FORBIDDEN ECSTASY: Step-Siblings

CHAPTER FOUR - Things I Wasn’t Supposed to Know

The black sedan rolled smoothly through the city streets as the early morning traffic began to build.

Ronald sat in the back seat, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp as he reviewed the documents on his tablet. The skyline reflected off the tinted window beside him, but his focus never left the screen.

Across from him sat the only man he trusted with the darker parts of his empire.

Chris had been working with Ronald for years now — long before Ronald officially took over as CEO of the Walton empire.

He wasn’t just an employee, he was Ronald’s right hand.

Chris placed a folder on the seat between them.

“These came in an hour ago,” he said.

Ronald didn’t look up yet.

“From last night?”

Chris nodded. “Yes.”

Ronald finally lifted his gaze. “Talk.”

Chris opened the folder and slid several photos across.

“They hit one of the east-side warehouses around midnight.”

Ronald studied the images carefully.

“Broken crates, Damaged equipment, one of his men lying on the ground unconscious”. Chris said

His expression didn’t change.

But the air in the car suddenly felt colder.

“Casualties?” Ronald asked.

“One injured. No deaths.”

Ronald nodded once. “Who did it?”

Chris hesitated slightly.

“That’s the interesting part.”

Ronald looked up again.

“We pulled footage from nearby cameras. The trucks they used were unmarked, but we managed to trace the plates.”

Chris slid another document forward.

Ronald scanned the page, his jaw tightened slightly.

“The Romano family,” he said flatly.

Chris leaned back.

“Looks like they’re testing boundaries.”

Ronald closed the folder slowly.

“They’ve been quiet for months.”

“Too quiet,” Adrian replied.

The car turned a corner as the massive glass tower of Walton Enterprises came into view ahead.

Ronald looked out the window at the building for a moment.

“Did they take anything?”

“No,” Chris said. “It was more of a message.”

Ronald’s lips pressed into a thin line.

“They should’ve chosen their message more carefully.”

Chris watched him closely.

“What are your orders?”

The car pulled into the private underground parking entrance.

Ronald gathered the folder and adjusted his tie once the vehicle stopped.

His voice remained calm, but the quiet threat behind it was unmistakable.

“Send them one back.”

Chris gave a small nod.

“I already thought you’d say that.”

They stepped out of the car and headed toward the private elevator that led directly to Ronald’s office floor.

As the elevator doors closed, Adrian spoke again.

“One more thing.”

Ronald looked at him.

“What?”

Chris smirked faintly.

“I heard you have a stepmom and she has a daughter.”

Ronald’s expression didn’t change.

“Yes.”

Chris raised an eyebrow.

“That should be… interesting.”

Ronald adjusted his cufflinks.

“Focus on the Romano situation.”

Chris chuckled.

“Right.”

But as the elevator doors opened onto the executive floor, Ronald’s mind briefly drifted back to the breakfast table that morning.

Cassie’s frustrated expression and the way she glared at him.

Ronald stepped into his office.

Something told him she wasn’t going to make working together easy.

And somehow…

He had the feeling that was the least complicated problem he’d be dealing with today.

Meanwhile, back at the mansion—

Cassie stood in the middle of her room, staring at her reflection.

Her blazer was still perfectly fitted, her bag still hung on her shoulder.

But she hadn’t moved for the past ten minutes.

“You start tomorrow.” Ronald’s voice echoed in her head.

Cassie scoffed. “Not happening.”

She pulled the blazer off in one swift motion and tossed it onto the bed.

Everything about this felt wrong, being told what to do, being forced into a job she didn’t ask for.

And worst of all, working under Ronald??, her freaking step-brother

Cassie ran a hand through her hair in frustration.

“No,” she muttered. “I’m not doing this.”

Without thinking twice, she grabbed her phone and left her room. If there was one place she needed to be right now, it wasn’t this house.

The front door opened with more force than necessary.

Cassie stepped out, the cool morning air hitting her face as she walked quickly toward the driveway.

