His Beautiful Ruin

ent complet

caught in her th

n. The old, unspoken accusation-that the stepson was stealing the empire from the rightf

ned forward, his voice dropping

need an heir." Victor held Lucien's stare, refusing to yield a single inch.

who had bought his loyalt

o you want from me?"

to the future of this company,"

e crystal and porcelain. Not a request. Not

world that once had no reason to accept him-every luxury was a stark entry in an invisible, unforgiving led

il

nd placed her trembling hand over Victor's

n't do it harshly, but there wa

ragile warmth she'd tried to build fading ben

repaying what Victor had given his mother, then refusing wasn't an option. But letting Victor choose meant surrender

mediately w

g into Erik's conversations, whose presence had somehow become impossible to ignore. He had

secure his throne, he wou

and met his father's unyielding stare.

es narrowed

dy have

kground hum of the esta

, utterly stun

at before dissolving into genui

laugh. "Why didn't you tell me?" There was

owever, Erik had go

his wineglass. His usual effortless, golden-boy composure fractured at the edges. His gaze darted up, searching Lu

rother's stare, offer

n recognized that look. It wasn't the look of a man surprised by corporate maneuvering.

ing into perfect, predatory calm. He didn't need t

ethal warfare happening across her dining tab

sip of his wine, his eyes nev

ng for a flaw in the armor. "Is that true? Or are you simply

without blinking. "I don't p

the length of the table, a silent war of wi

s of water. "Bring her

he crushing tension in the room

nt, rapid shift in his thoughts. He had a deadline now. A

en to Erik, her smile never fal

a tense sip of his wine

." She looked between both of her sons, her eyes bright and ho

ng himself a few precious seconds of r

er head. "That

he lighthearted banter like a scythe. "If there is someone,

is own will, a single, devastatingl

ar

his jaw setting as he forced the thought down, terrified that expos

lion-dollar acquisitions were won or lost over a microsecond pause or a stray

didn't yet exist. "I'd love to meet the women who finally c

te, the corner of his mouth lifting into a

eamed at him

o the other. "Then I will expect both of

ed heavily ov

attle to mask his thoughts, before forcing an easy

ion. That carefully cons

ough the exchange meant absolutely nothing to him. But beneath

into this house, Lucien was going to make absolutely certain s

i's guest. As Luc