All Chapters of The Heir Behind Bars: Chapter 71
- Chapter 80
202 chapters
Chapter Seventy One
The library at Sterling Mansion was hushed that evening. Cassandra sat at the long oak table, her posture elegant but rigid, every movement deliberate. Across from her, Laura Chen regarded her with a shrewd eye.“I’ll be frank,” Chen began, folding her hands over the file Cassandra had provided. “Liam’s merger project offered security. It was a reasonable path forward. Yet what you’re proposing…” She tapped the folder with a manicured nail. “Patents with global market reach? Exclusive control? It is ambitious, Cassandra. Almost reckless.”Cassandra’s lips curved into a quiet smile. “Reckless is how vision is often described—until it succeeds. You’ve seen the data, Laura. With Sterling’s backing, your returns would triple. Liam’s offer pales in comparison. Why settle for stability when dominance is within reach?”Chen’s brow furrowed, but Cassandra caught the flicker of interest. She pressed on, voice velvet yet edged with steel.“This isn’t just business for me,” she said softly, lean
Chapter Seventy Two
In the Hayes mansion study, Mr. Hayes had smoked cigars while negotiating late into the hours. Cassandra sat in the high-backed chair opposite Laura Chen, the firelight flickering against polished brass.Chen adjusted her spectacles, scanning the new set of documents Cassandra had laid before her. “You’ve improved the margins,” she observed coolly. “More aggressive than before.”Cassandra leaned forward, her voice calm, deliberate. “Sterling is prepared to reward loyalty. Increased returns, expedited timelines, and access to patent-driven markets before anyone else. You’ve already taken the first step by shifting away from Liam’s fragile project. This is the next.”Chen pursed her lips, considering. “Liam assured me stability. What you offer is opportunity—but risk.”“Risk,” Cassandra said, “is the price of empire. Stability breeds mediocrity. You told me once you wanted more than steady growth, Laura. You wanted to be remembered.”Chen’s gaze sharpened. She closed the folder and gave
Chapter Seventy Three
The private club was a quiet fortress of influence, a place where the city’s most powerful met under the veil of discretion. Cassandra sat with Laura Chen in a secluded corner booth, the polished brass lamp casting a golden glow over the documents spread between them. The hum of the club provided cover for their whispers.Chen adjusted her diamond bracelet as she scanned the papers Cassandra slid across the table. “This is not merely an investor agreement,” Chen said finally, her voice even. “This is a board policy shift.”Cassandra’s lips curved. “Precisely. Eleanor intends to introduce a merger clause—one that places Sterling executives at the center of operational oversight. It will appear cooperative, even efficient, but in truth it ensures the board tilts decisively toward Sterling’s vision.”Chen studied her, weighing the risk. “And you expect me to cast my vote for this?”“I don’t expect,” Cassandra corrected smoothly. “I offer. With your support, you secure not only enhanced
Chapter Seventy Four
Laura Chen sat across from Cassandra, her eyes sharp and calculating. “You want me to carry your clause into the boardroom?” she asked, crossing one leg over the other. “That’s not a small request.”Cassandra didn’t hesitate. “It’s not a request—it’s a strategy. You’ve already seen the Sterling terms. Better profit margins, better patent access, and more control over the Asian market. If you speak for it, others will follow.”Chen’s lips twitched. “And why not Eleanor herself?”“Because Eleanor’s presence would expose the play. You, however, are a neutral party—trusted, respected, and until now, aligned with Liam. That makes your switch all the more powerful.” Cassandra leaned forward, her voice lowering. “Do this, and Sterling will guarantee you priority access to the tech patents. You’ll double your returns before Hayes even realizes what happened.”Chen studied her for a long moment, then smiled thinly. “Convincing. Very well. I’ll press the clause at the next board meeting. But un
Chapter Seventy Five
The marble lobby of the City Office buzzed with polished shoes, murmured deals, and champagne glasses. The annual business meeting had always been the stage where the city’s most powerful families measured their dominance.Nathan strode in with Victor at his side, his gaze scanning the banners of major conglomerates. His brow furrowed almost immediately. “Where are the Hayeses?”Victor adjusted his tie, scanning the guest list pinned at the registration table. “Not here. Not even on the program. That’s strange. Hayes Telecom used to headline these events.”Nathan’s jaw tightened. “And yet the Sterlings are front and center.”They followed the sound of applause into the main hall. On the podium, Eleanor Sterling stood radiant, but it was Cassandra who stepped forward to present.“Ladies and gentlemen,” Cassandra began, her tone calm and professional, “the merger has opened unprecedented opportunities. Sterling’s expansion into international telecom has already secured strategic partner
