005: THE HELIOS MERGER

~~Rain~~

 Until an hour before the engagement, I had contemplated ending everything. I almost made the engagement called off, ready to face the consequences. But when I saw Selene Vaughn, I changed my mind without further ado.

One would think that a woman who stays off social media like it’s a plague would be unsightly. She’s quite the opposite. A pretty face with hazel eyes that seems so easy to drown in. She’s smart too, the perfect trophy wife material. She will be a good asset to take around during business events. 

“Mr Manchester,” Tony’s voice breaks into my thoughts. “I found out something new about the scandal.” The engagement went smoothly. Roman had been all smiles, ready to welcome a new member into the family. David didn’t attend. He’s probably on another trip around the world, sightseeing and spending money he doesn’t work for. 

And Ava, she also didn’t attend, which is a relief. As much as I want her around, I don’t want her to see me with another woman. 

“It seems your bride is behind it after all. The owner of a tabloid account has been apprehended. His bank account shows credit alerts from Selene Vaughn.”

I scoff. She not only has me drugged, she also paid tabloids to push news of the scandal? She had looked so clueless and innocent when we met. It was hard to believe that she pulled off something this big on her own. 

“The drug found in your system is also tied to her. It’s a substance used in a pharmaceutical company Vaughn beauty partners with.”

“That’s enough,” I tell Tony. The deed has been done. 

“Will you really go ahead with the marriage? You can sue her, let everyone know she planned this. Surely, your father would understand and call off the wedding.”

“That’s too much of a hassle. You know that. We worked so hard to gain recognition for the Helios Merger. If it slips out of our hands because of something that could have been avoided, I'll never forgive myself.”

For the past three months, I worked on securing a slot for the Manchester group in the biggest deal Raven Heights have ever seen. We’re signing a multi-billion dollar partnership with an international company, Helios construction. Roman has been smiling every day since we won the bid. The marriage to Selene will last a year, while the Manchester group will enjoy the benefits of the merger for years. If things go too well, I may be named as the successor.

I have to make things work.

Tony sighs. “I’m just worried about you. You already have your stepbrother to deal with. Marrying a cunning woman will do more harm than good."

“She’s nowhere near my level when it comes to that, Tony. You have nothing to worry about.”

Tony nods and switches his tablet on, changing the topic with admirable professionalism. “You have a busy schedule for the next two weeks,” he says. “You have a cake tasting event with Miss Vaughn, a prewedding photoshoot and fittings for your wedding outfits. We also received interview requests from TV stations.”

“Turn them down.” 

“Your father wants you to attend them.”

I groan, pressing my fingers against my temple. “Turn them down. I am doing him a huge favour by accepting to marry her already.”

“Understood.”

“Cancel the cake tasting event. We will have separate fittings for the wedding outfits. As for the photoshoot…”

Apprehension clouds Tony's face. His finger linger over the tablet as he waits for my directive.

“Keep it on the schedule..”

Relief floods through him. “You have to keep up appearances for the public, Mr Manchester.”

I refuse to be Miss Vaughn’s pawn. She must have hoped that this would be the wedding of her dreams, at my expense. I will never give her the satisfaction."

The door opens. David walks in, his hands in his pockets. Tony bows and excuses himself quickly. What the hell is he doing here? Isn’t he supposed to be out of the country like he always is?

“Sorry I missed your engagement, brother,” he sneers, tracing his fingers against the edge of my desk. 

My teeth grit together. Seeing David never ends well. The fucker is always condescending, always rubbing his success in my face, always reminding me of how i would never achieve the things he has no matter how hard i work.

As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. The system is set up to make people like me fail. Illegitimate sons are considered as sub humans in a place like Raven Heights. But I have no intention to let the stereotype define me.

“Your absence wasn’t felt.”

He rolls his eyes lazily, a dry smirk playing on his lips. “I thougght it was a rumor. You have been infatuated with Ava all your life. Who would have thought you’d move on so quickly?”

