A deal with the Devil's son

Mallory’s POV: My heart was beating real quick. It’s not like I didn’t have an idea but I didn’t know it would be this early. I mean I just graduated college and this feels like a dream. Am I really the CEO of Crestmont Maison & Dining? As I walked up to the stage to give my speech, I felt all eyes piercing into my skin, as if they were all waiting for me to miss a step. But no. I can’t afford to raid the internet this night for a bad cause. I walked up to the podium and looked at everyone. A strange murmur broke out among the members in on table two. I noticed two of them exchange glances and smile awkwardly before looking away. For a second, it made me think if all of this was a set up. My chest tightened. Their face, as sturdy as ever "Hi everyone…." "I’m Mallory Rivers and I’m the new chairman of Crestmont Maison & Dining group." They all clapped and for a minute, I felt like I was already in power. "I look forward to working with everyone in this group, and together, we take Crestmont to higher grounds. Thank you." They clapped again as I walked down the stage. It felt good to be honest. But I noticed Chairman Hark wasn’t clapping. He was staring directly at my face and looking into my eyes. I saw rage and anticipation. I looked side ways to see if there was anyone one suspiciously looking at me. Just then, I heard the crash. It was my dad. I looked over, my mom was already crying and trying to pick up my dad who was already on the floor. He fainted. It was as if he waited for me to be announced CEO before he fell ill. When I saw my dad on the floor, I was cold and I felt helpless. As my dad laid on the stretcher and was rode out of the hall, I felt I knot tie in my stomach. I looked over to Briar who was my personal assistant and also my best friend, but instead of panic, I saw fear linger in her eyes. But the thought quickly disappeared when she signalled for us to go home before things would get worse I entered the black SUV already waiting for me outside the hall and we drove off. All through the night, I couldn’t help but think what could possibly be wrong with my dad. The next day, I woke up to a knock on my door. Mum "Mallory," "Is Dad ok?" A tear rolled down my cheek. "He’s alive… but he’s unwell" She sat at the edge of my bed and cupped my cheek "What do you mean unwell mum? … he was ok few days ago!" "He has been going for his check up right?" Mum’s silence only made my stomach twist. She avoided my eyes and I knew she knew something. "Your dad will be fine he just needs to rest" her voice shaking as she spoke. "That’s it with you and dad, nobody tells me anything!" I sighed and cleaned the tears of my cheeks. “Your dad really needs to speak to you.” I pulled off my cover and got out of bed. "Think you can make it to the hospital this morning?" I sighed again "I have a meeting with the board this morning but I’ll ask Briar to reschedule.” “Ok darling" She hugged me and left the room quietly. This is bad. If anything happens to my dad, I’m doomed. My uncles and aunt have always been waiting for my downfall, and I’ve always hid under my father. But if he dies, I’ll be totally exposed. Quickly, I pulled off my clothes and headed to bath. I did my morning routine and I was ready to go. Just as I was about to leave the room, my phone buzzed. An unknown number. I hesitated before opening it. "Congratulations, Chairwoman. Look forward to seeing you at the meeting today". Unease rode up my spine and my throat itched. As I started to reply, the message disappeared. This made me feel so uneasy. I quickly took my bag and ran downstairs to the car. “Hey Briar," I greeted as I was got into the car. "How are you feeling Chairwoman!" She teased. I smiled; the name sounded a little cheesy. "Um. I think we need to reschedule the meeting” she announced “Yeah, mum told me my dad needs to talk to me” “Ok cool, I’ll call the secretary to let them know" Briar gripped her phone tighter and gnawed at her finger tips. She’d never do that except she’s nervous and this made things really weird. For a moment, I debated whether or not to tell her about the message. But I couldn’t help but notice her being anxious. We got to the hospital and they led me to my father room. I walked past the waiting area, I saw my father’s lawyer and several men in black suits. I couldn’t recognize any. Why are they all here? The way they looked at me made my body itch. I walked into the room and saw my father lying helpless on the bed, with all those pipes connected to him and stuffs beeping. I bet he could barely talk. I looked at him and I felt like crying again. "Make sure not to ruin your pretty make up," he said slowly and smiled. "I’m just fine daddy” I sniffed and smiled too. My dad looked at me for a long moment. Then he sighed. "I didn’t want to do this now Mallory, but I don’t have much time" I frowned. "Do what dad?" I squeezed his tighter. Before he could answer me, there was a knock on the hospital door. The door slowly opened and one of those men in black walked in. Attorney Hills? What was he doing here. I only saw him when it was time to make an amendment to my grandfather’s will. My father coughed loudly, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Hills as he walked in. "Dad is this something about Papa’s will?" My dad looked at me, and back to Hills "Are the board members all here?" he asked the attorney weakly. "You asked the all the lawyers sir" Hils reminded my father "Oh yes… I did" Attorney Hills moved closer to me, holding a thick brown file. My eyes followed it immediately. For a moment, everything felt painfully slow, so I grabbed the file from Attorney Hills’ hands before he could say anything. I opened the file and it was indeed my grandfather’s will. I flipped to the last page where it read Marriage Succession Requirement in bold. "Dad what is this supposed to mean?" I asked in utmost confusion and distress "Mallory," my father said, his voice rising with every pulse in my heart. "If you want to keep Crestmont…." He paused. “You have thirty days to get married.”