Assassin's Last Billionaire

Burnt Toast and Cold Expectations

- Lucian -

The Vale Residence

The sun crept in like an uninvited guest. I turned on my side, arm draping across the silk sheets that were cool against my skin. I threw off the sheets, sitting up shirtless on the edge of the bed. I glanced at the time on my phone. 10:47 a.m… Shit... I hadn’t meant to oversleep. He never did.

The Vale residence is a fortress of modern wealth, a cold architectural marvel that screamed success louder than any trophy ever could. Endless views of the private hills behind, manicured gardens untouched by time. Marble floors stretched from one end of the penthouse mansion to the other, each step echoing like an accusation. I padded barefoot through the hallways in a loose shirt and sweatpants. “He’s waiting for you, sir.” “Good morning, Mr. Vale,” the housekeeper said quietly as I passed. I turned, offering a nod. Her voice was soft. Hesitant. “He’s in the breakfast room. He’s… been waiting.” I muttered a curse under my breath and adjusted my shirt. Of course my Dad is already there. Waiting like a king, sipping judgment with his coffee.

He sat at the head of it, spine straight, suit crisp, not a single strand of salt and pepper hair out of place. The breakfast spread was impressive fresh-squeezed juices, croissants, eggs Benedict, avocado slices, roasted tomatoes, perfectly browned toast. A silent army of perfection. I slid into the seat opposite, grabbing a piece of burnt toast with two fingers. He didn’t look up. “You’re late.”in a demanding voice asking me for answers. I arched an eyebrow. “Didn’t realize we had an appointment.” My father finally met my gaze. “Breakfast with your father is not optional. Especially when your name still sits next to mine on every contract and every empire I built.”

I bit into the toast, letting the crunch fill the silence. “You’re still training,” He said, as if discussing the weather. I leaned back in my chair. “I like to sweat before I sleep. Keeps me human.” “Doesn’t help your public image. Now leave that childhood game and come back where you belong. You already quit on your company to play football”

“I didn’t quit. I escaped.” A flicker passed through Dad's face. Disappointment or disdain, I couldn’t tell anymore. “People don’t escape legacies, son. They inherit them. And wear them like armor.” My voice was low. “No. They wear them like chains.” He pushed his plate away, untouched. “You’ve been avoiding the spotlight for too long. The foundation board asked if you’ll return to the panel next quarter. Shall I tell them no again?” I shrugged. “Tell them I’m busy pretending to be irrelevant.” Dad's voice didn’t raise, but it sharpened. “Be ready for next month's meeting. I've had enough of your drama.” “Let me guess more photographs, more smiling at charity auctions? More pretending like we’re some royal f*****g family?”

He stood, adjusting his cufflinks.”Yes, because we are.” I watched his reflection glide across the polished glass wall like a ghost. Then came the blow. When he finally left the room, the silence was absolute. The ticking of the wall clock became thunder in my ears.

A moment passed. I looked at my phone. Elena’s calls and messages have flooded it. As I thought about opening her texts, “Sir…Ms. Elena here. She insists on seeing you.” Henry comes. My jaw ticked. I didn’t move. “Send her away.” I need a moment alone right now. The Last person I would talk to is Elena. “She’s already in the elevator.” Of course she was. Moments later, the elevator doors slid open like they had no business doing so at this hour. Elena stepped into my space like she still belonged to a world I never invited her into. Long black coat, lips too red for a casual visit. “Lucian,” she said, voice soft, almost amused. “It’s been a while.” I didn’t rise. Just stared. “Elena.” My voice held nothing. Not welcome. Not warmth. Not hate. Just emptiness. Just what I was feeling. “I thought we could talk,” she said, walking slowly toward the glass table I sat at. “Face to face. Without tabloids or family dinners.” “You should’ve thought of that before you put your tongue down someone else’s throat.” She stopped walking. The hit landed clean. Her lips pressed together. “That was….a….a mistake.” “No.” I rose now, finally, slowly. “The mistake was me ever pretending I was okay playing your boyfriend just because your father and mine wanted to join forces like we were pieces on a chessboard.” “You never touched me,” she said quietly. “Not once in the year we were ‘together.’ What was I supposed to think? It was a weak moment. It just happened. It was nothing ” I arched my brow. “That I didn’t want to fake affection for someone I didn’t choose.” Her mouth parted slightly, stunned. Then she folded her arms, defensive. “I care about you, Lucian. I have always loved you, since childhood. I am trying everything to keep us together.” I stepped forward, keeping my voice level. “You tried to please my mother. You tried to keep your father’s alliance intact. But us? There was never an us, Elena.” “I made a mistake,” she said again, firmer this time. “But I want to try again. For real this time, Not for our parents. For us.” I laughed at her answer. I turned and walked toward the glass wall. “You don’t want me. You want what I became after I walked away from you.” She flinched.

“You think I don’t see through you?” I asked, looking at her reflection in the glass. “You don’t get to want me now. You had your shot. You broke it. You turned a deal into a joke, and now you’re here hoping to pick up the scraps because I finally have a spine?” “No, I’m here because I still feel something when I look at you,” she shot back. “That’s not love,” Lucian said calmly. “That is regret. They’re not the same.” Her face crumbled for the first time. “Do you really feel nothing?” I never felt anything for you girl. “Or is this about that mystery girl people are talking about?” I walked to the door and opened it without answering. “Elena,” I said, looking straight into her eyes, “Leave.” She didn’t move. Her eyes shimmered. “I won't let it happen.” Biting her lips, “After everything I've gone through, I will never let her take what is mine.” she continued, “You ever think what we could’ve been if—?” “Don’t,” I said sharply. “We weren’t anything. You were convenient. That’s all.” Silence again. “Don't make me call the guards.” She walked to the door slowly, passing me without a word. But just before she stepped out, she looked back over her shoulder. With the gleam of a cunning fox, the kind that licks its wounds in silence only to return later sharper, hungrier, ready to strike where it hurts. The door shut behind her. I stood there, pulse steady, until I finally exhaled.

Henry comes again, “My apologies for what happened. Next time I will be extra careful. She came out of nowhere. I think she has access to doors.” I gave a tight nod. My mother has given her thinking she will become her daughter-in-law one day. “She said she wants to ‘try again.’ We both know what that means.” I told him.

Henry leaned back slightly, thoughtful. “And?” “She looked at me like she wasn’t finished. Like she’d be back with fangs next time.” Henry smirked faintly. “She always did like the long game.” My voice dropped. “I want you to keep an eye on her.” Now Henry did blink. “You think she’s dangerous?” I shook my head. “No. Elena’s... slippery. Strategic. She doesn’t need weapons. She’ll use the media. My mother. The board. Whoever gives her access.” Henry’s expression darkened. “Understood.” Henry nodded and started typing. “I’ll assign someone from the internal team. No ties to security. You’ll get daily updates.” I stood noticing the clock. “I’m heading to the pitch, need to prepare for semi-finals.”

-River-

I slid into a booth, my leather jacket still damp from the drizzle outside. My lips were painted a muted crimson, my hair messily. Tonight, I am not River. I am Danny, the bored woman drinking alone. Exactly the kind no one pays attention to. A waitress passed by. I held up two fingers. “Whiskey. Double. Neat.” Before she does, a low voice comes “ Bad day?” Honey appeared from behind.