Chapter 4 The Rival Bid

paced back and forth, exhaustion dragging at every muscle in my body after the torment I endured at work, yet my mind refused to settle. I had stayed late to finish the remaining tasks, unable to utter a single word ever since I heard that name.

He had already made his move.

And it was my fault.

I was the one who handed him the final key to reach the Thornes.

Criminal. That was exactly what I felt like nothing but a criminal.

My steps halted abruptly. I leaned my head against the wall as a broken sob crawled up my throat. My fist slammed into the wall again and again, each hit fueled by frustration. "Why... why? Just WHY?"

Why was I so weak? Why couldn't I stand up to him even once?

Because he had shaped me that way.

From the day I discovered he was seeing other women behind my mother's back, I became his enemy. From the day he first struck me, I became his puppet. From the day I started hiding his secrets from my mom, I became his obedient little stepdaughter.

On that one day, when I surrendered every string to him, he wrapped them around his fingers and controlled me for years. He struck me countless times, threatening to erase me from existence. And when I finally grew older grew braver enough to push back fate turned me into an orphan.

My mother never saw the monster she welcomed into our home. No one did. I never told anyone. I didn't want people to see me as small, helpless, or someone so easy to break.

And look where that silence led me life dragged me straight back into the same nightmare, and once again, I failed to muster the strength to fight.

A shrill ringing snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. I wiped my face and grabbed my phone. A smile flickered when I saw the name on the screen; Jane, my attorney and dear friend. If anyone could offer some sort of good news to brighten my collapsing world, it would be her.

"Hey, J," I answered, my voice rough and worn-out.

"Seraphina..." Her voice faded, making my brows pinch together.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Don't get so tense. I'm just... sorry I haven't been able to do anything yet." She tried to sound casual, but the hesitation behind her words was obvious-too obvious to miss.

"That's not everything. What are you hiding?" Jane was one of the strongest lawyers in the city, yet even she was powerless when it came to him, Creed.

"I don't want to pile more stress on you."

"You know it'll be even worse if you don't tell me."

She sighed in defeat. "Fine. I have two pieces of news for you, one good, one bad. Which do you want first?"

"The good one?"

"Ryan got beat up by his wife." She burst into laughter, pulling a small chuckle from me too.

But the moment faded quickly. "And the bad news?"

"Well..." She paused. Long enough for me to think the call had dropped. Then her voice returned, low and heavy. "Creed has them guarded like prisoners."

"What?"

My heart dropped. He couldn't do that to the elders. Their minds were fragile; this would shatter them.

"They can't leave, can't do anything without permission. He even cut off my visiting hours completely."

A hot surge of anger ignited deep inside me, spreading like fire through my veins. The room around me seemed to fall silent, swallowed by the roaring in my head. Only my ragged breathing filled the dark space.

"I'll talk to you later, Jane. Take care."

"Seraphina, don't you"

I hung up before she could finish.

All I saw was red.

Bright, furious red.

How could he do this after I had done everything he demanded?

I dialed his number, waiting through the slow, infuriating rings.

No answer.

I tried again.

And again.

And again.

Each attempt met with the same silence until my patience snapped and I hurled the phone onto the mattress with all my strength. It was late. That bastard was probably asleep resting comfortably while those elderly people suffered... while I unraveled.

A string of curses tore through my mind before sleep finally pulled me under, too.

Warmth brushed over my skin, soft and coaxing, slowly dissolving the darkness that had held me. I blinked groggily, immediately shielding my face with a hand as sunlight speared straight into my eyes.

It was bright. Too bright.

I turned to the clock on my bedside table and shot upright so fast the room spun violently. There were only twenty minutes left before work began. Twenty minutes until the IL project meeting.

Oh, for fuck's sake!

The next ten minutes vanished in a chaotic blur. I flew through my morning routine, showered at lightning speed, and threw on the first outfit my hands landed on a V-neck blouse paired with a pencil skirt.

If anyone had been keeping time, I could've secured the Guinness World Record.

My phone rang just as I climbed into my car. It was Mr. Cortez.

"Ms. Vale, where are you? The meeting begins in seven minutes."

"I'm almost there," I lied without shame. Everyone lied about their location; it was practically human nature. Praying I wouldn't be late, I tore through the streets, no doubt breaking more traffic laws than I could count.

When my heels finally tapped onto the marble floor of Vancouver Co., the clock struck nine. I didn't even wait for the girl at the elevator to move aside. I slipped in ahead of her, muttered an apologetic smile, and jabbed the button. Leaning on the gold wall, I tried to steady my breathing while the floor numbers blinked higher and higher.

Just as the nineteenth-floor doors parted, my heart resumed its frantic sprint right before I slammed straight into him. And by him, I meant him.

A sharp gasp escaped me as my body collided with his, my face smacking directly into his rock-solid chest. Pain shot through my nose.

Fantastic. Just fantastic.

