Chapter 3 3

Ervin didn't answer immediately, he leaned forward, the leather of the sofa creaking under his weight.

"Do you know what happens to people who try to leverage me with my own problems?" Ervin asked.

A chill ran down Kailee's spine, she ignored it, she forced the corners of her mouth up.

"It's not leverage, Mr. Hendricks. It's a merger."

She pulled out a folded document."A copy of my trust agreement, outlining the share transfer. And the contact for my lawyer, who can draw up the terms before the ceremony ends."

Ervin took the paper. His fingers brushed hers-his skin was rough, calloused. He scanned the document in the low light.

A spasm of pain shot through his left leg, his jaw tightened. The tremor was microscopic, but Kailee saw it.

He crushed the cigar into the crystal ashtray.

"If this is a lie," Ervin said, his voice low, "I will make you wish you had never been born."

"Deal," Kailee said.

Ervin picked up the internal phone on the side table. "Get my tuxedo. The black velvet."

Viktor's eyes widened. He looked from his boss to the woman in the wedding dress. "Sir?"

"We have a wedding to attend," Ervin said.

Kailee let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Her knees felt like water. She locked them, forcing herself to stand tall.

Ten minutes later, Ervin stood up. He was massive, towering over her, he extended his arm.

"Take it," he commanded. "If we are doing this, we are doing it."

Kailee placed her hand on his forearm, the muscle beneath the velvet jacket was hard as rock.

They walked to the elevator.

"Your nephew is still livestreaming," Kailee said, checking her phone as the numbers counted down. "Twelve thousand viewers."

"Good," Ervin said. "Let him dig the grave deeper."

The elevator doors opened on the ballroom level.

The flashbulbs hit them like a physical blow.

The murmur of the crowd died instantly.

They saw Kailee Lynn, and they saw the man on her arm. Not Julian.

Ervin Hendricks. The head of the family, the man who ate companies for breakfast.

Ervin didn't look at the crowd, he looked straight ahead, his face a mask of arrogant indifference. He led Kailee through the parted sea of guests.

A glass shattered on the floor. One of Julian's friends dropped his champagne flute.

His phone was in his hand, he was typing frantically. Julian, you are dead. Your uncle just stole your wife.

Kailee felt the eyes on her skin. Judgment. Confusion. Fear. She lifted her chin.

They reached the stage. The officiant looked like he wanted to faint.

Ervin let go of Kailee's arm, he stepped to the microphone. He grabbed the stand, his knuckles distinct.

"Due to the default of the junior partner," Ervin's voice boomed through the speakers, deep and resonant.

He looked out at the crowd, his gaze landing on the empty seat where his nephew should have been.

"The terms of the merger have been amended. The ceremony will proceed with the new principal."