Chapter 12 - THE SHADOW IN THE BOARDROOM|
By Monday morning at eight o'clock, the atmosphere on the top floor of Carmichael Logistics felt like a powder keg waiting for a spark.
Beatrice walked through the glass doors wearing her sensible dark trousers, a crisp white button-down shirt, and her practical leather shoes. Her hair was pulled back into its usual neat clip, her glasses resting on her nose.
The executive staff stared at her as she passed. The rumors from Saturday night had already turned her from a quiet basement accountant into a legendary figure who had humiliated Don Hector and broken Marco Costello.
She walked straight into Arthur’s corner office.
Arthur sat behind his massive desk, flanked by Leo and three senior captains. He wore a dark grey suit, looking every bit the ruthless boss of the Midwest.
When Beatrice entered, Arthur’s eyes locked onto hers. The professional mask stayed firmly in place, but a subtle, fiery heat flickered deep within his gray gaze.
“Miss Gallagher,” Arthur acknowledged politely. “The Castiglione files are on the table.”
Leo cleared his throat nervously, looking between Beatrice and his brother. “Beatrice... look, about Saturday... I want to apologize for how Sophia spoke to you.”
Beatrice set her leather folder on the desk. “Save it, Leo. Your fiancée is the least dangerous person in this building.”
She opened the Castiglione file, scanning the first page. Within ten seconds, her brow furrowed.
“This is wrong,” Beatrice said, her voice dropping into her professional register.
Arthur leaned forward. “What’s wrong?”
“These aren't dock manifests,” Beatrice said, pointing her pen at a column of figures. “These are weapons shipments. Listed as agricultural machinery entering Pier 4.”
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Leo went pale. “That’s O’Malley’s secondary route.”
“No,” Arthur said softly, his gray eyes darkening into pure rage. “That’s Marco’s route. He didn't just steal money... he’s running guns into my territory behind my back.”
