Chapter 6: The Diamond Queen's Gambit

The auction hall buzzed with whispers after Richard's bold bid.

"Twenty million... just like that!"

"Did you see Christopher's face?"

"That's what real money looks like."

Penelope dug her nails into Christopher's arm. "Why couldn't you bid higher?"

"Penelope, that's more than our company's quarterly profit—"

"I don't care! I wanted that diamond!"

Ashlyn fingered the magnificent necklace. "Richard, this is excessive."

"The look on their faces? Priceless." Richard smirked. "Besides, diamonds suit you better than her."

Later at Sparkle & Shine, Jonathan's jaw dropped when Ashlyn entered his office. "Mrs. Walker? You're Richard's wife?"

"Surprised?"

"Shocked is more accurate. Richard never mentioned—"

"I'd like you to remain president," Ashlyn interrupted. "I'm still studying, and the company needs experienced leadership."

Jonathan studied her carefully. "You're nothing like the rumors suggest."

"Oh?" Ashlyn placed a thick script on his desk. "What do the rumors say?"

"That you're unstable, erratic..." His eyes widened as he scanned the first page. "This script... it's brilliant."

"Can you produce it quickly?"

"This could be our biggest hit yet. But why the rush?"

Ashlyn's smile held secrets. "Let's just say I have a score to settle."

"With Penelope Knight?"

"You're well-informed."

"In this industry, information is power." Jonathan leaned forward. "She stole this from you, didn't she?"

"Smart man. Will you help me?"

"With pleasure. It's about time someone put her in her place."

Outside, Ashlyn sipped her drink, watching the sunset. The sky reminded her of battles long past, of a homeland now beyond reach.

Her phone buzzed. "Hubby."

"Missing me already?" Richard's voice was warm.

"Terribly. Your bad jokes leave quite a void."

"Speaking of void—" His tone shifted. "Jonathan, I know you're there."

Jonathan's face appeared on a split screen. "Richard! I was just—"

"If anything happens to my wife under your watch, they'll never find your body."

"Richard!" Ashlyn scolded, but she was smiling.

"Just making sure we understand each other," Richard said sweetly.

As Ashlyn left the building, familiar voices made her freeze.

"Ashlyn! What a surprise!" Penelope's saccharine tone made her teeth ache.

Christopher hovered nearby. "Are you... okay? After everything?"

"Never better." Ashlyn moved to walk past them.

"What brings you to Sparkle & Shine?" Penelope's eyes glittered with suspicion.

Jonathan appeared, as if summoned. "Ah, Mrs. Walker. The meeting went well?"

"Mrs. Walker?" Christopher choked.

"You work here?" Penelope's voice rose an octave.

"I wouldn't say work..." Jonathan smiled mysteriously. "It's more accurate to say—"

"She's useless!" Penelope snapped. "Whatever game you're playing, involving her in our rivalry is beneath you."

Jonathan's expression hardened. "Mrs. Walker has shown more business acumen in one meeting than you have in years. Her ideas are revolutionary, her vision clear." He turned to Ashlyn. "Shall we discuss the script over dinner?"

"Script?" Penelope's face paled.

"What script?" Christopher stepped forward.

Ashlyn's phone buzzed again. Richard's message read: "Dinner at home. Don't be late. I have more jokes prepared."

She smiled at Jonathan. "Rain check on dinner. My husband gets cranky when I'm late."

"Of course." Jonathan's eyes twinkled. "Though I must ask – does Richard still tell those awful food puns?"

"Worse than ever."

"Richard?" Christopher's voice cracked. "Richard Walker?"

Ashlyn turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, Penelope? You might want to clear your schedule next week. The script you stole? It's going into production." She glanced at her diamond necklace. "Consider it my engagement gift to you both."

As she walked away, her phone buzzed one more time. The message made her blood freeze:

"Commander, we found a way back. The portal opens in three days. Will you return to lead us?"

Behind her, she heard Jonathan engaging Christopher and Penelope, but her mind was elsewhere. Three days. The same day as the birthday banquet. The same day she planned to destroy Penelope.

Return to her homeland and her troops? Or stay and finish what she started?

The diamond around her neck suddenly felt heavy, like the weight of two worlds colliding.

Her phone buzzed again. Richard: "Made you a sandwich. Come home before it gets jealous and starts feeling blue. Get it? Blue cheese? "

Ashlyn stared at the message, her heart torn between two lives, two destinies, and realized she had less than 72 hours to choose between them.

The war commander or the diamond queen?

The battlefield or the boardroom?

Her soldiers or her husband?

The choice would change everything.