106 I said It
Mara
Despite everything I knew about Alpha Vander, I was still stunned by the venom in his words. There was no mistaking his intent. This wasn’t concern. This wasn’t about business. This was about control–and keeping Martha happy.
That was the part I couldn’t wrap my head around: that a man once feared and revered by many would threaten his son’s marriage, his Luna, just to pacify a woman who had already done so much damage. He was choosing her side again–always her side.
As much as I believed in Lucian–believed in us–I knew better than to get careless. A wedge between father and son, if forced too wide, could hurt more than either of us were prepared for. And with Martha already set against me, I didn’t need Alpha Vander turning into another enemy.
But I wasn’t going to back down either.
I held his gaze. Long. Unblinking. And for a flicker of a second, something shifted in his eyes. His posture softened–barely–and I knew he felt it: the weight of what he’d just said.
He looked away first.
“Do as I’ve said, Mara,” he ordered, but his voice was no longer as firm.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Lacy smirking. Subtle. Smug. As if this entire conversation had confirmed everything she hoped for.
And right then, I was done being diplomatic.
f**k being nice. This girl is going down.
I turned back to Alpha Vander, my voice calm–icy, even.
“As I said, I have no issue with your threats. If you want your son to throw me out, that’s your prerogative. And
if Lucian agrees, I won’t fight it. But he still needs to approve Lacy working with Mary. That’s company
protocol. I’m just a placeholder, remember?”
My tone stayed cool. Measured. Unshakable.
“I am insignificant. Replaceable. I don’t make decisions. I don’t even suggest them. If tomorrow Lucian decides I’m no longer worthy of this position or of him, so be it. That’s not my call. But thank you, Alpha Vander, for reminding me where I stand in your eyes–and how conditional your affection is.”
That landed. I saw it hit.
He didn’t speak right away. Just stood there, the weight of his own words curling around him like smoke. Eventually, he turned away from the window and began to pace the office slowly, more thoughtful than
before.
“You don’t have to worry,” I added. “I won’t tell Lucian what you said in here. But if you want to go through with your threats, I won’t stop you.”
He stopped mid–step. Looked at me.
1061 said h
“Why don’t you like Lacy?” he asked.
I raised an eyebrow. “May I speak freely?”
He nodded.
I didn’t hesitate.
“Well,” I began, eyes steady on his, “she’s older than me, clearly, though you say otherwise. Fine, I won’t argue
that.”
I let the next words fall deliberately.
“But she’s not related to Lucian. Not by blood. Not by bond. And I’ve seen the way she looks at him–every time. The way she flirts, touches his arm, tries to draw him in. It’s disrespectful. She’s never respected me, Alpha. Never has. Never will. And more than that–she’s Martha’s niece. The same Martha who helped Daniel Northwood siphon millions from this company. With zero consequence.”
His jaw clenched.
“And Martha?” I continued, “She’s desperate. She’s looking for money because she’s been paying off a
blackmailer.”
That made him blink. Confused. Defensive.
“For how long?” he asked, voice rising.
“Twenty–three years,” I said.
He exploded. “What?”
Lacy’s voice cut through the tension, shrill and desperate. “That’s a lie–she’s lying, Uncle-”
“Enough,” he snapped, spinning toward her. “Quiet.”
I didn’t flinch. I pressed on.
our w
“She and Lacy intercepted Lucian and me on our way to the holiday house. She begged Lucian for help–told him she’d been paying someone for twenty–three years, and she was drowning. Lucian said no. He told her to confess to you. She took offense.”
I met his gaze head–on.
“That’s why she’s been stealing, Alpha. I have her bank records–two years‘ worth of massive transfers to an offshore shell company named Lambshed. She pleaded with Lucian not to tell you. That’s the only reason he’s stayed silent–he hoped she’d come clean. But now you understand why I can’t have her niece anywhere near this office. Not near Mary. Not near any sensitive information. If Mary needs help, I’ll hire someone vetted, qualified, and accountable, Someone with no immunity if they betray us.”
Alpha Vander didn’t say a word. He simply sank onto the couch like the air had left his lungs. He looked pale. Shaken. A man who just realized he’d been sleeping beside a stranger for over two decades.
“Should I call the medical staff?” asked gently.
He shook his head and loosened his tie with a trembling hand.
Behind him, Lacy started again. “Uncle, she’s lying–she’s just trying to ruin me-
“Shut up!” he barked, his voice breaking.
He stared at her, his enger now full whe rew “wow dare you at you as a dower ta sha maghe be intense But she’s never tied to the 1 batuge tub
Then he turned to me
“Call HR. I want Lacy’s appointment terminata tradurry
The shift was so sharp, it slmost made me laugh Almost But kept my compute faimly picked up the
phone
“Yes. Please send someone from HR to my office now We have a damigeal to process
As I hung up, I glanced at Lacy, who now stood frozen in this corner, her snirkling genk
And for the first time since they walked in, I felt something cold and satisfying settle in my chest
Checkmate
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