Chapter 3

The buzzing in my head from Theo' s grotesque offer hadn't subsided by the time I reached my office at the Miller Wine Group.

My assistant, Clara, looked at me with a mixture of pity and apprehension. "Mr. Miller, there' s... a situation."

"More press?" I sighed, bracing myself.

"No, sir. It' s about a Mr. Chase Ryder."

The name was like a slap. "What about him?"

"He had a small consulting contract with the Cielo Resort. The one in Sonoma we partially own."

Of course, he did. The opportunist. "Had?"

"Yes, sir. Your grandfather' s office called this morning. The contract was terminated, effective immediately."

A small, cold satisfaction bloomed in my chest. "Good."

The phone on Clara' s desk buzzed. "It's Mr. Ryder, sir. He's in the lobby. And he's... loud."

I strode out. Chase was indeed loud, berating the security guard. "Don't you know who I am? I have a meeting! This is an outrage!"

Then Tori swept in, a whirlwind of designer fury. "What is the meaning of this? Chase is with me! How dare you treat him this way!"

She spotted me. "Alex! You did this! You' re firing him because of me? How petty can you be?"

Chase latched onto her. "It's a personal vendetta, babe! He can't stand that you chose real happiness!"

I looked at them, a caricature of righteous indignation. "His contract was terminated for professional reasons. He' s no longer welcome on Miller property."

"Professional reasons?" Tori scoffed. "You' re a vindictive child!"

Later that day, Theo, true to his desperate word, orchestrated a "business meeting."

Morgan Lexington walked into my office. She was nothing like Tori. Her dark hair was pulled back severely, her clothes were functional, expensive but understated. Her eyes were intelligent, assessing.

"Mr. Miller," she said, her voice calm, direct. "My father believes a collaboration between Miller Wines and our sustainable agriculture tech could be mutually beneficial."

The premise was absurd given the circumstances, but as she spoke about her division' s work, her passion and knowledge were undeniable. She was sharp, no-nonsense. I found myself listening, genuinely impressed despite the awkwardness.

"Your work is... interesting, Ms. Lexington," I admitted.

A flicker of something, maybe surprise, crossed her face. "Thank you, Mr. Miller."

The following week, Theo insisted I visit Lexington Tech. "See Morgan in her element! And, well, the other girls will be there. Just... options, Alex. Consider."

I agreed, mostly to see Morgan' s operation.

As we – myself, Morgan, and a visibly uncomfortable Chloe and Emily, dragged along by their father – walked through the gleaming, ultra-modern lobby of Lexington Tech, we found Chase Ryder again.

This time, he was theatrically arguing with building security, trying to get past the turnstiles. "I need to see Tori! She' s expecting me!"

Tori arrived, a storm cloud in Prada. "What is going on here? Let him through! Do you want to lose your jobs?"

The security guards looked flustered.

Morgan stepped forward, her voice cutting through Tori' s tirade. "Actually, Tori, they' re following protocol. Mr. Ryder is not an employee and doesn' t have an appointment with anyone in an official capacity."

Tori whirled on her. "Who do you think you are?"

"Someone who understands corporate security, for one," Morgan said coolly. "And someone Dad is increasingly relying on to manage... volatile assets."

She glanced at Tori. "He' s been discussing your extended sabbatical, you know. Effective immediately."

Tori' s jaw dropped. "Sabbatical? What are you talking about?"

Morgan' s smile was faint, almost invisible. "To pursue your... authentic life. Unfettered by corporate responsibilities."

The air crackled with unspoken threats. Morgan Lexington was no pushover.