[James's POV]
The office felt stuffy.
The air felt like it wasn't moving.
Three reports lay on my desk.
Leo had just sent them in.
I picked up Lilith's file.
It was filled with records of her messy private life.
My finger stopped at the last line.
Multiple abortions. Infertility.
I stared at the word "infertility."
My chest filled with cold laughter.
Alistair Black.
That old fox thought I was stupid.
He wanted to trade a woman who couldn't have children for the wealth of the Black family.
I tossed the report aside.
Then I picked up Rose's file.
Her record was clean.
Stanford University. Full scholarship.
She worked all through school. Never slacked off.
The only stain in her life was having Alistair Black as a father.
The last line said she would start working at PwC next week.
PwC.
Our company's auditor.
Perfect.
I picked up the phone.
"Leo."
"Tell PwC I want Rose Lang transferred to our audit project."
"I want their team at Watson Group HQ every day starting next week."
I leaned back in the chair.
I closed my eyes.
I could already imagine her face when she saw me again.
Would she shake in fear?
Or would she glare at me with those eyes?
Somehow, I looked forward to it.
My private phone rang.
It was Alistair.
Again.
I ignored it.
Let it ring until it cut off.
He'd been calling nonstop for days.
I never answered.
He needed to learn a lesson.
There was a knock on the door.
Leo opened it and stepped aside.
Alistair walked in.
Next to him stood Lilith, dressed like she was going to a nightclub.
Good.
Saved me the trouble of calling them in.
I tilted my chin slightly.
They came in.
Lilith's perfume was strong and cheap.
She moved like a snake, trying to sit close to me.
I leaned back, putting distance between us.
That scent made my stomach turn.
"The heir of the Watson family won't come from a woman like this," I said.
I looked straight at her.
Her fake smile froze.
Alistair's face darkened.
He forced a laugh, trying to smooth things over.
"James, you can trust Lilith, she—"
I cut him off.
"I'm not in a rush for the wedding."
I looked at her flat stomach.
"When she's pregnant with my child, we'll talk about marriage."
"I need an heir."
"That's non-negotiable."
I wanted to force him.
Force him to give up the fake one.
Force him to bring me the real one.
Alistair's eyes lit up with greed.
He thought he was winning.
"Of course, of course! They should spend time together first, build a bond, yes!"
He smiled like he had everything under control.
He didn't know Lilith was already infertile.
Her face turned pale.
He didn't even look at her.
Instead, he changed the subject.
"As for the exclusive supply deal between our companies—"
"With your current capacity?" I looked at him like he was a joke. "You can't even meet ten percent of our needs."
He panicked.
"We're expanding! We're optimizing the supply chain, I swear—"
"I'll give you a little more share."
I gave in just enough.
The bait was in the water.
Alistair looked satisfied.
He left, dragging his daughter with him.
He had no idea.
This was only the beginning.
I would take down the entire Black Group. Bit by bit.
And as for Rose—
You won't escape.
PwC.
We'll meet again. Very soon.