Mr. Hayes leaned back in the carved wooden chair of the mansion’s library, the lamplight catching the edge of his glasses. Cassandra sat across from him, her posture composed, her hands folded neatly on the table. She had chosen her moment carefully, aware that Liam’s father was most open after dinner, when he lingered over reports and whiskey.“You’ve kept Liam waiting long enough,” Cassandra said, breaking the silence. “If you don’t trust his merger pitch, tell him plainly. But dragging your feet doesn’t help anyone.”Hayes raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you champion his concerns?”“Since I realized hesitation spreads. The board senses it, investors sense it. And if it continues, stability weakens. You taught Liam that a shaky foundation collapses quickly.”“True,” Hayes allowed, “but you seem unusually invested. You’re not a board member, Cassandra.”“No,” she admitted, “but I’m his wife. His future affects mine. And I notice what he ignores. Cash flow, liquidity, market optics—

The private club was dimly lit, the kind of place where conversations floated in low tones and the walls seemed to keep secrets. Cassandra had chosen it deliberately—a setting neutral enough not to arouse Eleanor’s suspicion, yet polished enough to match Mr. Hayes’s tastes. Mr. Hayes sat across from her in a high-backed leather chair. He looked comfortable, almost too comfortable. Cassandra leaned forward slightly, her tone light but threaded with an undercurrent of calculation.“I wanted us to talk without the constant interruptions at the mansion,” she said, sliding the folder across the table. “You’ve been generous with your guidance, and I thought it best to draft something that ensures the merger isn’t tampered with by outsiders.”Hayes raised a brow, curiosity flickering in his sharp eyes. He didn’t open the folder yet. Instead, he studied her face, the way she clasped her hands, the deliberate calm in her voice.“You’ve taken an unusual interest in these matters, Cassandra,” h

Cassandra waited just outside Mr. Hayes’s compound, clutching the envelope tightly to her chest. Its weight felt heavier than it should—inside was the document she’d gotten from Mr. Hayes, the signature that could finally tip things in Nathan’s favor.Nathan approached from the gate. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and for an instant, the past flickered between them—before ambition and circumstances had made everything more complicated.“You have it,” Nathan said, his voice low but certain.Cassandra nodded, moving toward him with deliberate care. “He signed it. Without hesitation. He thinks it secures the merger—he doesn’t know what he’s given away.”The flicker of firelight danced in Nathan’s gaze as he reached for the envelope. His fingers brushed against hers, and for a brief heartbeat, the tension between them was not just conspiratorial but deeply personal, tethered to memories they’d buried but never destroyed.“Cassandra,” he murmured, almost as if her name carried both gra

The study was unusually silent that evening, the fire burning low against the wide oak-paneled walls. Mr. Hayes sat at the heavy desk, his fingers brushing absently against the edge of an old leather-bound ledger, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Earlier that morning, news from the court had reached his private counsel: Nathan Kane Hayes had submitted a legally-binding document, claiming 51% ownership of Hayes assets. The claim was already under review. The words had lodged like a splinter in Mr. Hayes’ chest. Nathan, the estranged son, had moved faster than anyone expected. His claim was legitimate enough to warrant serious consideration, and that alone was enough to shift the balance of power in the empire.Mr. Hayes’ lawyer, Harold Lang, stood across from the desk, spectacles resting low on his nose as he recited the findings with his customary calm.“It’s authentic, sir. The document bears your signature—dated and notarized. If the court validates it fully, Nathan’s claim cannot

Nathan had just received the latest notice: the court was on the verge of finalizing his claim. One ruling, just one signature—would validate his ownership of fifty-one percent of Hayes’ assets. But Cassandra slid into the seat across from him, her presence softening the air. She looked over her shoulder before leaning forward, her voice low but urgent.“It’s moving faster than we thought,” Nathan whispered, tapping the envelope against the table. “The judges have almost cleared the final review.”Her lips curved slightly, though her eyes betrayed the tension beneath. “Good. I told you I wouldn’t let Liam or Eleanor get in the way. I made sure the right documents ended up where they needed to.”Nathan studied her. “Why risk it? You know if they find out, Eleanor will make you pay.”Cassandra’s gaze hardened. “Because this family owes me everything they’ve denied. My marriage to Liam was nothing but a chain. You—your claim—is my way out. I need you to win, Nathan. For both of us.”He