I straightened quickly, clutching my throbbing nose then froze. I had just rammed into Jaxon Thorne. His gray eyes narrowed frostily beneath taut brows, his jaw clenched hard. He hadn't budged from the impact at all.

"Sorry!" I squeaked.

His lips thinned, and he continued glaring daggers at me. Not a word, just pure, cold warning.

Before he could incinerate me on the spot, the door beside us swung open and Mr. Cortez appeared. "Ms. Vale, you made it." His gaze shifted. "Sir, everyone is waiting for you."

With a curt nod, Mr. Thorne walked in though not without striking me with another icy glare.

Timidly, I trailed behind him. But the moment I lifted my eyes, my heart dropped and anger surged through me like wildfire.

Creed stood across the conference table, flanked by his entourage. My gaze darted to Mr. Thorne, who calmly shook hands with Mr. Vancouver, intentionally ignoring his rival.

Creed's lips curved into a smirk when he spotted me. He wasn't here just for business. He was here to steal exactly what Thorne wanted.

Before anyone noticed my shift in demeanor, I forced myself to regain composure and sat beside Mr. Cortez. My heart hammered, but more than fear, the urge to punch Creed made my fists curl. The glare I shot him hopefully delivered the message loud and clear.

Mr. Vancouver cleared his throat. "Mr. Thorne, I believe you know Mr. Creed. He has also shown interest in the project."

With uninterested ease, Mr. Thorne gave Creed the slightest nod, irritating him instantly.

"Then let's begin. Mr. Thorne, you'll present first."

On cue, I stood, grabbed my laptop, and walked to the front with confidence. I had done this countless times and I would make sure this one was unforgettable.

Watch your back, Creed.

I connected the laptop to the projector as the room's lights dimmed. After introducing myself, I began. The next ten minutes flowed smoothly. When the lights brightened again, several impressed expressions made my chest swell with satisfaction.

Even Thorne's face held the faintest upward curve.

Creed's, however, darkened.

"Excellent!" Mr. Vancouver clapped.

I thanked him and sat down, grabbing the glass of water to soothe my dry throat. As Creed's assistant walked past me to present, my chair jerked suddenly sending the glass flying out of my hands. Cold water splashed across my blouse.

What the actual hell?

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, Ms. Vale! I didn't mean to," she squealed in that shrill voice, but I caught the mockery hidden behind her apology.

Witch.

"It's fine," I said flatly, accepting tissues from Mr. Cortez and wiping myself dry. Just wait until Thorne won the deal-I wanted to see the look on their smug faces then.

But fate clearly despised me.

"Ms. Vale," Thorne's voice cut through the room. "You may wait outside."

What? Why? "Sir-"

"Leave."

No room for argument. No explanation.

Heat crawled up my neck as humiliation stabbed me. I bit my lip and walked out, leaving behind two self-satisfied smirks.

How could he do that? He was no better than Creed. Ungrateful, cold-hearted jerk.

Still fuming, I asked a nearby employee for directions to the washroom he stared at me far too eagerly, which should've been my first clue. I slammed the door shut and turned toward the mirror.

And froze.

My blouse white, already thin, had turned completely transparent. My red bra was boldly on display.

My cheeks flamed. My ears burned.

How in the hell did I not notice?

Then it hit me this was why Thorne had sent me out. And why that man had stared at me like that.

I squeezed my eyes shut. I wanted to fall through the floor or be buried alive.

Grabbing more tissues, I tried drying the fabric, but it didn't help much in this summer heat. Eventually, I managed to make it somewhat presentable and hurried back late, no doubt.

I was rounding the corner when someone yanked my arm, dragging me behind a wall.

I looked up, teeth clenched. "Creed, you bas-"

His expression was cold. "Seems like you don't care about those poor seniors as much as you claim."

"What would you know about love?" I spat, though my heart raced. Still, I knew he wouldn't dare touch me here. I wasn't a child anymore and we were in a public hallway.

"I know plenty. Enough to do whatever it takes to secure my empire, something you clearly don't understand."

"After everything I've done, you still dare say that? What have you done? You locked those elders away after promising you wouldn't harm them," I hissed. Fury roared through me.

"And I kept my word," he replied smoothly. "I didn't lay a hand on them. But..." His tone darkened. "...if you keep acting the way you are, sweetheart, I'd suggest you say your goodbyes soon."

His dark eyes bored into mine before he walked off, leaving a fresh wave of terror behind.

My hands trembled. Sweat dotted my forehead.

Why couldn't I remember that I was the weak link? That one slip of temper could get people hurt? Why couldn't I just be the obedient little puppet he molded?

Seconds later, hearing footsteps approach, I straightened myself and stepped out only to collide with a towering figure.

Mr. Thorne.

His steely gray eyes swept over me, assessing my state. Without a word, he shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it across my shoulders. He pulled both sides together and fastened the button while I stood frozen, staring up at him.

My breath caught as he leaned closer. His minty breath and masculine scent washed over me, sending my heart into a frenzy.

"Next time," he murmured, "remember not to wear red during working hours."

Straightening, he turned and walked away.