Under the Lawyer's Obsession

Chapter 3: Lies

The conference room was exactly what Rose had expected — cold, expensive, and full of people who had already decided how this was going to go.

She walked in beside Cassian, her handbag strap in a death grip on her shoulder, and felt every eye in the room turn to them.

"Reeves." Cassian's voice cut through the quiet before the door had fully closed behind them. The man at the head of the table — older, wire-rimmed glasses, a stack of papers in front of him — looked up. So did Dana, seated to the left, one leg crossed over the other, watching with mild curiosity and Bryce sitting beside her.

"I'm sorry for being late to the meeting."

Reeves stood, pulling off his glasses. His eyes moved from Cassian to Rose and back. "Hello, Mr. Wolfe. Miss Rose, I'm glad you could join us. I won't hold you for too long, we just need you to—"

"Reeves." Cassian waited until the man's eyes met his. "I thought you'd like to be informed so you can make the necessary changes. Rose Calloway is my fiancée. We're getting married in a few days."

The silence lasted for about three seconds.

"You're — you're getting married to Miss Rose? What?"

Reeves was still standing there with his glasses in his hand when Bryan pushed himself up slowly from his chair. His eyes moved from Rose to Cassian and settled on Rose like a weight.

"What's going on here?" His voice was flat. "Explain."

"Bryan." Rose forced a breath out through her nose. "Cassian and I are getting married." She pushed a laugh out that landed a little stiff. "I know that sounds a little—"

"It sounds like you're f*****g with me, cuz."

Cassian moved. One step forward and to the left, putting himself in front of Bryan with a calm that somehow made it worse. Rose took a half step back.

"I know this is a surprise to your family, Mr. Calloway, so I'll let that one go." Cassian's voice was even. "But I'd suggest you watch your words when you're speaking to my fiancée." He turned from Bryan like the conversation was already finished and addressed the room.

"I proposed to Rose last week. We thought this would be a good time to share the news. We couldn't do it before because we wanted some privacy to celebrate." He glanced at Reeves. "I believe this changes the situation regarding the property on Madison Avenue."

"This is complete bullshit." Bryan's voice cracked the room open. Dana, still seated, examined her nails. "This situation — whatever the hell this act is — changes nothing. She still isn't getting the property. How stupid do you think I am?"

"Oh, I couldn't say, Mr. Calloway. We'll be family shortly and I wouldn't want to insult you."

Bryan's color darkened.

"Also," Cassian continued, unhurried, "in the will, David Calloway clearly states that in the event of his passing, ownership of the property on Madison Avenue transfers to Rose's husband. The time limit was until 2026, I believe, but we can always check. I'm only explaining this for your sake, Mr. Calloway, because I'm not marrying your cousin for a property. My feelings for her have nothing to do with what's going on here."

"Mr. Wolfe, maybe we should—" Reeves started.

"If it has nothing to do with what's going on here," Bryan cut through him, eyes sliding to Rose, "you'll lay no claim on the property. The property is David Calloway's last gift to his niece. I'm sure you're not trying to ignore your father's wishes."

Bryan's hands slowly balled into fists. He took one more step forward.

Reeves cleared his throat and rubbed his eyes. "Mr. Reeves, maybe this wasn't the best time to share the good news. Maybe we can schedule another meeting for—"

"Yes." Cassian nodded once. "Rose and I will expect to hear from you soon."

"I will contest the will." Bryan's eyes were on Rose now, glittering. "I won't let you have this. You're doing this because I wouldn't let you use the place and told you I had other plans."

"If you contest, you'll have to wait a long time to get your own share," Cassian said. "I fight back, Mr. Calloway."

"Bryan." Rose stepped forward from behind Cassian. "I'm not marrying him for the property. I know the timing is awkward, but it isn't what you think. We met when—" She stepped up next to Cassian and pushed her arm through his.

Cassian glanced down at her. "You don't have to explain anything to him."

Her eyes met his. Her mouth pressed into a thin line. "Yes, I do, Cassian. Of course I do."

"I'm not listening to one more word from you." Bryan's jaw was set. "This is not happening. If you force my hand, I will fight this." He strode out, making sure his shoulder connected hard with Cassian's on the way past.

The room breathed.

Then Dana uncrossed her legs and got to her feet, unhurried, like she'd been watching a film she'd already seen. Her eyes moved over Cassian slowly, head to toe, without any particular attempt to be subtle about it.

"Well." The corner of her mouth lifted. "Our pretty little Rose finally does something interesting." She looked at Rose. "Not bad, little cousin. Not an upgrade from Marcus, but since you've lost him, I guess this one will do."

Cassian's eyebrow went up. Dana smiled like she had a private joke running and lifted one shoulder.

"Not my type. Too serious, too stiff. But who am I to talk about your fiancé?" She crossed to Rose, leaned in, and kissed her cheek. Rose went rigid. "You know I don't care about the property stuff. I got my millions and the house from the will. But you knew Bryan had his eyes set on this." She lifted her hand and studied her pink fingernails. "I don't think this little marriage scheme will change anything. May the best one win, I guess." She smiled once more, bright and empty. "It'll be fun for me either way."

Then she was gone.

The door clicked shut and the room was quiet except for Reeves collecting his papers with the focused energy of a man pretending he hadn't witnessed any of that.

Cassian looked at Rose. "You did well."

It almost sounded like a compliment. Almost.

"Come by the office tomorrow," he said, already movin

g. "I'll have the contract ready for you to look over."

Rose exhaled. "Okay."