn't cry when the forest belongs to the wolf the next morning. I tore up the letter, Ms. Vale. The Whitmores were a minor footnote. You are the future."
Elena smiled, a real, satisfied smile. "The future is exactly what I'm building, My Lord."
