Chapter 4: Heiress
1096 Words
Chapter 4: Heiress
(Kieran's POV)
I sat on the plush leather sofa, the iPad in my hands blasting the latest viral clip. Caroline's voice filled the silent office. She sounded amused, sharp, and dangerous.
"I lost 180 pounds of dead weight and a bad headache."
On the screen, she looked like a queen. She stood tall in front of the cameras, dismissing the Ashford family like they were nothing more than a bad weekend.
"And regarding the company," the reporter's voiceover continued, "Richard Lowells has announced he is stepping down immediately. All operational control is being transferred to his only daughter, Caroline."
The air in the room dropped ten degrees. I looked up.
Dominic sat behind his massive ebony desk. He was gripping his Montblanc pen so hard his knuckles were white. He looked like a statue made of ice, radiating a chill that could freeze hell over. His jaw was set tight.
"Dom," I started cautiously. "How did it get this bad? You two were..."
Dominic's eyes snapped up. They were steel-gray and empty. He didn't say a word. He just stared. The look was sharp enough to cut glass.
I shut my mouth instantly.
I was about to make an excuse to leave when the doors swung open.
Faye Carter walked in. She was wearing a pale pink Chanel dress. A sweet, plastic smile was plastered on her face.
"Dominic," she cooed. She walked right up to his desk, ignoring me completely. "I missed you. And the baby missed you too."
She rubbed her stomach theatrically.
My jaw dropped. I almost slid off the sofa. A baby? Dominic actually got this woman pregnant?
I stood up, panic rising in my chest. "I should go."
"Wait," Dominic said. His voice was flat. "We can sign the contract."
I froze.
Dominic looked at Faye. His expression didn't change. It was the same look he gave a spreadsheet.
"Go back to the estate," he ordered.
Faye's smile cracked. She blinked, looking confused. She bit her lower lip and shot a glare at me, clearly unhappy that I had witnessed her dismissal.
"But Dom," she whined softly, her voice trembling. "I just got here. I thought we could have lunch."
Dominic didn't answer. He just looked at her with cold indifference.
Faye took a breath. She smoothed her expression back into that pitiful, doe-eyed look.
"Okay," she said softly. "I'll be good. I'll go home and wait for you for dinner."
She turned and walked out, her heels clicking on the floor. She looked back once, but Dominic was already looking at a file.
The door clicked shut. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Okay," I said, sitting back down. "I have questions."
Dominic didn't look up.
"You divorced Caroline for her," I said, gesturing to the door. "She's carrying your kid. Why do you treat her like an annoying employee? The rumors say you're obsessed with your first love, but this... this doesn't look like love."
Dominic finally looked at me. "What are you digging for, Kieran?" he asked softly.
A chill ran down my spine.
"Nothing," I said quickly. I raised my hands in surrender. "Forget I asked. I'm just here for the Sterling Enterprises agreement. We need that steel shipment approved."
I pulled the document from my briefcase and slid it across the desk along with a pen.
Dominic didn't pick up the pen. He picked up the document, glanced at the cover, and tossed it back onto the desk.
"Get the contract from Lowells Corporation first," Dominic said.
I stared at him. "What?"
"Sterling needs to secure the construction deal with Lowells," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Once you have that signed by Caroline, I will sign this."
He looked back down at his paperwork. "Get out."
I grabbed my papers and walked out of the Ashford tower.
I stood on the busy Manhattan sidewalk, people rushing past me. The noise of the city washed over me.
It hit me then.
Dominic didn't care about my deal. He was using me. He knew Caroline wouldn't see him. He was forcing me to go to her so he could force an interaction through a proxy.
"Son of a b***h," I muttered.
(Caroline's POV)
The Chairman's office at Lowells Corporation was quiet.
My father, Richard, stood by the window. He looked relaxed. Younger, almost.
"It's all yours, Caroline," he said.
I looked at the signed documents on the desk. He hadn't hesitated. Not for a second. He had handed over the empire he built like he was giving me a gift card.
"You're retiring?" I asked, running my hand over the leather executive chair. "Just like that?"
"I've been waiting for this day," he said. He adjusted his suit lapel and grinned. "I want to travel. Your mother wants to see Italy again."
"Dad," I said, crossing my arms. "The board is already nervous about the divorce. They think I'm emotionally compromised."
Dad laughed. He walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Listen to me," he said seriously. "Even if you run this company into the ground, your grandfather, Edward Whitmore, left you a trust fund. It's enough money for you to live like a queen for ten lifetimes. You have nothing to fear. This business? It's just a playground for you now."
I didn't smile. Instead, I adjusted my blazer, smoothing out a non-existent wrinkle, and locked eyes with him.
"Save the safety net for someone who needs it, Dad," I said, my voice cool and laced with a sharp edge of arrogance. "I don't plan on just 'running' the company. I plan on doubling its valuation. By next year, you'll be the one asking *me* for a loan."
Dad blinked, surprised by the steel in my tone, but then his grin widened.
I looked at his face, but I didn't feel the need for his protection. A surge of competitive fire burned in my chest. I didn't want a playground. I wanted a battlefield. I was going to take this legacy and sharpen it until it cut anyone who dared to underestimate me—especially the Ashfords.
"That's the spirit," he said, clearly pleased.
He kissed my forehead and walked out the door, whistling.
After seeing my father onto the car and watching it speed away, I turned and prepared to head back into the building.
"Carrie."
The voice came from behind me. It was deep, magnetic, and full of energy.
I stopped. My heart did a tiny flip. I knew that voice.
- Writer
