Chapter 48
Chapter 48
VENUS
I hold Dorian’s gaze.
That smile-it’s not curiosity. It’s a dare. The kind people wear when they’re watching someone walk a tightrope in scissors -for-shoes.
My heart pounds like war drums. But my spine? Iron. I stare him down, unblinking.
“I was born in Queens,” I begin calm and controlled.
“I worked two jobs, earned scholarships, and graduated top of my class p>
A beat of silence.
“I’ve bled for everything I have. I didn’t come from wealth, but I’m not here to impress you with lineage. I’m here because I’m competent. Because Aaron chose me p>
Dorian leans back, smile widening. “Where’d you go to college p>
Like it’s some kind of interview.
“City University of New York p>
Richard scoffs. Caroline leans in, her tone all sugar-laced venom.
“But surely you don’t believe competence and… romantic proximity are enough to advise the CEO of a billion-dollar empire p>
God, I hate that woman p>
Aaron steps forward, jaw tight, but I raise a hand. This fight is mine.
“No,” I say, meeting her gaze. “But I do believe every empire worth a damn is built on risk. Aaron saw mine and took it. If that rattles you, maybe you’re in the wrong room p>
That shuts her up-for about three seconds.
“In all that little sob story, you forgot to mention your parents,” she presses.
Ah. So she knows.
I hesitate, just for a second-then I remember what Aaron told me on our first date: we don’t choose our parents.
Before I can speak, Richard cuts in.
“Your father’s a textbook drunk,” he sneers. “And your mother was admitted for cancer p>
Aaron’s jaw twitches.
Dorian follows up, his smile now gone. “Aaron needed to get married, and suddenly-poof-you’re married. Your mother gets treatment. He gets a wife p>
Then the dagger.
“Didn’t it occur to you that marrying a drunkard’s daughter might ruin the company’s image, Aaron p>
The air goes still. The insult echoes.
Aaron steps forward p>
“What is this, a review of her personal life?” His voice is ice. Controlled. Dangerous.
“She’s mine. And you-” he turns to Dorian, then sweeps his gaze across the table- “you all will refrain from insulting her or asking about her past again p>
“The will required I marry. I did. You now have a CEO. It’s me p>
A beat of silence. And then-
“It is our concern,” a man interjects, tone clipped. “Because your marriage must last three years for your position to be permanent p>
A quiet falls-sharp, humming with unspoken truth.
Aaron’s voice is steel. “That’s my burden. Not yours p>
But Richard doesn’t let go.
Successfully unlocked!
“It is our problem. And until that requirement is fulfilled. Ingon Jon Dorian to serve as interim CEO. For market stability p>
Of course he would. Supporting his firstborn-the golden boy.
1/3
Chapter 48
“Not again,” Connor groans beside me, rubbing his temples. The whole circus giving him a migraine.
“I agree,” Caroline adds, lips painted with concern so fake it glitters.
And that’s the spark.
The boardroom erupts.
Shouting. Accusations. Outrage masquerading as strategy.
Some stand, fists on the table. Others recline, smug, watching their chaos unfold like planned theater.
“This is a hostile takeover p>
“We’re thinking of the company’s future p>
“Aaron hasn’t proven anything p>
“Dorian isn’t even p>
It’s a corporate bloodbath.
But Aaron?
He doesn’t shout.
Doesn’t flinch.
Doesn’t even blink.
His fingers tap once-measured on the polished table. The sound rings louder than the screaming.
He scans the room. One glance per traitor. Each look a silent bullet.
Dorian’s name floats like a lifeline-one he’s not even grabbing. He stays quiet, arms crossed, jaw tight. Letting the noise do the dirty work.
But Aaron…
Aaron moves.
He circles the room-slow, controlled. A king watching peasants fight over a throne they’ll never touch.
He stops behind Richard.
“You want to hand the company to him?” His voice is silk-wrapped steel. “A man who’s built nothing. Risked nothing p>
Richard opens his mouth.
Aaron talks over him.
“I’ve negotiated deals while your hands were too shaky to sign your name. Don’t test me p>
He glides behind Caroline. Pauses.
“I’d worry less about my marriage-and more about your investments in our competitors. Unless you’d prefer that information go public p>
Caroline pales.
Aaron continues. Stops behind Dorian’s chair.
He doesn’t speak. Just places a hand on the leather. Casual. Possessivé.
Dorian finally looks up. That smug expression? Cracking.
“You think you’ve won,” Aaron murmurs, voice low and meant only for him. “But you forgot one thing p>
A pause. Dorian lifts a brow.
Aaron leans in.
“I don’t lose. I dismantle p>
Then-BOOM.
Aaron slams his hand flat on the table. The noise slices the room in half.
Silence. Immediate. Absolute.
He straightens. Eyes sweeping the board like a warlord choosing who survives.
“You’re shareholders. Not monarchs. You don’t crown kings-you profit off them p>
A beat.
“You want to challenge me? Fine. But make it personal again-and I’ll make your seats bleed p>
2/3
Chapter 48
No one moves.
Even the AC sounds nervous.
Then Aaron looks at me.
Not for comfort. Not for validation.
And in that second, every person in that room knows-
He already won.
3/3
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.