A driver standing nearby straightened immediately.

“Miss, where are you headed? I can—”

“I’ll handle it,” Cassie cut in.

Her tone wasn’t rude, just… firm. She needed control over something, anything and within minutes, she was already on her way, she had booked an Uber to take her to her destination.

Moments later, Lia opened the door before Cassie could knock a second time.

“Cassie??”

Cassie didn’t even say anything.

She just stepped inside and dropped her bag on the couch.

“I’m losing my mind.”

Thi blinked, then quickly shut the door.

“Okay—wait—what happened?? You just moved into a mansion yesterday, how are you already stressed??”

Cassie began pacing the room.

“They want me to quit my job.”

Lia tilted her head and gave an eyebrow

“…Okay, that’s not the worst thing in the world.”

Cassie stopped and turned to her.

“No, listen. Not just quit. They want me to work for them.”

Lia's eyes widened slightly. “For the billionaire family business??”

“Yes!”

Lia paused. “…That still doesn’t sound bad.”

Cassie threw her hands up. “You don’t get it!”

Lia crossed her arms. “…Cassie, I’m trying really hard to see the problem here.”

Cassie opened her mouth…. then stopped.

Because she couldn’t say it.

She couldn’t explain why working there was a bad idea.

Because explaining it meant explaining Ronald and the night they had a few months ago before they became siblings and she wasn’t ready to do that.

So instead, she turned away.

“It’s just… too much,” she said quietly.

Lia watched her carefully.

“That’s not everything.”

Cassie stayed silent and Lia stepped closer.

“Cassie.”

Cassie shook her head and sat on the couch

“Can we not do this right now?”

A pause, Then Lia sighed.

“Fine. But you’re telling me eventually.”

Cassie gave a small nod.

“Eventually.”

Silence settled for a moment.

Then Lia suddenly clapped her hands.

“Okay! New plan.”

Cassie blinked. “What?”

“You are not spending your day stressing about rich people's problems.”

Cassie raised an eyebrow.

“…Wow.”

“I’m serious,” Lia continued. “We’re going out. Food, music, distraction. You need to breathe.”

Cassie hesitated.

For a second, she almost said no.

But then she thought about the mansion and everything waiting for her there, then she exhaled.

“…Fine.”

Lia grinned, “That’s my pretty b!tch.”

They had just started getting ready when—

Knock! Knock! On the door

Lia frowned.

“Are you expecting someone?, Because I’m not”

Cassie shook her head.

“No…”

The knock came again.

This time, firmer.

Lia walked toward the door, slightly cautious, and opened it.

A man stood outside.

Dressed in a clean, dark suit.

His posture was straight and professional, but his face was hidden slightly beneath the angle of the light.

“Good afternoon,” he said calmly. “I’m here for Miss Cassie Dinker.”

Lia blinked.

“…Excuse me?”

Behind her, Cassie froze and slowly, she stepped forward.

“I’m Cassie.”

The man gave a small nod.

“I was sent to take you home.”

Cassie’s brows pulled together. “…Home?”

“Yes, Miss.”

Her confusion quickly turned into suspicion. “How did you even know I was here?, Because I told nobody where I was going.”

The man didn’t answer and his expression didn’t change.

“I’ve been instructed to bring you back safely.”

Cassie let out a quiet, disbelieving laugh.

“Wow.”

Lia turned to her.

“Cassie… is everything okay?”

Cassie didn’t respond immediately. Because honestly, she didn’t know. Maybe Dad noticed she wasn’t home That part made sense at least he would have called or told Mom to call me.

But this? It felt… different or maybe I’m just getting started with this new life of mine because how fast did he notice I was gone?, She looked back at the man.

“Who sent you?”, Cassie said

“Your father, Miss.”

Cassie held his gaze for a few seconds longer.

Trying to read something, anything but there was nothing there, just professionalism and being on duty

She exhaled slowly.

“Great.” She said a bit annoyed

Lia grabbed her arm lightly. “Are you sure?”

