Secrets Of The Phantom Heir

Episode 4

The Board of Directors, headed by Nikolai, sat with grim faces as they listened to the expert’s

report.

“What do you mean the Veil of Ravens painting might be a fake? We paid $1.2 billion for the

original!” Alexei Morozov, the chairman, Nik’s godfather, an artist and hotelier himself,

demanded.

“We did the customary checks before and after shipment. Everything proved to be original. I was

preparing the collection for the upcoming exhibit when something about it seemed… off. It’s a

very good fake,” Henri, the gallery’s resident art expert, said.

“We didn’t buy a very good fake, Monsieur. We bought an exquisite original!” Nikolai snarled.

“How could this happen? Security here Is tighter than the White House!”

“I hate to bring this up,” Alan Volkov said, glancing around the table. A longtime friend of Nik’s

father and a successful oil tycoon with a deep appreciation for art, he hesitated. “I heard Asher

Vaughn’s daughter is one of our curators.”

The name meant nothing to the three members who cared only about money, but the rest of the

Board knew. A businessman who’d infiltrated multiple galleries, passing fakes as originals and

selling the originals underground for enormous sums.

“Why is she still working here?”

“You left our money in the hands of a criminal’s daughter?”

“Elara is Asher’s daughter?”

“Settle down, please,” Nikolai commanded.

“Maybe we should have her explain herself—give her a chance to defend herself,” Monsieur

Zigré, another multi-millionaire familiar with the young lady, suggested.

Nikolai’s jaw tightened. His mind screamed at him to protect his company, his legacy—but also

a part of him recoiled. She has nothing to do with her father’s crimes. She doesn’t deserve this.

And yet… the Board is watching me, expecting me to act. My judgment is the law here. Vale

Corp was all he had, and its reputation was at stake.

Elara had just dug into her salad when Courtney, Nikolai’s assistant, rang her office.

“Mr. Harrington-Vale needs you in the conference room.”

“Thank you. I’ll be right there.”

She felt a flutter of nerves—it was both intimidating and exciting to see 18 of the most powerful

figures in art, luxury, and business walk through the doors of Gallerie Belle Étoile for an

emergency meeting. Only they knew what was going on behind the heavily guarded doors.

Briar ran into her in the doorway. “Hey, I thought we were going to talk over lunch.”

“I’ve been summoned to the conference room,” Elara said in a sharp tone, then laughed

nervously. “They probably just have some questions. Lunch later?”

“Sure. I’ll wait.”

Elara took the elevator to the top floor, nerves creeping in slowly. What did I have to be scared

about?

Nikolai looked up as she entered but avoided her eyes. Her pale blue wrap dress was perfect—

strong yet delicate. Alexei found it hard to believe that the lovely young lady in front of him was

capable of anything horrid.

Gods, Nikolai thought, she doesn’t deserve this. She’s brilliant, capable… Yet he couldn’t let his

personal feelings interfere. Not here. Not now.

“Welcome, Miss Vaughn. This is a sensitive matter which we would like to get over with as

quickly as possible. We have reason to believe the Veil of Ravens has been stolen and replaced

with a fake in the past 24 hours.”

Elara’s stomach dropped. “Oh, that’s terrible. It took so much influence to purchase it. Who

would do such a thing?”

Slowly, realization dawned. She turned sharply toward Nik, but he refused to meet her gaze. The

walls seemed to close in, stars swimming before her eyes. “You can’t possibly believe I would do

such a thing.”

I don’t believe it, he thought. She has nothing to do with her father’s mess. And yet… he had to

act like just another board member enforcing policy. I

“We’re not accusing you of anything, Elara,” Monsieur Zigré said.

“And yet I’m the first person called at the hint of fraud? No criminal record, no complaints,

excellent reviews… But because of my father? Non mais là, c’est une blague?!” Elara stopped

herself, aware she always slipped into French when angry.

“Miss Vaughn,” Nikolai’s voice was unusually sharp, the effort to conceal his distress evident.

“Obviously, an investigation will be

launched. But until then, we would ask you to take a few days off from work. We hope you

understand.”

Tears threatened to fall. She nodded and exited without another word.

Damn it, Nikolai thought, watching her leave. She deserved better than this.

“Perhaps we could have handled that a little better,” Alexei muttered, staring at his godson.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” Nik said, his jaw tight, mind racing.

Elara picked up her bag, stuffing in papers.

“Chérie, what’s wrong?” Briar asked, concerned.

Still not trusting herself to speak, she threw in the framed picture of her mother, followed by the

miniature of Elsa her brother had made for her.

“Elie—” Briar’s grip on her arm tightened. “What the hell is going on?”

“I can’t do this right now… please?”

The door opened, and somehow she knew who it was before she even looked.

“Can we talk?” Nikolai inquired.

Elara stared at her best friend with such intensity that Briar’s face instantly transformed. She

might not know what happened, but she knew Nikolai had something to do with it.

“I don’t think she wants to talk to you, sir,” Briar said firmly.

“Excuse me?” He had never heard a subordinate use such a tone with him.

Briar placed herself between them. “You should leave… now.”

“I believe you’re forgetting who’s in charge here.”

“It just doesn’t matter to me in this moment.”

“One more word and you’re fired.”

Elara’s eyes widened. “Brie, it’s okay. Can you come to my place later?”

“Elie…”

“I couldn’t bear it if you lost your job because of me, please.”

Briar turned and hugged her fiercely. “Take care.”

Women, Nik thought as Briar shot him a scorching look—a smart man never got on their bad

side.

“I’m so sorry, Elara.” He moved a step closer. “I didn’t expect things to take such a dramatic

turn.”