Cassian stood in the QuinVale penthouse, reviewing the latest quarterly numbers. The company was soaring.
But success had a price.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:
Better check your boardroom. The real boss is back.
Cassian frowned.
He'd blocked his uncle's number months ago, right after he and Arabella took full control of Vale Corporation and merged it into QuinVale. At the time, it felt like the final nail in a bitter legacy. But his gut knew better. A man like Desmond Vale didn't disappear. He waited.
Cassian rushed downstairs.
In the executive boardroom sat Desmond, tall and venomously elegant, in a dark suit with a crimson tie—like blood on silk.
Flanked by two lawyers.
Arabella was already there, standing protectively in front of her seat, her heels planted like armor.
Desmond smiled. "Nephew. Nice of you to join us."
"What the hell are you doing here?" Cassian said.
Desmond spread his arms like a priest offering absolution. "Collecting what's mine."
He slid a document across the table.
Cassian didn't have to read it all to know it was trouble.
Arabella did, though. She flipped through it quickly, her sharp eyes narrowing with every line.
"This is a legal claim," she said, "to half of QuinVale."
Cassian's blood ran cold.
"That's impossible. We bought you out."
Desmond chuckled. "You bought the rights to Vale Corp. But your father and I had an agreement. A private one. About inheritance. It includes any business using the Vale name. Including yours."
Cassian's jaw tightened. "That was never filed legally."
Desmond's grin widened. "Ah, but now it is."
Arabella slammed the document shut.
"This is a hostile takeover attempt."
Desmond leaned forward, lowering his voice.
"Darling, you were always too pretty to be smart. Don't test me."
Cassian lunged, fists clenched, but Arabella stood and held him back, eyes burning.
"Let him speak," she said. "Let him dig his grave."
Desmond smirked. "Cute. Still playing the power couple act?"
He turned to Cassian. "You think love and a baby will protect you? You think a pink-themed rebrand erases everything I built?"
Cassian's voice was ice. "You built nothing but lies."
Desmond stood.
"This isn't personal. It's blood. I am the Vale legacy."
Cassian stepped forward, steel in his tone. "No. I am. And this company—this life—belongs to the future I chose, not the past you poisoned."
Desmond gave a slow clap.
"Well said. We'll see how poetic you sound in court."
He walked out without looking back.
Cassian slumped into a chair.
Arabella stood beside him, one hand on his shoulder.
But he didn't speak.
Not even when she whispered, "We'll fight this."
Not even when she kissed his cheek and said, "He doesn't get to win."
Because Cassian wasn't afraid of losing the company.
He was afraid that protecting it would cost him her.
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