The Billionaire's Forgotten Heir

Something about her

The room fell silent for a moment before Caspian leaned forward.

"You've been summoned because the five-year period is almost over."

Damon frowned. "What five-year period?"

Caspian stared at him for a moment before letting out a sigh.

"It seems you really don't remember huh?"

There was a trace of mockery in his voice, and his eyes held something colder.

"Five years ago, when your grandfather transferred his controlling shares to you, there was a condition attached. You were given five years to get married and establish an heir who could carry on the Carter bloodline and protect the family's control of the company."

Damon's expression remained still.

"And if I don't?"

"Then the shares you received under that agreement will be reconsidered according to the family's succession arrangement."

Caspian leaned back. "Nathan is already preparing to marry. If he fulfills the requirement before you do, he will have a stronger claim to become the next heir."

Damon's jaw tightened.

"So that's what this is about."

"Your grandfather built Carter Group with his own hands," Caspian said.

"He didn't intend for it to end up without a proper successor simply because you refuse to fulfill your responsibility."

Damon's eyes turned cold.

"Don't confuse responsibility with entitlement."

Caspian's expression darkened.

"You're in no position to lecture anyone about entitlement. Your father should have been the one sitting where you are–"

"And he isn't."

The words landed heavily and Damon's fist clenched tight.

Caspian wasn't capable of running the company. That was why when Lucas died, Caspian didn't take over causing Edward to run the family business for a few more years.

Nathan was even less capable, and Emily—Damon's eyes briefly settled on her—would never get her hands on what his grandfather had spent his entire life building.

He had spent five years protecting Carter Group from people who saw it as nothing more than something to be divided among themselves.

He wasn't about to let a shrewd woman and her son take it from him.

"There is still time before the deadline," Damon said.

Caspian's eyes narrowed. "And what do you intend to do?"

Damon paused.

For the first time, the answer was clear in his mind.

"Get married."

Emily quickly stepped in.

"Caspian, that's enough. Damon just recovered, and he's already dealing with so much. Perhaps we shouldn't pressure him about marriage."

Her gentle tone only made Caspian's expression darken.

"Pressure him? Your husband spent his entire life protecting that boy, and what did he get for it? He died because of him, yet Damon has continued to enjoy everything my brother left behind!"

Damon's fingers curled against his palm, but he kept his expression calm. He would get married. That was the only thing that mattered.

Caspian scoffed looking at him.

"And even if you marry, can you produce an heir before the deadline? Nathan and Victoria love each other. Believe it or not, the moment they marry and Victoria becomes pregnant, father's shares won't belong to you anymore."

Damon finally looked at him, his voice low and deadly.

"Then let him tie the knot first."

With that, he pushed off the couch and walked away. Their voices fading into the distance.

*

CARTER'S MAISON

Skyler stood on the balcony, the thought of Edward still fresh in her mind. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Mark.

"How's the information about Damon going?"

A few minutes later, Mark replied.

"Give me a few more days, boss. It's a bit complicated here."

Skyler read the reply with a purse of her lips.

Just then, the loud honk of a car could be heard from downstairs, and a black Audi pulled up to the curb.

Skyler looked down from the balcony, eyes narrowing at the sight of Nathan.

It was understandable knowing Edward lived here, but then the passenger door swung open, and a petite-looking woman stepped out.

Victoria.

Skyler watched them head into the main house, her eyes following every step.

'Ding'

The soft chime of her phone brought back her attention. She pulled it out to see it was another message from Mark.

"Mr. Thompson's throwing a birthday party in two days. Want me to check on some information about Mrs. Selena?"

Skyler hesitated, thumb hovering over the screen.

The birthday banquet was indeed a good distraction to find out more about her mom.

If what Edward had said was right, then Thompson couldn't have been too careful.

After a while, she texted back.

"No need. I'd do it myself." Clicking send, she pocketed her phone and went back inside, not wanting to deal with Victoria or her antics.

**

As soon as they stepped into the vast, open space, Victoria was dazzled by the lavish décor. The place exuded an air of long-standing wealth; priceless artworks hung around on the walls. It was even more impressive than the Carter estate.

Nathan tightened his grip on her hand.

"Don't forget, you need to show Grandfather just how elegant and confident you are. Do you hear me?"

"Don't worry, Nathan; rest assured," she replied playfully, a radiant smile on her lips.

Nathan nodded, smiling. The timing was perfect. Since the old man suffered from chronic memory loss, it would be easy to get him to accept his fiancée—and to hold him to his promises.

At that thought, Nathan’s smile widened.

With those additional shares added to his own, and Emily rallying the family against Damon, his chances of seizing control of the Carter Group would triple.

"Nathan?"

He was still lost in thought when Victoria’s voice broke the silence.

He turned toward her, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Did the Carters hire a new staff member?"

"Of course not. The butler and a few maids are enough; Grandfather doesn't want too many people in the house."

Hearing this, Victoria breathed a sigh of relief.

A moment earlier, as she stepped out of the car, she had thought she caught a glimpse of Skyler on the balcony.

It must have been a figment of her imagination.

What would Skyler be doing here?

She tightened her grip on Nathan—who was still lost in his daydreams—and pursed her lips. They soon arrived at Edward’s door; Nathan knocked and then opened it.

Edward was sitting comfortably on the sofa, sipping from his cup of tea. Victoria froze when she saw him.

Wasn't he the man at the cemetery?

She glanced at Nathan who was oblivious to her change of expression; she smiled and walked in with him.

It's a good thing the old man memory is weak.

"Grandfather,"

Nathan said, all smiles. Edward set down his cup; his brows furrowed, then relaxed.

He smiled.

"My, my, you didn't tell me you were coming," he said, shifting over to make room for them.

No sooner had they sat down than Nathan took Victoria’s hand and said:

"Grandfather, this is Victoria, my fiancée."

Edward’s eyes lit up. "Really? That’s wonderful!"

Nathan smiled.

"You remember your promise, don't you? You said that every daughter-in-law would receive ten percent of your personal shares once she officially joined the family."

Edward’s smile froze for a moment; then he stared at Victoria—so intensely that a bead of sweat trickled down the young woman’s back.

Edward pursed his lips and declared: "My memory may be failing me, but my instincts never lie. There is something off about this girl."