Legacy of Deceit

Sally Thompson stood by the tall, arched window of her family’s mansion, arms wrapped tightly around herself as the evening sun filtered in. She could hear the sharp clicking of her mother’s heels across the hardwood floors before Madeline even entered the room. “You’ve been avoiding me all morning,” came the crisp, unyielding voice. Sally turned, her expression unreadable. “I’ve had nothing to say.” “Well,” Madeline replied, gliding past her to sit behind the massive walnut desk that had once belonged to her late husband, “that’s unfortunate. Because now it’s time to listen.” Sally’s jaw tightened. “Listen to what, mom? You never listen to me, but I should listen to what you have to say?” “Trust me, little one, I wouldn't be stressing if it wasn't very important.” Madeline said. She opened a folder and began flipping through documents like she was reading the weather report. “Our accounts are in red,” she said gravely. The factories in Leeds and Edinburgh are operating at half capacity. We’ve defaulted on three loans in two months. Do you know what that means?” Sally didn’t reply. “It means the Thompson legacy—everything your father built—is seconds from collapse.” She leaned forward, hands clasped elegantly on the desk. “And you’re going to stop it.” A bitter laugh escaped Sally before she could stop it. “Oh, I see. And how exactly am I supposed to do that? Magic?” Madeline’s eyes narrowed. “Marriage.” The word dropped into the room like a bomb. Sally stared at her mother, stunned. “You’re joking.” “I never joke about business.” Sally took a step forward, anger flashing in her chest. “You want me to marry someone—just like that? Some stranger? Like this is the 1800s?” “This is survival,” Madeline snapped. “And, girl, you will not speak to me in that tone.” “Mom, I’m not some bargaining chip you get to trade off!” “You are exactly that if it means saving this family!” Madeline stood, her voice rising for the first time that evening. “I’ve fought tooth and nail to keep Thompson & Co. from being torn apart by wolves, and now, at the eleventh hour, you want to stand there and whine about your freedom?” Sally’s throat tightened. “This isn’t about my freedom. It’s about being forced into something I didn’t ask for. I have plans. I have—” “You have a brother.” Madeline’s voice cut through like ice. “A brother who’s going to inherit the company someday. A brother who doesn’t know we’ve mortgaged this house just to pay the employees’ salaries. You want to think about yourself? Fine. But don’t pretend your decision doesn’t carry weight.” Sally’s chest ached. She thought of Tam—his sweet soul, his late-night rants about regretting going for a second degree, the way he always made her laugh when things got too heavy. “What… What do you want from me?” Madeline took a slow breath, voice lowering to a cool, practiced calm. “There’s a man. A deal has been arranged. He has the power, the money, and the influence to wipe our debt in a single stroke. But he wants something in return—an alliance. Permanency.” Sally’s pulse pounded in her ears. “So you offered him your only daughter?” “You are the Thompson princess. Your name still means something in our circle. And you’re beautiful. That helps.” Sally took a step back. Her mother’s words felt like poison in the air. “What if I say no?” she asked quietly. Madeline didn’t blink. “Then we lose everything. The company folds. Tam loses his inheritance. Our employees—hundreds of them—go home to their families empty-handed. And we lose this house.” Sally wanted to scream. To break something. To shake her mother until that ice-crusted heart cracked. Instead, she turned away and stared out the window again. She had become like the flowers in the garden below - swayed by the wind without their consent. “Do I even get to know who he is?” she whispered. “You’ll meet him soon enough,” Madeline said, gathering the papers back into the folder. “Who is he?” Sally repeated, more firmly this time. Madeline looked up, lips curving into a careful, businesslike smile. “Dominic Harvey.” The name struck her like a whip. Her heart stopped mid-beat. Sally spun around, staring at her mother as if she’d just heard a ghost. “What did you say?” “Dominic Harvey,” Madeline repeated. “Harvey Enterprise. Billionaire. Very private. Powerful family. He’s agreed to the marriage terms on one condition—that it’s legally binding, and that it happens before the fiscal quarter ends.” Sally’s skin turned cold. Her mother’s voice faded into the background as a memory slammed into her like a wave. A ballroom. Crystal chandeliers. Spilled wine. Laughter. His face. The cruel smirk on his lips as he looked down at her dress, soaked in red wine. “Next time, watch where you're going, dummy.” He hadn’t even helped her up. Just walked off—leaving her humiliated, crushed, a room full of eyes watching her crumble. That was Dominic Harvey. That was him. “You know him?” Madeline asked, watching her closely. Sally opened her mouth, then shut it. Her legs felt unsteady. She pressed a hand against the edge of the desk to steady herself. “I’ve met him,” she whispered. Madeline raised an eyebrow. “And?” Sally forced herself to stand tall, even as her heart pounded violently in her chest. “Why are you asking like whatever I say is going to make a difference?” Her mother’s expression didn't change. “Well, whatever it is, suck it up.” Sally stared at her, speechless. “Tomorrow,” Madeline said, voice clipped, “you’re meeting him, 6 p.m. sharp. Wear something understated. No cleavage. No drama.” Sally didn't move. “You always said you’d do anything for your brother,” Madeline said, turning away. “Now’s the time to prove it.” And then she walked out, heels clicking against the floor. Sally stood there, numb, as the last golden rays of sun vanished from the room—leaving behind only shadows. “I can't believe this is happening” Sally whispered to herself.