The Red Line
1052 Words
She heard her father’s urgent tone as it came through the phone. She hadn’t told him about the marriage contract or how she’d done it. Now, he sounded more desperate than she had ever heard him.
“Dad? She forced calm into her voice and asked, ‘What’s going on?’
“I just got word… They’re demanding an emergency vote to remove me as CEO.
Someone’s been leaking evidence about the company, and it’s not just about us. It’s... dangerous, Ava.” Her father giving a cracked voice, which rattled her.
She replied, grabbing her keys and saying “I’ll come to the office.”
“No! They’re watching us. Meet me somewhere public, the marina in an hour. And Ava, be careful.”
She ended the call, her mind racing. She knew this had to be Liam’s doing, but she couldn’t believe that he managed to get there so quickly. He was pulling strings she didn’t know existed.
An hour later, she arrived at the marina, spotting her father near the dock. He was wearing an intense face.
Her heart was pounding as she demanded, “What’s going on Dad?”
He looked around, then said, “It's worse than I thought.” “It’s not about the financials as much, someone is sending anonymous messages to the board.” They’re digging up… other things.”
“Other things?” Ava asked, a chill running down her spine.
“Old secrets, things I thought were buried for the companies progress.” false guilt flickered in his eyes as he looked her in the eyes. “Something you don’t know, Ava.”
She swallowed, feeling like the ground was shifting beneath her. “What is it?”
“Years ago, before you were born… the Grants and Sinclairs weren’t just rivals. We were partners. And then..”
But before he could finish, the sound of footsteps echoed on the dock. They both turned, and Ava’s breath hitched. Liam was walking toward them, his expression a perfect storm of smug confidence and icy intent.
“A family reunion,” with his hands casually tucked into his pockets. “Touching.”
“Liam, why are you here?” Ava snapped, stepping protectively in front of her father.
He shrugged, looking completely unbothered. “Your family has something I want. And until I get it, consider yourself… watched.”
Ava clenched her fists. “You had your way last night. Isn’t that enough?”
“Enough?” Amusement winked through the gaze of he and he raised an eyebrow. “You really don’t get it, do you, Ava?”
With a swift motion, he held out a document, a deed to a property Ava didn’t recognize, signed by both her father and Liam’s father. The date on it was from years ago, a deal her father had never mentioned.
“What is this?” Ava demanded, glancing at her father, who looked shocked.
“Your family owes mine. We weren’t just partners; they betrayed us. Your father took everything from mine, and it’s time I collect.”
Ava’s father stepped forward, his face defiant. “That’s a lie. I only took what was rightfully ours. Your father…”
“Rightfully yours?” Liam interrupted, his voice low and venomous. “That land was my family’s legacy, and you stole it with forged documents and backdoor deals.”
Ava’s mind whirled. She had always known her family and the Grants had a bitter history, but this went deeper than anything she’d imagined.
“Liam, listen to me..”
“No, Ava.” His gaze was unrelenting. “This marriage of convenience won't stand. Never!”
“Or what,” she asked, though her heart was thudding.
He said chillingly, “ I’ll work my way down to destroying Sinclair Enterprises from the inside out.”
He said, his tone chilling. “Starting with your father.”
Ava felt her stomach twist. She knew he was capable of it. Liam had assets, contacts and a vendetta, fueled centuries old betrayal.
Her father looked at her with a subtle smile and looked at him again and asked: "Liam, what do you want?"
Liam’s dark smile curved his lips. “It's simple,” he said.
“Sign over Sinclair Enterprises to me, and I’ll call off the board vote. It’ll be like nothing ever happened.”
Her father’s face went dark. “That won't happen.”
“Oh, yeah it will.” Liam’s voice was smooth, lethal. “You took something from my family, and now, I’m taking everything back.”
Ava’s mind raced. She couldn’t give up her family’s company and the thought of selling it was impossible. And with Liam controlling the board, they were cornered. She needed a way to turn the tables.
Before she could come up with a plan, Liam held out a pen, his gaze fixed on her father. “Time’s ticking. If you don’t sign, the evidence I have goes public.”
Her father glanced at Ava, his expression torn. scared his little dark deals will soon come to light. She shook her head subtly, silently begging him not to give in. Liam’s cold gaze didn’t falter, however.
Her father whispered as he reached for the pen, pretending to give in but fully aware of what to do next. “Fine.”
Liam was about to sign though, when Ava leaped forward, snatching the document from his hand.
“No,” she said firmly. “We’re not surrendering. There’s another way.”
Liam’s eyes darkened, his mouth twisting into a smile that sent chills down her spine. “Bold move, Ava.
“Can you handle the consequences?”
His voice was barely above a whisper and he leaned closer. “You will wish you never crossed me by the time I'm finished.”
He turned and walked away and left Ava standing there, her heart pounding fear and determination. She knew when she said it, she was declaring war on him.
As her father placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice shook pretending to come clean as old secrets of his dark past are been uncovered. “Ava… there’s something else about what really happened back then.”
Ava’s breath caught as he whispered, “Your mother’s death… wasn’t an accident.”
- Writer
