My Ambition 20

Chapter 3 

Last time, after Rex went down, Linda got busted for embezzlement. She’d spilled all of Rex’s secrets to the cops. 

Including how she’d been helping him spy on all my communications. 

Now I got it. 

That bastard had been spying on my phone, my laptop-everything. 

He was like some god looking down, watching me stumble around like a fool in a circus. 

This chill started at my feet and shot through my whole body. 

He wasn’t just trying to humiliate me-he wanted total control. 

He wanted me to understand I could never escape his grip. 

I ditched my phone and laptop, used a payphone to call Caleb. 

‘Stick to the plan. Just have your people show up on time.” 

Caleb was quiet for a second. 

You sure?” 

Dead sure.” 

After I hung up, I stared out at the night, feeling completely calm inside. 

lex, this cat-and-mouse game is just getting started for real now. 

The auction was packed with big shots. 

found a corner where nobody would notice me. 

Soon enough, I spotted Rex. 

Guy was on top of the world, surrounded by his crew, with that college girl hanging off his arm like an accessory. 

lis eyes swept the room like he was hunting for something. 

When he saw me, he looked surprised for a split second, then that cruel smile spread across his face. 

He raised his glass at me like he was toasting-basically saying: Look at me winning while you’re a total mess. 

Soon, the bidding started. 

Prices kept climbing. 

When the auctioneer hit two-eighty million, only Rex and one other company were left standing. 

Rex glanced at his assistant. Linda nodded. 

He raised his paddle. 

Three hundred million.” 

The whole place went nuts. 

That price was way over what the land was actually worth. 

Everyone looked at the other company, waiting to see what they’d do. 

But they folded. 

“Three hundred million going once, going twice, going three times!” 

‘SOLD!” 

Rex stood up, soaking in all the applause and congratulations. 

He walked right over to me and stopped. 

‘Maddie, see that?” 

“That’s the difference between you and me.” 

You’ll always be looking up at me from the gutter.” 

His little girlfriend giggled along: “Yeah! Like, know your place, you know?” 

didn’t say anything. Just looked at him and smiled. 

light then, the auction hall doors burst open. 

A bunch of people in official uniforms walked in, led by someone from the Historic Preservation Department. 

He went straight to the podium and took the mic from the auctioneer. 

Folks, I need everyone’s attention for a minute.” 

We just got word that this downtown lot you folks just bought-well, there might be some historic stuff buried underneath.” 

So here’s what’s gonna happen. Starting right now, our Historic Preservation team is gonna take over this site. We gotta do some ligging around first, so any construction plans are on hold until further notice.” 

Dead silence in the room. 

lex’s face went white as a sheet. 

NO WAY!” 

Rex screamed and rushed toward the stage. 

This is BULLSHIT!” 

“It’s a setup!” 

The Historic Preservation guy gave him this ice-cold stare. 

“Mr. Donovan, you need to back off.” 

We’re doing everything by the book.” 

You don’t like it? Sue us.” 

Then he walked out with his team. 

The auction hall exploded into chaos. 

Everyone was looking at Rex with pity, or barely hidden glee. 

Three hundred million-gone, just like that. 

For Donovan Industries, this was a body blow they might not survive. 

Rex swayed on his feet, could barely stand up. 

Linda and the college girl rushed to hold him up. 

He whipped around and stared at me with bloodshot eyes. 

‘YOU!” 

It’s YOU!”