Cassie gave her a small nod. “I’ll be okay.”

Lia didn’t look convinced but then what would you expect.

“Call me when you get there.”

“I will.”

Cassie picked up her bag and walked toward the door.

As she stepped outside, she paused for just a second before opening the car door, a strange feeling settling in her chest again like something in her life was shifting too fast… And she wasn’t fully in control of it.

She slid into the back seat of the car the door closed and without another word, the car drove off,

After A long drive, the car slowed as the tall gates of the mansion came into view.

Cassie didn’t look outside because she already knew where she was.

The gates opened almost immediately, and the car glided in like it had been expected.

Of course it had.

By the time the car came to a stop, a few staff members were already outside on duty probably.

Cassie stepped out slowly, adjusting her bag on her shoulder, her expression calm—too calm.

Inside, everything felt the same. The moment she stepped into the living room…

“Cassie!”

Her mother rushed toward her, relief flooding her face.

“Where did you go? Do you know how worried I was?”

Cassie didn’t respond immediately,She simply walked past her not being rude, just… distant.

“I needed air,” she said calmly.

Her mother turned, trying to keep up with her.

“You could have told someone, at least. This isn’t—”

“I’m fine.”

That stopped her.

Cassie finally turned to face her, her expression composed but firm. “I’m right here. Nothing happened.”

Her mother softened slightly, but the concern didn’t leave her eyes.“That’s not the point, Cassie—”

“Where’s Dad?”

The question cut through everything.

Her mother blinked. “…He’s in his study.”

Cassie gave a small nod. “Good.”

She turned to leave…

“Cassie.” Her mother’s voice was gentler this time.

“Can we talk first?”,Cassie paused and for a brief second, something flickered in her eyes but it disappeared just as quickly.

“There’s nothing to talk about.”, And with that, she walked off.

The hallway felt longer than usual. Each step echoed softly against the marble floors,Cassie stopped in front of the study door.

She didn’t knock immediately Instead, she took a breath.

Then…. Knock!….knock!

“Come in.” Her father’s voice.

Cassie opened the door.

He was seated behind his desk, reading through a file, but looked up the moment she entered.

For a second…..There was silence, then he closed the file.

“I heard you went out.”

Cassie stepped further in, closing the door behind her.

“You sent someone to get me.”It wasn’t a question.

Her father leaned back slightly in his chair. “I did.”

Cassie folded her arms. “How did you even know where I was?”

A pause…..not long but noticeable.

“I made sure you were safe.”

Cassie let out a quiet breath, almost a laugh—but there was no humour in it.

“That’s not what I asked.”

Her father studied her carefully.

And for the first time…There was a hint of tension in the room.

“Cassie,” he said calmly, “you left without telling anyone. That’s not something I take lightly.”

“And tracking me is?” she replied, just as calm.

Neither of them raised their voice.

But the weight in the room, It grew heavier.

“I didn’t track you,” he said. “I ensured your location was known.”

Cassie’s brows pulled together slightly.

“That’s the same thing.”

“No,” he replied. “It’s responsibility.”

Cassie held his gaze trying to decide whether to push further or let it go.

But then…Her mind flashed back to everything else, and she exhaled slowly.

“I’m not working there.”

There it was, Straight to the point,Her father didn’t react immediately.

“I wasn’t asking.”

Cassie’s jaw tightened slightly.

“Then I’m telling you.”

Her father stood up slowly from his chair..

“You’re part of this family now, Cassie.”

Her expression didn’t change. “That doesn’t mean I stop being myself.”

“That company is part of your future.”

Cassie shook her head once. “No. It’s part of yours.”.

Her father walked around the desk, stopping a few steps in front of her.

“You think I’m trying to control you.”

Cassie didn’t respond.

Because yes, she did think so

“I’m trying to protect you,” he continued.

Cassie finally spoke.

“From what?”

And that question lingered, because for the first time in this new whole world, a lot of things are beginning to get strange and something in her chest tightened.