The Price Of Power
1257 Words
The executive floor remained silent long after the security officers escorted Mr. Harrison away. No one moved.
The remaining directors exchanged uneasy glances before quietly returning to the boardroom. Not one of them looked at Brenda as they passed. Some avoided her eyes. Others looked at her as though she were the beginning of a disaster.
The last director disappeared into the room, and the heavy doors closed with a dull thud. Only then did the corridor feel empty again.
Victoria crouched to gather the torn pages scattered across the polished floor. Brenda immediately knelt beside her.
I'm sorry...
Victoria looked at her in surprise.
"Why are you apologizing"?
Because this happened because of me.
Victoria gave a faint smile as she picked up another piece of paper.
"No, Miss Michael".
This happened because some people cannot accept change.
She stood and handed the torn pages to a member of the legal department who had just arrived carrying another folder.
"Please prepare a new copy" .
Right away. The young lawyer hurried off without asking a single question.
Brenda watched him disappear before turning to Lucian.
You just fired one of your directors.
Lucian adjusted the cuff of his sleeve.
Yes.Was he important?
He was.
Brenda frowned.
Then... why?
Lucian looked at her as though the answer were obvious.
Because he forgot where the line was.
The answer left Brenda more confused than before.
He argued with you because of me.
No.
Lucian corrected gently.
He was dismissed because he believed he could make decisions that belonged to me.
There is a difference.
Before Brenda could respond, Victoria's phone rang.
She answered immediately.
Yes.
Her expression changed.
She looked toward Lucian.
The news channels have already picked up rumours from inside the building.
That was fast . Someone leaked the board meeting.
Lucian wasn't surprised. He simply nodded.
Victoria continued listening. Then she lowered the phone.
Reporters are gathering outside the main entrance. They're asking whether Marco Holdings is announcing an engagement today.
Brenda felt her heartbeat quicken. How could they know already?
Lucian looked toward the window overlooking the city. Information travels quickly when money is involved.
Victoria hesitated.
There's something else.
Lucian waited.
Your grandfather has requested your immediate presence at the Marco Estate.
For the first time since Brenda had met him ,Lucian's expression changed slightly But she noticed it.
When? He asked.
An hour ago.
He looked at his watch.
We're already late.
Victoria lowered her voice.
Sir...He already knows about Miss Michael.
Silence settled over the office.
Brenda looked from one face to the other.
Who is your grandfather?
Lucian met her eyes.
The founder of Marco Holdings. The head of my family. Brenda swallowed.
Does he approve of this marriage?
Lucian didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he walked to his desk and opened the new folder the legal department had just delivered. A fresh contract rested inside ,Untouched.
He signed his name without hesitation.
Then he placed the pen beside Brenda.
My grandfather has never approved of any decision before asking one question.
What question?
Lucian looked directly at her.
Is this person worth protecting?
Brenda stared at the contract.
Then at the pen.
Outside the office windows, reporters were already gathering below.
Inside the boardroom, directors were planning their next move.
At the Marco Estate , The most powerful man in the family was waiting.
Brenda slowly reached for the pen.
The pen rested on the polished desk between them.
It was an ordinary Black fountain pen Light enough to fit inside a shirt pocket. Yet Brenda had never seen an object feel so heavy.
She looked at her name on the final page. One signature. That was all it would take to divide her life into two parts.
Everything before this moment ,Everything after it.
Victoria quietly stepped back, giving them privacy.
Even the lawyers waiting by the door lowered their eyes. No one hurried her.
Lucian stood with both hands resting lightly on the desk.
His expression was calm, but his attention never left Brenda. Take your time. His voice was steady.
Once you sign, I won't ask you to sign again.
Brenda let out a slow breath.
I've spent two days trying to find another way. I know I failed.
Lucian shook his head.
No. You exhausted every possibility.
Those aren't the same thing. She looked up.
How do you know what I did?
Victoria placed a thin file on the desk.
Because Mr. Marco asked me to verify every organisation you visited yesterday.
Brenda's eyes widened.
You investigated me?
Lucian answered without apology.
I needed to know whether you were marrying me because it was convenient or because it was your last option.
Brenda searched his face.
And?
His answer came without hesitation.
You fought harder than most people ever would.
For the first time since she had entered Marco Tower...
Brenda felt seen and not pitied.
She lowered her eyes to the contract once more.
Her father's words echoed in her heart.
One more step.
Her mother's smile followed.
Then the little boy she had seen drawing superheroes outside the hospital.
Then the rejected loan , The pawn shop , The charity foundation.
Every closed door ,Every disappointment , Every prayer.
Slowly...
She picked up the pen.
The room became perfectly still.
The nib touched the paper.
She wrote carefully.
Brenda Michael.
The last letter curved neatly across the page.
She placed the pen down.
Lucian picked up the contract. Read the signature Then signed beneath it. He closed the file.
The agreement is effective immediately.
Victoria nodded.
I'll notify the Legal team.
She turned to leave.
Lucian stopped her.
Transfer five hundred thousand dollars to St. Mary's Hospital.
Priority clearance.
Yes, sir.
Also ,Arrange a civil marriage registration within the hour.
Brenda blinked.
Within the hour?
Lucian looked at her.
The contract protects our agreement.
The law protects our marriage.
We're doing both today.
Before she could respond, Victoria's phone rang.
She answered immediately.
Her face changed.
Sir... The press has breached the front entrance.
They're demanding confirmation of the marriage.
Another employee hurried into the office.
Mr. Marco.
"Security has blocked them, but more reporters are arriving every minute".
A third voice followed from the hallway.
Sir!
Someone leaked Miss Michael's photograph online.
Brenda felt every drop of blood leave her face.
My photograph?
The employee handed Lucian a tablet.
The screen showed Brenda's picture.
It was taken outside St. Mary's Hospital the previous afternoon.
Across the image, a headline flashed in bold letters.
*WHO IS THE MYSTERY WOMAN WHO CAPTURED LUCIAN MARCO'S HEART* ?
Below it...
Thousands of comments were pouring in every second.
Gold digger,
Attention seeker,
She's probably pregnant,
She planned this,
She doesn't deserve him.
Brenda stared at the screen.
People she had never met , People who didn't even know her name Were tearing her apart.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of the desk.
Lucian quietly took the tablet from her hands.
Don't read another comment.
She looked at him.
Why?
Because strangers are always brave behind a screen. Their opinions don't deserve space in your mind.
Before Brenda could answer, Victoria spoke again.
Sir , There's one more problem.
Lucian's eyes remained on Brenda.
Go on.
Victoria swallowed.
Your grandfather has instructed the entire Marco family to gather at the estate tonight.
His exact words was , you should come with your Wife.
Brenda's heart skipped.
She was still trying to understand what had just happened.
The family she had never met was waiting to judge her.
- Writer
