Chapter 4 How To Treat An Heiress

-Lucien-

I shouldn't have been there.

I wasn't family, at least not in any way that mattered. I didn't even know why I was here. All I knew was, my father, Reginald, sent a car and a schedule, and now I was watching a crisis unfold that had nothing to do with me.

Except maybe it did.

Now, I stood in the Ashford study, leaning against a bookshelf like I had nowhere else to be, arms crossed, jaw tight. Downstairs, the guest waited in confusion.

The room reeked of wealth and dust with the heavy furnishings squeezing life out of the space.

Patricia Ashford sat in a velvet chair like it was a throne, her drink in one hand, her personal doctor standing just behind her. Already he had informed the room that she had fainted out of shock. Maybe he was still here because he knew what was coming.

James Ashford-her son, I think, occupied the couch beside her, trying to make himself invisible. It was almost impressive how still he was. Like a ghost in a suit.

Vanessa Ashford sat on the armrest, legs crossed, perfume thick in the air. She didn't look at me, but I knew she was watching. Quiet. Calculating. Dangerous.

My half-brother, Paul, was by the liquor tray, refilling a glass he hadn't touched. He wouldn't meet my eyes. He never did.

Colin stood by the fireplace, hands buried in his pockets. The news of his illegitimate uncle stealing his fiancée was already plastered across blogs. I could see it in the tightness of his shoulders, he was barely holding it together.

And then there was my father, seated across Patricia like he was the second head of the room.

Paul finally broke the silence. "She embarrassed us in front of everyone. The media, investors, even the mayor was here."

Reginald didn't even blink. "It's not the embarrassment. It's the unpredictability."

"I don't know what she was thinking," Patricia added. The board was watching. The partners were watching. That little show she pulled was a slap on our faces," she said, flatly. "She stood in front of the world and humiliated this family."

"She's confused," Colin added. Overwhelmed. I'll speak to her, explain things. She'll fall back in line."

Paul nodded quickly. "We say she was stressed. That she fainted. Give her a public apology to read. Spin it into strength. She's a survivor now."

Vanessa spoke next, her voice smooth. "The world forgives women when they're pretty, and just broken enough to be entertaining."

It was like they were reading off a crisis PR checklist. Was this how an heiress was treated?

I exhaled slowly. My hands were itching, but I didn't know if it was frustration or boredom or both. I was here because Celeste called my name, dragging me into this mess.

As if on cue, the door opened, and she walked in, holding her chin higher than it should have been after the chaos she caused. The faint bruise on her cheek was still there. She hadn't covered it.

Everyone froze as she looked at each of them, then straight at me.

It was fast, just a splitting second, but I felt it. Like she knew me. Like she'd planned this.

I didn't know this girl, not really. I'd seen photos, maybe heard her name at a dinner I wasn't supposed to be invited to. That was it. She wasn't my type. Too polished. Too careful. Welded by high society. I didn't look at girls like her twice. Or at all.

Before I could fathom anything, Patricia rose to her feet, sending another slap across the same cheek. In a second, the doctor was by her side. "You insolent brat!" She snapped. "Do you realize the weight of what you've done?!"

Reginald added, "From the moment I saw her in that dress, I knew there was a malfunction."

I didn't plan to speak, but I did. "Malfunction?" I scoffed. "She's not a robot, Reginald, she's a person!" I snapped.

The room turned toward me like I'd fired a gun. Even Celeste.

"You weren't invited to speak." Reginald's jaw twitched.

Celeste stepped forward. "No. But I choose him."

Paul laughed. "Lucien? You can't be serious. He's nothing."

"I'm not marrying Colin," she told them firmly.

"You're overwhelmed," Colin stepped forward, reaching for her hands. You've been planning this party for the longest time. You're not thinking straight-"

She flinched his hands, cutting him off. "I'm not confused. I'm just done pretending."

Then she looked at me again. "You told me once to choose you," she said. "I didn't forget."

I didn't know what she meant. We had never spoken until today. Until now. But I didn't look away. I should have denied it. Let them call her insane, and detach myself from this madness. But I didn't.

I looked right at her. Then at Colin, whose face had turned red with fury. "She's made her choice," I said. "And so have I."

Silence.

Paul was the first to react. "This is ridiculous. You're a mistake we've tolerated long enough. You don't get to claim anything."

Reginald's voice was low. "Step back, Lucien. Don't make this worse."

Colin's hands curled into fists. "She's my fiancée."

"No," Celeste said. "I was your fiancée. Past tense."

He stared at her like he didn't recognize her anymore. "You think he's better? You don't even know him. He's a nobody grubbing off the Blackwell name!"

Vanessa stood. "Celeste, dear. Think of what this would do to your father and me. The Group, the Blackwell-"

"Save your antiques for the press, Vanessa."

Bold. I smirked inwardly.

Without warning, she stepped forward, grabbing my hand firmly. I didn't pull away. Couldn't.

At the same time, Colin moved, meaning to grab her-but I met his eyes. He didn't take another. "Touch her," I said. "And I'll tear this whole empire down."

"With what? A sedan and a 9-5?" he retorted, eyes flashing with defiance.

I smirked, stepping closer. "Be careful of what you say, Colin. It would take far less than that to bring you down."

His jaw twitched. That hit a nerve.

Celeste squeezed my hand, and this time, I let her lead me out. Allowing the weight of their gaze to trail behind.

We had just started something none of them could ignore. And whether I was ready or not, I was in the middle of it now.