Chapter 4

I looked at my dad and smiled. "Dad, you must be mistaken.

"I'm no longer the CEO of Lane Corporation.

"What does the company's business have to do with me?

"That's for Mr. Andrew Lane to worry about now."

My dad couldn't hold it in anymore, so he rose to his feet and thundered, "Edward Lane! You just have to go against me, don't you?"

"I'm not," I shrugged.

I added, "I'm just enjoying my life, that's all. You're the one who insisted on coming here and bothering me."

My dad jabbed a finger at me, his whole hand shaking with anger.

"You rascal!" he spat, then stormed off.

I watched his retreating figure, a cold smirk slowly spreading across my face.

Cecilia, lying in my arms, suddenly spoke up. "You seem to hate him a lot."

"Getting a little chatty, aren't you?" I looked at her.

"Sorry," she murmured and immediately lowered her head.

I gently tilted her chin up, making her meet my gaze.

"Still... You really nailed that performance. Time to move on to the next script," I said.

Then, I leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Go to Epea with me. I'm buying a winery."

Cecilia's eyes lit up.

I could tell she knew exactly what I was getting at.

We were about to crank the drama way up this time.

I wanted to let the whole world see that I, Edward Lane, was totally done for in every sense.

The news of me and Cecilia heading to Epea made the headlines the very next day.

The trending hashtag read: [Edward Lane Spotted in Bruiville with Cecilia Hughes—Is a Wedding in the Works?]

In the photos, I had my arm around Cecilia, grinning like some spoiled rich kid who didn't have a care in the world.

We did have a blast, spending our days visiting museums and our nights dining at Michelin-starred restaurants.

In the end, I really did buy a winery in Pillere.

It wasn't huge, but the view was absolutely stunning.

The day I signed the contract, Chris sent me another message.

Chris: [Mr. Lane, the South Flobury project... is totally dead in the water.

[The cooperating partner is demanding 30 million dollars in damages for the breach of contract.

[The whole board is in an uproar.

[Mr. Richard Lane... has been rushed to the hospital.]

Reading the messages, I reached for a glass of red wine—freshly drawn from the winery's own oak barrels.

I took a leisurely sip.

The grapes from this year tasted good.

"Is something on your mind?" Cecilia asked softly.

She sat across from me, dressed in a white dress.

"Nothing," I replied and set down the wine glass. "I just feel that Bruiville's champagne is a bit sweet."

Cecilia watched me. There was a lot going on behind those eyes.

She was a smart woman.

I could tell she'd already figured out exactly what I was up to.

Still, she didn't ask anything.

Our arrangement was simple—I paid her money, and she played her part.

It was purely transactional.

"Where are we going next?" Cecilia inquired.

"We're heading home," I said. "It's time for the climax of the show."

*****

When we touched down back home, the airport was swarming with reporters.

Camera flashes were going off nonstop.

"Mr. Lane, are you and Ms. Hughes dating?"

"Mr. Lane, what's your take on Lane Corporation's current mess?"

"Are you planning to return to Lane Corporation?"

I kept my arm around Cecilia the whole time, maintaining a silent smile.

She played her part perfectly, nestling against me with a blissful expression.

We looked every bit like a couple who were madly in love with each other, paying no mind to the outside world.

*****

The next day, my dad was discharged from the hospital, looking a lot thinner and haggard than before.

He asked me to meet him at Lane Manor.

It was my first time stepping into that place since my mom passed away.

The furnishings were frozen in time, exactly as she'd left them, only now they were coated in a fine layer of dust.

My dad sat at the head of the table, his eyes locked on me.

"Come home, Edward," he said with a slightly weary and pleading tone. "The company needs you."

"Oh?" I said.

Pulling out a chair to sit down, I asked, "What about Andrew?"

"He... He's still young," my dad insisted, trying to stick up for Andrew. "He's just inexperienced, that's all—"

I interrupted, "Dad, you know what?

"The cooperating partner for the South Flobury project was playing us from the start.

"There were seven traps in that contract.

"If we slipped up even a little, we'd be doomed.

"Before I left, I marked out all the traps and put them right on the very first page of the project's folder.

"Do you think your dear son even looked at them?"

My dad's expression soured.

"He... He might've just missed them..." he muttered, still making some weak excuse for Andrew.

"Yeah. He did," I replied and chuckled.

Then, I added, "Not only did he miss all the traps, but he even went on and signed a whole extra agreement. And with that, he slammed the door shut on our last escape route.

"Dad, this isn't about him being inexperienced. He's stupid. In fact, he's stupid and arrogant.

"You're single-handedly destroying Lane Corporation by making him the CEO."

"Enough!" my dad roared. "Regardless of what he's done, he's still your younger brother."

"He's not," I retorted.

Meeting my dad's eyes, I enunciated, "The day you brought him home was the day I lost my brother and my home."

I stood up and continued, "You want me back? Sure—but only if you kick him out of Lane Corporation and throw him out of this city. Make sure he never appears in front of me again."

A moment later, I pointed at my dad, "And you—transfer all your shares to me. I want full control over Lane Corporation."

"You... You're trying to kill me!" My dad's voice cracked.

Even his eyes reddened.

"You started this first," I retorted, staring at him coldly.

At last, I declared, "The choice is yours."

I left without waiting for a reply.

I knew he wouldn't say yes now, but he'd cave soon enough.

The market was waiting for a spark, and I was the one holding the match.