Chapter 4: Broken Bloodline

Luca stormed into the Van Driscoll Global building like a damn hurricane.

His shoes hit the floor hard—thud, thud, thud—echoing through the sleek marble lobby. Heads turned. Workers froze. No one said a word.

They knew that look on his face.

Pure rage.

And with Luca… it was better to mind your business.

“Son of a bitch,” he muttered under his breath.

He didn’t stop. Didn’t slow. Just headed straight for the elevator.

The security guards glanced at each other—but didn’t move. They knew better.

Luca jabbed the elevator button like it owed him something. When the doors slid open, he stepped in and slammed the TOP FLOOR button.

“Fucking old man,” he growled. “Even dead, you’re still screwing with my life.”

He leaned back against the elevator wall, jaw tight, chest rising fast.

What kind of father leaves a will like that?

Work with your brothers or lose everything?

Bullshit.

He stared at the numbers lighting up on the elevator screen.

4th floor. 5th. 6th…

Each one felt like a countdown to disaster.

“That selfish bastard,” he hissed. “You couldn’t just die in peace, huh?”

He ran a hand through his hair, pacing the small space.

“I swear to God… one year? With those two?”

He let out a bitter laugh.

“This is hell.”

Ding.

The elevator doors slid open. Luca didn’t hesitate.

He walked straight down the hall and shoved open Leo’s office door without knocking.

It slammed against the wall with a loud crack.

Leo, mid-sentence, was speaking to Mr. Edwards and a junior attorney.

“I still can't believe the old man did this to me. He knew how much I loved this company. The rest don't even care about it the way I do—”

His words trailed off.

Everyone turned.

“Ugh… this place smells like bullshit and ghosts,” someone muttered from the doorway. “Exactly like the old man.”

Luca walked in, chewing his gum like it had wronged him. His jaw worked hard. His glare swept the room like a storm.

“God, I hate this place,” he grumbled, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Mr. Edwards adjusted his glasses. “You’re here quite early.”

Luca’s face twisted with annoyance. “What other options do I have?” he said flatly, dropping into the nearest chair like it owed him rent.

Legs apart. Arms stretched lazily over the armrests.

“I can’t believe that old bastard is still winning,” he scoffed. “Even from the grave. Like this was some kind of sick joke.”

Mr. Edwards opened his mouth, maybe to suggest some professionalism—

But Luca was faster.

“Don’t start with the legal moral high-ground talk, old man,” he snapped. “If he wanted respect, he should’ve died with some.”

Leo stood slowly. His expression was all sharp edges.

“If you hate being here so damn much,” he said tightly, “why the hell did you show up at all?”

Luca rolled his eyes. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because Daddy Dearest said if I don’t, I lose the only thing keeping my bank account alive?”

Leo’s jaw flexed. His voice dropped low and furious.

“You don’t deserve a single share of this company.”

Luca just blinked. “Aww.”

“You never gave a damn about it,” Leo growled. “You never lifted a finger. While you were out partying with strippers, I was building something that mattered.”

Luca let out a dry laugh. “And yet… here we are. Equal shares. Isn’t life fun?”

“Enough!” Mr. Edwards cut in, raising his voice for the first time.

Silence fell.

Mr. Edwards exhaled, pushing his glasses up again.

“Gentlemen, please. This isn’t helping.”

Leo turned away, fists clenched, breathing hard.

“I can’t believe I’m forced to share oxygen with this joke.”

“I’d be offended if I gave a damn,” Luca said coolly, leaning further into the chair.

Mr. Edwards tried to steer them back. “We were just discussing the paperwork. Jace reached out. Said he would be signing.”

That made both brothers pause.

Luca stopped chewing.

“Ghost brother? That’s weird,” he muttered. “Didn’t think the Ice Prince would care enough to join the family mess.”

Even Leo blinked. “He actually agreed?”

Mr. Edwards gave a small nod. “I was surprised too. I didn’t think he would… but he said he’ll sign. He should be on his way. I’ll try calling him now.”

He pulled out his phone and dialed. Waited. Then frowned.

No answer.

He tried again. Still nothing.

Luca raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

“Let me guess…” he said, dragging out the words. “The bastard’s not answering.”

“Luca, please,” Mr. Edwards muttered.

Luca sat up, sarcasm dropping into irritation.

“What? He wants to do the same disappearing act he pulled at the will reading? Does that bastard even know I work with time?"

“Manners,” Leo snapped.

Luca shot him a look. "Save it for the boardroom."

Then the door clicked.

All eyes snapped toward the entrance.

The door swung open.

And someone stepped inside.