Chapter 4

Silas’s POV

I angrily ran my hands through my hair as I paced the boardroom, trying to rein in my anger. The board members watched me with calculative eyes, trying to see if I would lose my temper, just like the rumors said.

"You have just two days, Silas," Mr. Henderson said from across the table. “The rumors are getting stronger by the day and we are running out of time.”

“I still can't believe you’re going to choose a flimsy rumor over me,” I snapped, my fury increasing.

“It isn’t just a rumor, there are claims to back it up and you know it,” Mr. Willow inputted.

Fucking claims. I didn’t believe they would all turn their backs on me when I needed them the most over some stupid rumors I knew were being circulated by my stepmother and brother. At this point, they were putting in their very all to see me fall.

A few months ago, I broke up with my girlfriend because I caught her in bed with the guy she claimed to be just friends with. I was shattered because I already had an engagement party planned out. Though I was angry and hurt, I simply walked away. Surprisingly, she went missing after a couple of days and her body was found in a swamp. She was killed by some bullets to her heart and the case was still being handled.

But for some reason, rumors started circulating that I killed her because she told me she was no longer interested. They tagged me as hot-tempered and unstable and now, I was on the verge of losing my heirloom because I couldn’t prove my innocence. I knew this was happening because my father was late and my stepmother, Genie, and stepbrother, Denis, didn't want me to take my rightful place so they began spreading rumors. Now, I have been asked to get a wife to show I can humanize and rule the company, if not, I would lose everything.

“We wish we could help but our hands are tied. It’s everywhere.” Mr. Henderson, my most trusted board member who has turned against me, spoke up.

"What is everywhere?” I snapped, my cold gaze moving to him. "You mean the lies my stepmother has been feeding the press? The rumors that I am some kind of ticking time bomb?"

"Whether they are lies or not, the public perception is damaging," Denis interjected from the end of the table as he smirked right in my very face, enjoying the show. "A wife suggests a man who can be tamed, Silas. Someone who has something to lose. But right now, you just look like a man who can snap at the slightest provocation."

“Shut the fuck up!” I yelled, pointing a finger at him. Some of the board members flinched but I didn’t care. “Just pray I don’t set my hands on you.”

“Oh, just like you did to your ex-girlfriend?” He taunted as I balled my fists.

"You have forty-eight hours," Henderson added, though he wouldn't meet my eyes. "Or we move to appoint Denis as the interim head of Vane Holdings."

I didn’t respond. Boiling, I took long strides out of the room before I would smash someone’s head against a wall. My father had built this empire, and I had expanded it into a global titan, yet I was being held hostage by those that hadn’t labored for it in the slightest. I needed to clear my head before I broke something, or someone.

I walked past my driver and took the keys to the Rolls Royce before going to a secluded bar that was away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi. As I drank, I slowly thought of my next move. I had no girlfriend and from the rumors everyone believed, no one was willing to marry an alleged murderer.

After calming down a bit, I chose to drive round the city to cool off until a sight caught my attention. Two men loomed over a woman on the gravel in front of a local bar. As I drove closer, the hair caught my attention. It was the same shade of copper hair I had stared at during some business parties.

I pulled to a stop in front of them and when the men hesitated, I shifted into gear and roared my car loudly. This seemed to do the trick as they scampered away into the night.

As my eyes settled on the woman, a weird feeling settled in my chest. I knew her. Elara Vance, the owner of Vance Intl. I remembered her beautiful face, doll eyes, and charming figure that I always eyed from a distance because her boyfriend, who looked jobless, was always perched by her side.

But how was she in a place like this?

I stepped out of the car, expecting her to lay flat and sing my praises for saving her, but the next minute, her eyes filled with fury as she snapped at me.

“Why the fuck would you do that!”

I froze.

I didn’t particularly save her for her praises, but I still expected some sort of appreciation. Those men would have hurt her real bad without hesitation.

"You were being harassed," I said as I walked towards her, cautious of my steps. "I saved your life," I finished. A frown appeared on my face at her arrogance. I barely gave anyone attention and I just saved her but she was acting up?

"I didn't ask you to!" she shrieked, stumbling to her feet. She swayed but didn’t fall. My gaze settled on her face that was both flushed and swollen from crying for long. "Who gave you the right? I wanted it to end! I wanted them to finish it!"

She staggered towards me and swung her fist at me but I caught her fist effortlessly. Seeing her up close with so many emotions flowing through her, my anger subsided and I found myself consoling her.

“Elara Vance, what happened to you?”