The Heiress Crown of Deception

in her chest. Her father's office-now hers-was both a sanctuary and a battlefield, a place where decisions that shaped empires were made. The roo

c proposal had been reviewed, rewritten, and refined over the last twelve hours, but the feeling of inc

Oliver appeared in the doorway, holding two coffee cups and wearin

stepping inside and placing on

leaning back in her chair. "If I st

her, his gaze steady. "You need to rest. You've already

picking up the coffee. The bitter

iver countered. "He's playing a game, but you're fi

ebrow. "Because it feels like h

hat's his weakness. You just need to

iver had always been her anchor, the one person she could count on

eart leaping into her throat. When the door opened, Isabelle step

Isabelle asked, her t

este said, though

the papers strewn across the desk before settling

ou want, I

expression unreadable. "You've got a tough fight ahe

iment, but I'm handlin

winning. If you want to keep this company, you need to think beyond strategy and spreadsheets.

mean," Celeste sa

le replied. "But it's the only

tation evident. "Celeste doesn't ne

Isabelle said, her tone d

You've made it clear you don't think I belong h

takes over, this company will implode. Whatever my feelings abou

st it. Isabelle had always been a master of hidden agendas, and there was

d," Celeste said, keep

turning to leave. "

d her, leaving a heav

, do you?" Oliver aske

to start thinking about the people in that room. Gregory might have th

with Vivienne. She's the most influential member of the board a

to Gregory,"

company stable," Oliver corrected. "Show her yo

ng with possibilities. It was

-

ermined to put her plan into action. Vivienne Laurent's office was located two floors bel

esk as Celeste entered, her e

ing her pen down. "To wha

u before the meeting," Cel

the chair across from

thoughts. "I know you have concerns about

"I wouldn't say 'concerns.

to the success of Ashcroft Industries. I've spent the last week analyzing ever

e your father's determination. But determination isn't enough in th

I value your experience and insight, and I'd like

to catch Vivienne off guard. For a moment

I expected," Vi

fore," Celeste said

her expression. "You've got potential, Celeste. But potential won't

Celeste

ving into a faint smile. "The

-

gory sat in his usual spot, his expression calm and confide

nced, her tone neutral. "It's well thought out and

but he quickly masked it. "A proposal is onl

head-on. "And I'm prepared to execute this

le thin. "Then I suppose we'll see how co

eleste's heart pounded as the results were tallied. When Vivienne's t

ut in the end, she had the majority. Gregory's expression

vienne lingered for a moment, givi

d," Vivienne said quietly. "

r voice steady despite the adren

turned to Oliver, who was g

d it,"

ed with exhaustion. "But Gregory won't

n sobering. "Then we'd bette

. The battle was far from over, but for the first time, she felt a