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CHAPTER 73
The living room of Clara’s mansion was filled with domestic activities. Clara perched on the edge of the silk sofa, with a wine glass dangling from her fingers. Mason stood at the window, with his back to her, staring into the darkness as if searching for an answer in the shadows.“Annette,” Clara called out sharply enough to make the young maid flinch. “Jasper has been asking for a story for ten minutes. Are you waiting for a written invitation? Go. Now.”“Yes, ma’am. Right away.” The maid scurried from the room with relief in his eyes.The moment the door clicked shut, the tense silence in the room snapped. Clara turned sharply to Mason’s back.“Well? I have been waiting all evening. How did it go with Caleb?”Mason did not turn immediately. He just took a slow sip from his whiskey, in order to let the silence stretch further and turned to face her with his brow furrowed in contemplation.“It was,” he said with a short a sigh. “A qualified disaster.”Clara’s eyes flashed angrily. “W
CHAPTER 72
Later that evening, Caleb did not find Dante in his study, but in the sprawling, book lined library of the mansion. Dante was sitting in a worn leather armchair, a low fire crackling beside him and an open but ignored book in his lap. He was staring at the flames, with the day’s weight etched on his face.“I see even the CEO’s sanctuary has its limits,” Caleb said in a loud voice.Dante looked up, and his eyes softened immediately as he said in surprise, “Caleb, I thought you would be home by now. Drink.”“I think I need one,” Caleb said, as he walked over to the decanter on the sideboard and poured pit two fingers of scotch and sat down on the armchair opposite Dante. Then he said amusedly, “I had a delightful double feature today. First, your favorite lawyer. Then, your favorite fiancé.”Dante’a jaw tightened as he growled under his breathe, “ Peter and Mason. A marched set of vipers. What did they want?”“The usual. To posture, to threaten, and in Mason’s case, to try a truly pathe
CHAPTER 71
The marble lobby of Sterling & Gray, one of the city’s oldest law firms, was a monument to quiet money. Caleb was leaving a court case he had taken care of when a slick, familiar voice stopped him.“Well, of it is not the champion of the underdog. Or should I say, the champion of the has-been trying to be a comeback?”Caleb turned slowly. Peter Wesley leaned against a mahogany panel, with a smirk on his thin lips.“Peter,” Caleb said, keeping his tone neutral. “Collecting extra hours on advising your client on how to lose gracefully? It is a niche.”Peter smirk did not shake. “I advise on winning, Caleb. A concept your current client seems to be only temporarily acquainted with. That little boardroom show was cute. A valiant effort to dress up desperation as diligence. How long do you think he can keep that up Before he cracks under the real pressure?”“The only pressure I see,” Caleb replied, adjusting his cuff link, “is the kind you bill by the hour to create. Dante Vance does not c
CHAPTER 70
The morning after his talk with the informant, Dante’s office at Vertex felt ready for a fight. Caleb was in a chair, looking over legal papers. Liam stood by the desk with a tablet in his hand.“He signed?” Caleb asked without looking up.“He signed,” Drake said as he stared out the window. “The deal is solid. He gives them fake news, and he gives us their real plans.”“Smart move,” Caleb said. “But we are just blocking their punches. We need to throw some of our own.”Dante turned from the window, with his eyes sharp and nodded. “You are right. We do. And Lotus boardroom is where we start. I am calling a special meeting for the shareholders.”Liam looked surprised. “Sir? You just joined. What is the reason?”“The reason is clarity and direction,” Dante said calmly. “Clara is leading with her temper, not her head. The company is shaky. The other owners felt that yesterday. I am going to be the steady hand.”Caleb leaned in. “What will you talk about?”“Not much,” Dante said with a sm
CHAPTER 69
The bell at Crestview Academy chimed and a moment later, children began streaming out the main doors like a burst of confetti. Dante leaned against his car and spotted Daisy immediately. She was not walking, she was skipping, with pink backpack bouncing and a wide smile on her face as she chatted with a little girl beside her.“Daddy!” She yelled as she broke away from her friend and ran straight into his waiting arms.He scooped her up, and spun her around once before settling her on his hip, her familiar weight coming as a huge comfort. Then he asked lovingly, “There is my superstar! How was your day, sweet pea?”“Good! We painted butterflies! And I did not fall once in the gym! Not even a little stumble!” She announced with huge pride.“That is my strong girl,” he said as he kissed her cheek and caught the scent of crayons and childish happiness. “I knew you could do it.”As he buckled her into her seat, his phone buzzed. It was a text from Caleb….At Vertex. In your office with the
CHAPTER 68
The front door opened, which broke off the heavy silence, and Mason entered, leading a tired looking Jasper by the hand. Clara was still in the sitting room, perched on the same chair, with a nearly empty glass of amber liquid held tightly in her grip, and her eyes pinned on the cold fireplace.“We are home,” Mason announced brightly which was too loud for the room’s atmosphere. He glanced at Clara and his charming smile wiped off from his face for a second at her posture. Then he asked with concern in his eyes. “Darling?” What is the problem? Bad day at the office after I left?”Clara looked up slowly and smiled sadly, which did not reach her eyes. Then she replied with a small voice. “No. Nothing.”Mason instinct surged. He turned to a maid hovering nearby. “Take Master Jasper upstairs for his bath and homework, please.” Once the boy had disappeared, Mason crossed the room hurriedly and settled on the sofa beside Clara, pulling her stiff body into a one armed hug.“Come on, my love.
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