THE CASTAWAY HEIR: POWER UNSEEN

CHAPTER 2

Upon returning upstairs, Brandon dialed Joe, his subordinate.

“Make sure the officials who pushed this through are taken care of properly,” Brandon instructed.

“Also make sure it all remains discreet. No loose ends.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And another thing,” Brandon continued, pausing only to sip his tea.

“Transfer Scott Holdings into her name. She won’t know it’s from me, but I want the paperwork clean and airtight. By the time she asks questions, the transition should already be complete.”

The subordinate hesitated. “All of it, sir?”

“All of it,” Brandon replied firmly. “That woman deserves more than half-measures.”

When the call ended, Brandon exhaled deeply.

He imagined the look on Sophia’s face when she realized the empire was hers to command. He had been careful to stay behind the curtain, moving people, funds, and influence into place.

Tonight, he wanted to surprise her.

He moved to the kitchen and prepared Sophia’s favorite dishes—roast duck with orange glaze, saffron rice, and the tiramisu.

By the time the table was complete, he prepared a flicker of candles. The rich scent of roasted meat and the soft music humming in the background was all perfect.

Brandon checked his watch.

Downstairs, in the living room, Ava Bennet and her circle of friends suddenly received urgent calls.

With hurried apologies, they gathered their coats and handbags and left.

Brandon was pleased. At least, tonight, for once, it would just be him and Sophia.

So he awaited Sophia’s arrival.

Seven o’clock passed. Then eight.

He poured himself a glass of wine, still believing she would walk through the door at any moment.

At nine, doubt began to gnaw at him.

By ten, the candles burned low with wax dripping down their sides.

Finally, he pulled out his phone and dialed.

On the first ring, there was no answer.

He tried again, but there was still no answer.

Three times. Still silence.

On the fourth attempt, the call connected, but it wasn’t Sophia’s voice.

“Hello?” A man’s chuckle drifted through the line.

“Looking for Sophia? Hold on, she’s right here.”

Brandon froze.

His blood ran cold.

“Who is this? Isn’t this… Sophia’s number?”

The man laughed again, louder this time, before calling out, “Sophia, sweetheart, your husband is on the line.”

His tone was intimate and mocking.

There was a shuffle, then Sophia’s voice came through, clipped and irritated.

“Brandon, why are you calling me during work hours? I told you not to disturb me when I’m busy.”

Brandon swallowed, trying to steady his voice.

“Sophia, it’s late. I just wanted to say I prepared something for us tonight. A candlelit dinner, just the two of us. Your mother isn’t home, so it could have been… our evening.”

Sophia sighed impatiently.

“Brandon, honestly. I don’t have time for this nonsense. My company is hosting a celebration banquet tonight. Investors, board members, the media would be present. It’s important. I won’t be back until morning, so don’t bother waiting up.”

Before he could respond, the line went dead.

Brandon stared at the phone as her words echoed in his head.

He set it down slowly, dissapointed and dejected.

Just then, his phone vibrated with a new notification.

It was a video.

Without wasting time, Brandon opened it.

On the screen, Sophia stood in the center of a glittering banquet hall with a stranger’s arm draped possessively around her.

The man was tall and handsome. He had the kind of easy charm that drew attention effortlessly.

Laughter and cheers rose from the crowd as he knelt on one knee, producing a small velvet box.

Brandon’s breath caught in his throat.

The man slid a sparkling ring onto Sophia’s finger and her cheeks flushed with excitement as she smiled.

The crowd clapped as she nodded her acceptance.

The camera zoomed closer, capturing the moment their lips met.

The kiss was long, intimate, and unmistakable, making the crowd roar.

Brandon’s hands shook.

“No… no, this can’t be…”

He dialed Sophia again, desperate for her to answer.

He needed to hear the truth directly from her lips.

But this time, the call didn’t go through. Her phone had been switched off.

Brandon sank into the chair by the empty table.

He wanted to believe in her still, but the video burned in his mind.

*******

Across town, in a softly lit suite, Sophia lay in Ryan Cooper’s arms—the same man from the video and the call.

Her head rested on his chest while he lazily traced patterns on her arm.

“Why didn’t you wear the ring tonight?” Ryan asked.

Sophia stiffened slightly, then shifted.

“It’s not the right time. I haven’t finalized my divorce yet. Wearing it openly would only cause trouble.”

Ryan tilted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“And when will that be? How long do you plan to keep me waiting?”