The Northvale Key

Episode 10

Cassian’s world came to a standstill. It wasn’t just the ancient dust and bloodstains inside the silver briefcase, but Kenneth Stark’s gaze, which seemed to strip away the disguise he had worn for years. The Northvale m******e investigation files. Did Stark know his true identity?

The once-tense lobby transformed into a scene of whispered horror. Every eye, from the pale Grandmother to the low-level staff who had just returned to work, was fixed on the files Stark presented. The faint hiss of the building’s air conditioning now sounded like the whistle of death.

"This is nothing but a coincidence," Grandmother said, trying to steady herself, her voice trembling slightly. "Old documents... they don't belong to Valerian. Leave, Mr. Stark. You are overstepping your bounds." "Bounds? Oh, Old Madam," Kenneth Stark laughed cynically, "my bounds were destroyed long ago. The Northvale family didn't touch Valerian back then, but that was in the past. Now, everything has changed. Your ownership is about to hit zero. We only want your property."

He snapped the briefcase shut and turned a disdainful look toward Cassian. "I suppose our fate-decider isn't interested in discussing the past. So, let’s get to the heart of the matter. I’m not here just with worthless ancient files; I’m here with the majority vote of the Valerian Group’s minority shareholders."

Stark grinned widely, his white teeth perfectly straight, but there was an unmatched savagery behind them. "Distinguished ladies and gentlemen. Based on the majority agreement reached just ten minutes ago, Stark Capital is officially making a full takeover bid for Valerian Group's shares. You have twenty-four hours to sell all your shares to us at a discount, or we will force a direct market raid and bury your company financially."

Suddenly, the entire room erupted in chaos. Several directors shouted in shock, while others sighed in resignation. Lianna gripped Cassian’s arm, her body freezing. Her eyes widened in panic as she looked at Grandmother, who seemed to age instantly. "Grandmother! What does this mean? A majority vote?" Lianna cried. "How can he perform a hostile takeover? We never discussed this in the board meetings!" "Your father sold fifteen percent of Valerian’s shares to Stark Capital as a secret family emergency reserve yesterday afternoon," Viona hissed behind Lianna, her voice filled with fear and hatred. "They’ve picked us off one by one... And soon, Valerian will be finished!"

Hearing those words, Viona let out a hysterical scream, followed by the wails of other Ashworth family members who now saw the end in sight. Grandmother leaned on her cane, her eyes staring blankly into the distance, toward Cassian, who still stood motionless in the center of the swirling anger. "What is happening?" Grandmother’s voice shook. "Is there no way out? Lianna! As CEO, say something!"

Lianna tried to organize her racing thoughts. She felt a gentle pat on her shoulder. Cassian placed a small, folded slip of paper in her palm, then moved the three cups of hot coffee he was holding. Don’t look at me, Cassian whispered soundlessly. Read it.

Lianna unfolded the paper with trembling hands. There, written in a familiar hand, were three lines. Cassian’s handwriting. ‘Reverse Acquisition. Force the sale of toxic assets. Use locked equity for the spot market.’

Reverse acquisition? Lianna turned the paper over, looking at Cassian in confusion. This idea sounded insane. How could a Valerian Group on the brink of bankruptcy possibly acquire the powerful Stark Capital? "Everyone! Everyone who has been here for fifty years knows exactly that this is our end! There is no other way!" the desperate voice of the CFO, Mr. Harland, rang out, making the atmosphere even more chaotic.

Cassian whispered softly in Lianna’s ear. "It’s the only chance." Lianna looked at Grandmother, who was now weak and slumped in her chair. She looked toward Stark Capital, who was smirking triumphantly. Hot blood suddenly surged through her veins. I cannot let all my efforts be destroyed today. The craftsmen, the workers, even Grandmother... I cannot give up!

Lianna took a deep breath, wetting her dry lips. She stepped forward, clutching Cassian's paper tightly, and climbed onto the lobby stage where Stark had stood. "Stop this panic!" Lianna shouted, her voice cutting through the noise. She grabbed the microphone. All eyes turned to her. "Stark Capital. I, as the CEO of Valerian Group, officially reject your acquisition offer!"

Kenneth Stark laughed loudly. "What did you say, Mrs. Ashworth? Have you lost your mind? With what funds will you fight us?" "With the reserve funds you haven't touched yet," Lianna replied firmly. She felt Cassian’s gaze from below the stage, giving her an invisible strength. "We will not sell. We will fight!"

"Fight? With the remains of rotten debt that will soon bankrupt you? Impossible! This is crazy!" Grandmother exclaimed, looking at Lianna with anger and despair. "We’ve lost too much, Lianna! I won’t take any more risks!"

Lianna looked straight at Grandmother, her eyes radiating a resolve she had never shown before. This was her final gamble for her reputation. The choice is in my hands, now or never. Lianna held up the slip of paper from Cassian before Grandmother’s eyes. Grandmother glanced at it, her face contorting between disbelief and shock.

"This is a crazy idea that will save us. Even if you don't believe in me... or in the tactics I am proposing..." Lianna closed her eyes for a moment, her breath hitching. "...I will use my full power as CEO to execute this strategy! It doesn't matter who is rallying behind Stark or that Coven Entity! Valerian will strike back with its own roots. But I need your blessing, Grandmother. To lead it."

A deathly silence followed. In the lobby doorway, Kenneth Stark watched it all with a satisfied smirk. To him, Valerian’s downfall was imminent. However, Grandmother looked at the paper in Lianna’s hand once more. The wrinkles on her forehead deepened. Her eyes fixed sharply on Cassian’s writing that read ‘Reverse Acquisition.’

A decision rested in her hands. To protect it? Or to let it all fall because she followed her useless son-in-law.