44 (Lucian’s POV) Steel Corporation
Lucian
I arrived at the office earlier than usual, wanting time to clear out my old desk and move into my father’s office. It didn’t take long-I never kept much. I was efficient, always expecting change.
The top-floor office was just as pristine and powerful as I remembered. The skyline stretched out through floor-to-ceiling glass. It almost looked like there was no glass-just air and height. I walked across the room slowly, letting it sink in.
This space, this view… it was mine now.
My eyes landed on the only thing that truly mattered in the room: my mother’s portrait. It hung beautifully on the far wall. Martha had tried, more than once, to convince my father to take it down. He never did. And now I understood why.
I was still admiring it when the door opened.
Lacy.
She walked in holding a stack of files, looking too confident for someone who shouldn’t be here at all.
I stood still, jaw tight.
“What the f**k are you doing here?” I asked, voice sharp.
She blinked and gave me a nervous smile. “I’m a temp. Your secretary called in sick. HR asked me to fill in-
just for the day.”
I narrowed my eyes. My patience thinned instantly.
“Did I not make it crystal clear that I don’t want you working on my floor?” I asked. “Did you tell HR how I’d feel
about this?”
Her eyes started to glisten. Classic. Martha’s little theatrics-cry first, play innocent later.
“Please, Mr. Nighthorn,” she said softly. “I don’t have any ulterior motives. I just want to do a good job.”
“Oh, I’m sure,” I muttered, stepping behind the desk and picking up the receiver.
I called HR directly. They took their time answering, but when they did, I didn’t waste words.
“I want Miss Lacy removed from my floor. Immediately. Send up another temp. Thank you.”
I hung up.
Lacy looked crushed, but I felt nothing.
“Mr. Nighthorn,” she tried again, voice cracking. “I know you don’t like my aunt, but I’ve done nothing to you. Just give me a chance.”
I stared at her. Cold. Detached.
“I’m not firing you,” I said flatly. “If you’re here to actually work, then be content with whatever desk they give you. But you don’t belong in this office, and you never will.”
Her hands trembled slightly as she set the files on the table.
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<44 (Lucian’s POV) Steel Corporation
“Now leave,” I said. “Close the door behind you.”
She did.
The second she was gone, I exhaled-slow and deep-and looked back at my mother’s picture.
You would’ve liked Mara, I thought. And you’d be proud I didn’t let anyone play me today.
Because today, I wasn’t just the CEO.
I was a husband.
And I had a date with my wife to go house hunting.
Real life. Real love.
No distractions.
My father was too blinded by love-or whatever he thought he had with Martha-to see the obvious.
People don’t change overnight. Not genuinely. And Martha? She was up to something. She always was.
The thought that someone might be watching me wasn’t just unsettling-it was dangerous. Because whoever it was, they weren’t doing it with good intentions. I needed to be careful. Smarter.
I had everything to lose now, while Martha and her golden son had everything to gain.
I sat at my desk, forcing the thoughts to the back of my mind as I sorted through the files Lacy had brought
in earlier.
The new temp-who replaced her after I made the call-was efficient, professional, and thankfully silent.
We got through the stack quickly, and by early afternoon, I was back to house hunting on my computer.
I hadn’t told my father about the move yet. Or that I’d encouraged Mara to enroll in medical school part-time.
I knew he’d approve of her studying-but moving out? That would sting. He liked having control. Liked the
illusion of a “unified” Nighthorn family.
But I wasn’t going to let Mara suffer in that house. Not like I had. Not under Martha’s shadow, and certainly
not under Darian’s bitterness.
I needed to protect her. That wasn’t just a promise I made-it was instinct.
The intercom buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Mr. Nighthorn, Mr. Northwood is here for the two o’clock meeting. Should I let him in?”
I checked the schedule. Shipment discussion. Right.
“Let him in.”
Moments later, the door opened and Mr. Northwood walked in with the same smug air his daughter carried around like perfume.
He looked at me, confused. “Where’s your father?”
“At the mansion,” I said without flinching.
“So you’re filling in for him today?” he asked, skipping even a basic greeting.
And now I understood where Tiffany got her charm.
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44 (Lucians For
I leaned back in my chair and kept my voice cool. “Do you mind getting straight to the point? I have an appointment shortly.”
He blinked, taken aback. Offended, probably. But I didn’t care.
I wasn’t my father.
And I wasn’t playing nice with anyone who looked at me like I didn’t belong behind this desk.
“I need to speak with your father,” Mr. Northwood insisted.
I nodded, calm. “Very well. But just in case you missed the memo-/ own this company now. My father has stepped down. Steel Corp is mine. If you’re here to discuss business, you talk to me. If you’re looking to discuss pack matters, he’s still at the Nighthorn mansion. I’m sure he’ll give you an audience.”
His eyebrows shot up. “He gave you the company?”
I didn’t bother responding. Let the silence say everything.
“I thought Darian would take over,” he muttered, more to himself than me. “Martha said he’d be next…”
And there it was. The truth breaking through his delusion.
I laughed. Couldn’t help it.
“She played you, Mr. Northwood,” I said, smiling. “Steel Corp was never hers to promise. It belonged to
Natasha Nighthorn-my mother. And now it belongs to me.”
し
His face turned red. All the unspoken plans, backroom conversations, and assumptions falling apart right in
front of him.
I leaned back slightly. “Now… do you still want to discuss the shipment? Or should we reschedule for when you’re less disappointed?”
He hesitated, clearly shaken, but eventually sat down across from me.
“Forgive my manners, Lucian,” he said stiffly. “It’s just… we expected our families would be joined. With Tiffany marrying Darian and all.”
He clearly hadn’t gotten the other memo.
I leaned forward, elbows on the desk. “So Tiffany didn’t tell you?”
He frowned. “Tell me what?”
“There won’t be a wedding. Not yet. Not until we’re sure the baby is Darian’s. That means after the birth. The only way they’ll marry sooner is if Darian stops denying the child is his.”
Mr Northwood stiffened, visibly uncomfortable now. His pride cracked right in front of me.
He sighed and looked around the office, suddenly not so confident.
Welcome to reality.