Chapter Seventy six
As the door shut behind him, Mr. Hayes sat back heavily in his chair, rubbing his head. He thought his battle was with investor confidence. He had no idea it was Eleanor Sterling tightening the noose.Meanwhile, Nathan arrived early at the Lexington Lounge, choosing a corner booth that offered both discretion and visibility. He placed his phone on the table, fingers drumming lightly against the polished surface as he reviewed the messages that had brought him here. Cassandra’s text had been succinct but loaded with implications:"I told you about Eleanor’s plan for a reason. I didn’t marry Liam because I loved him. I was forced. I’ve hated that life every day. There’s more you need to know, but I can’t talk here. Meet me tonight at the lounge in Lexington, 8 PM. Don’t tell Victor"Nathan’s mind raced. He had suspected Cassandra’s ambivalence, but the weight of a past connection intertwined with coercion, power, and betrayal made this meeting urgent. He typed a brief reply: "Understood
Chapter Seventy Seven
The lounge was quieter than usual Nathan had arrived first, sitting at the center of a circular booth. This time, he knew he had to play both sides carefully. Eleanor and Cassandra would soon arrive, each carrying secrets he intended to use strategically.Cassandra entered first, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. She moved with a cautious elegance, her eyes scanning the room for potential eavesdroppers. She spotted Nathan immediately and approached the booth, sliding into her seat with a subtle sigh. “Nathan,” she said quietly, her voice barely above the soft jazz playing in the background. “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”“I wouldn’t miss it,” Nathan replied evenly, keeping his expression neutral. “There’s too much at stake.” He glanced around, noting the strategic vantage points in the lounge. “We need to talk openly. Eleanor is coming. She doesn’t know yet that you and I have aligned, and you need to be careful.”Cassandra nodded. “I know. I’ve been keeping my distan
Chapter Seventy Eight
The library in the Sterling mansion was a grand expanse of polished wood. Cassandra moved carefully between shelves, a stack of files clutched in her hands, aware that Eleanor’s eyes tracked her from across the room. Cassandra’s mind was occupied with strategy. She needed to draw closer to Mr. Hayes, to probe about Hayes Telecom’s ownership structure without raising Eleanor’s suspicions. Despite being under Eleanor’s direct scrutiny, she had found subtle ways to engage him, using the guise of curiosity and marital duty to gain access to sensitive discussions. “Father,” she asked casually as she approached him, “I was reviewing the merger documents, and I realized I don’t fully understand the allocation of shares and assets within Hayes Telecom. Could you clarify that for me?”Mr. Hayes glanced up, a faint smile touching his features. “Cassandra, I appreciate your interest. But some of these details are… sensitive. Why the sudden curiosity?”“Just trying to understand the company bett
Chapter Seventy Nine
Cassandra entered quietly, into the study room carrying a folder of reports she had subtly gathered from the mansion’s archives. Her heels made soft clicks on the wood as she approached Mr. Hayes, who was seated at his large mahogany desk, reviewing documents from the latest board meeting.“Father,” she began, her voice smooth and controlled, “I’ve been looking over the ownership transfers for Hayes Telecom, and I realized there are some details I don’t fully understand. Can you help clarify them for me?”Mr. Hayes looked up, his brow slightly furrowed. “Cassandra, you’ve been asking a lot of questions lately,” he said cautiously, his tone polite but edged with concern. “Why the sudden interest in the details of ownership structure?”“Just trying to understand how the company is positioned post-merger,” she said, leaning lightly against the desk. “It’s important to know the implications of certain transfers so I can support the company effectively.”Her tone was carefully crafted—resp
Chapter Eighty
The Lexington Lounge was quieter than usual, the muted chatter of patrons blending with soft jazz. Nathan arrived first, securing a corner table that offered both discretion and a clear line of sight to the main entrance. His mind raced with calculations and contingencies. The legal loophole he had uncovered in Hayes Telecom’s structure could give him leverage against Eleanor, allowing him to secure his birthright without overtly aiding Hayes. Every detail mattered, and timing would determine success or failure.Moments later, Victor arrived, sliding into the seat across from Nathan. He gave a sharp nod. “You look serious. What’s happening?”Nathan leaned forward, lowering his voice. “I’ve found a legal loophole in Hayes Telecom’s ownership structure. It’s subtle, but powerful. If I play this right, I can force Eleanor to negotiate my birthright without needing to expose Hayes or interfere with the board overtly.”Victor’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s risky. You mean you’d pressure Elea