Page 38 of My Big, Fat, Hot Billionaire Enemy

“Morgan Weiss is a snake,” Gideon says flatly, his voice rumbling with distaste. “Always has been. Aligns himself with whoever seems strongest. If he’s threatening you with dirt on Richard, he either has it, or he’s working for someone who does.”

“Mark Blackwell,” I say quietly. “Christopher hinted as much. And it makes sense. Mark wants Hammond dismantled. Christopher offers a deal, maybe too moderate for Mark’s taste. So Mark uses Weiss to push for liquidation instead, undermining Christopher and getting what he wants anyway.” It’s like Game of Thrones, but with spreadsheets and less nudity. Probably.

Gideon nods slowly. “That fits Mark’s playbook. He despises your father. As for Christopher, my impression is... his father is always pushing him, manipulating him... trying to make him into a carbon copy of himself. And if that’s failing... well, using Weiss to force a liquidation Christopher might oppose? That’d be classic Mark Blackwell.”

“So the data Christopher sent me…” I trail off, still grappling with it. “Was he warning me? Helping me fight his own father’s scheme?”

“Maybe,” Gideon concedes, crossing his arms. He studies me for a moment. “Christopher Blackwell is brilliant. Ruthless, yes, but strategically unparalleled. He broke away from Mark for a reason. He wants his own legacy, not just an extension of his father’s. If Mark is interfering in a deal Christopher structured…” Gideon shrugs. “Christopher wouldn’t like that. Using you to counter Mark? It’s a complex move, but plausible.”

“But can I trust him?” The questionhangs in the air, heavy and uncertain. Trusting the man who kissed me senseless then dismissed it as a ‘lapse’? Trusting the man nicknamed ‘The Executioner?’

“Trust him?” Gideon raises an eyebrow. “Professionally? His word on a deal, once given, is usually solid. Christopher values his reputation for closing. Personally? That’s… complicated. If he’s anything like me, he has more walls than Alcatraz. And letting anyone in won’t be his default setting.” He glances at Ava, a flicker of something soft in his eyes. Maybe Alcatraz has a visitor’s center or something.

“But Gideon,” Ava chimes in, “hedidsend Lucy the information on Weiss. That’s something, right? He didn’t have to.”

“No,” Gideon agrees. “He didn’t. Which makes it interesting. He clearly sees value in Hammond & Co... or maybe,” he looks back at me, “he sees value in you, Lucy. Beyond just a liaison.”

My cheeks heat up instantly. Oh god, he had to go there. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s business.”

Gideon just smirks, a faint echo of the intimidating player he used to be before Ava sanded down his sharper edges. “Everything is personal, Lucy. Especially at this level. Christopher might be offering help, but he’ll expect something in return. Control. Loyalty. Information. Be prepared for that.” He pauses. “And never, ever underestimate Mark Blackwell. He plays the long game, and he plays dirty. Take it from me, I know.”

Great. So my options are: trust the possibly manipulative son, get screwed over by the definitely evil father via his weasel proxy Morgan, or watch the company die.

Fantastic choices all around.

Can I pick ‘run away to Tahiti and sell seashell art’ instead?

I look between Ava’s worried expression and Gideon’s shrewd assessment. Morgan’s threat hangs over me. If I fight him openly, he could ruin Dad. If I accept Christopher’s deal, I gain an ally against Morgan, maybe, but I hand Christopher immense power. Power he could use however he wants once the ink is dry. Including digging into Dad’s ‘indiscretions.’

But Christopher did help. He gave me the weapon to fight Weiss. He didn’t have to. Maybe… maybe it’s a test? Maybe he wants to see if I’ll roll over or fight back? Maybe partnership, real partnership, starts with taking a calculated risk.

Okay. Decision time.

“I need to work with Christopher,” I say, the words tasting strange and risky on my tongue. “Against Morgan, at least. It’s the only way to neutralize the immediate threat without letting Weiss burn everything down or expose Dad.”

Ava nods slowly. “If that’s what you want. Just be careful, Lucy.”

“Eyes open,” Gideon advises. “Assume nothing. Verify everything. And keep your leverage against Morgan, whatever it is.”

My leverage. Right now, that feels like my wits, Christopher’s cryptic data dump, and a whole lot of nervous energy.

I say goodbye to Gideon and Ava and thank them for their advice, and when I’m secure inside a cab on the way to my apartment, I pull out my phone.

Forget email. Forget Tatiana.

This needs to be direct.

But nottoo direct.

Definitely not from my office or his. Neutral ground: the secure number the message came from.

My slightly damp thumbs hover over the keypad. What do I even say? I type something quick.

Hey Executioner,thanks for the anonymous tip about the traitor in my company. Wanna team up to screw him over before he screws my Dad? Coffee?

Smooth,real smooth.

I clear the message and start over.