At the mention of Ava, my hands clench into tight fists. “Keep her name out of your mouth.”

“You seem to have forgotten that she’s my fiancee," he huffs, eyes darkening. “Tell me, Rain. Are you still in love with her?”

I don’t reply. He doesn’t deserve an answer. David always tries to rile me up. It’s best to not give him the chance to.

“Does your innocent bride-to-be know that she’s nothing but a rebound?”

I scoff. Innocent? Miss Vaughn is nothing but innocent.

David knows nothing about the scandal, and I intend to keep things that way. This marriage pleases Roman. David has always been insecure when it comes to me. If he finds out that I am only getting married because of the scandal, he’ll do everything in his power to stop it just to make me fall out of my father’s favour.

I can't let that happen.

"Shouldn't you be happy that I am finally moving on from Ava?”

His jaw clenches in fury. “Your feelings for her doesn't change a thing. She’s engaged to me now.”

“It doesn't seem that way to me. You have always been scared that she’d see you for the lazy weakling that you are and return to me, David."

“Ava is in love with me.” His voice shakes. He is trying to convince himself that he’s right. If I snatched the woman my brother had dated for eleven years, I'd doubt her love for me too.

“Whattver rocks your boat, David. Leave.”

He mutters something I can't hear under his breath and walks to the door. Then he stops, his hand on the knob.

“Dad gave your fiancee five percent of his shares.”

What!

Satisfaction clouds David's face. 

“You know what that means, Rain. It seems you have gotten yourself a dangerous viper who doesn’t mind stabbing you in the back. She may end up overthrowing you in the succession race.”

What the hell is Roman Manchester doing? He’s never this generous to even his children? Why would he give a complete stranger that amount of shares? A few more and she’ll become a major shareholder. 

There is more to serene Vaughn than meets the eye.

The door reopens before David can pull the knob. Hargrove pokes his head in.

“Your attention is needed in the Black room.”

David and I make our way to the Black room, a sanctuary my father has reserved for himself in the Manchester villa. It lives up to his name, with dark walls and curtains with just one window and very dim lighting. Roman is seated on a rocking chair, a smoking pipe stuck to the corner of his lips. 

“There's a problem with the Helios merger,” he says. “A problematic shareholder is holding back on signing off the deal.”

David snorts. “With a scandal like Rain’s, this was to be expected. They must have second thoughts now.”

“The scandal was handled efficiently. Everyone thinks Miss Vaughn and I have been a couple for a long time.”

“All it takes is a little digging, Rain,” he cuts in. “You can claim to love someone else now, but they can find out about your infatuation with my woman after a little digging.”

“She was never your woman.”

“Is she yours, then?” Roman questions. I go quiet, looking at him. He shakes his head in disdain. “Have some shame. You’re about to get married. What will people say when they find out you have eyes for a woman that belongs to your brother.”

Ava belongs to no one. She isn’t a property to be tossed around. My jaw clenches. Getting a lot calmer, Roman sighs.

“I need this issue with the merger resolved. Find that shareholder and make him agree to it. I don’t care how you do it.”

David shifts his weight from foot to foot. “Rain has been in charge of the merger. I think he should be given this responsibility."

I’m not surprised by his words. David has always been lazy, but my father has never had a problem with it.

“Anyone who resolves this will assume the position of the executive vice chairman of the group.”

David’s eyes widen. “That position is supposed to be mine, father," he blurts, shocked to his bones.

Roman leans back. “I will give it to whomever I see fit. If you want it, work for it.”

I straighten, placing my hands behind me as my lips curve in a smirk. For the first time, Roman Manchester is playing fair. 

And David detests it. Because he has always been a beneficiary of privilege. Not hard work. 

Roman’s gaze settle on me. “This is your final chance to prove that you deserve the Manchester name. If you think I have been partial to you all these years, prove me wrong with this opportunity.”