1: Cracks in the Crown

Vorian’s POV

“Vorian, if you do not devour this roast, I am disowning you,” Mom utters, her voice piercing but soothing, gliding a plate of herb-crusted beef across the dining table. The chandelier shines off her gemstone necklace, making her look seem she is still commanding a gala, not our family dinner in my penthouse.

I lean back, smirking. “Disown me? You would be lost without my charm, Mom. Who would keep you on your toes?”

Dorian, slouched in his chair, tie half-off like he is allergic to effort, twirls his wine glass. “She would still have me. I am the son who keeps things lively.”

Lila giggles from her booster seat, pigtails bouncing. “Uncle Dorian’s always in trouble! Like when he danced on that car!”

Elena, next to Cassian, laughs softly, brushing Lila’s hair. “Sweetie, let us not give Uncle Dorian more bad ideas.”

Cassian, my older brother, cuts his steak, shaking his head. “You two need to quit it. This is dinner, not a circus.”

“Circus?” I say, raising an eyebrow. “Cass, you ditched Dad’s company for your art. You are the one running from the spotlight.”

“Art is better than your boardroom wars,” Cassian says, winking at Elena. She rolls her eyes but smiles, her hand resting on his.

“Uncle Vorian, you are so grumpy,” Lila says, waving her fork like a tiny queen. “You need a friend. Like Mommy and Daddy have each other.”

Her statement struck me like a blow, but I conceal it with a smile, messing her hair. “I have got Silas, kid. He is trouble enough.”

Silas Vaughn, my best friend and COO, lounges across from me, smirking over his whiskey.

“Trouble? I am the one keeping NexusVibe from crashing, Vorian. You would be buried in emails without me.”

“NexusVibe?” Dorian snorts, tossing a napkin at Silas. “It is Dad’s old empire, not your personal kingdom, Silas.”

“Boys,” Mom rebukes, her voice sharp like a blade, although her eyes mellow when they settle on me. “Vorian, I am serious. You are working too hard. When did you last have fun? Not deals, real fun.”

I shrug, poking at my food. “Fun is for people with time, Mom. I have got a company to run. Dad’s legacy does not protect itself.”

“You sound like him,” Elena says quietly, her gaze steady. “He lived for NexusVibe too. Do not let it swallow you, Vorian.”

I look away, her words stinging. Cassian and Elena have their perfect life; Lila, love, the whole package. That is not my world. I inherited Dad’s company, not his dreams.

“Talking of work,” Silas speaks, resting back with a mischievous smile, “your new secretary begins tomorrow. Zephyr Cole. Guy’s got brains and guts; might even rattle you.”

I pause, fork halfway to my mouth. “New secretary? You hired someone without my say?”

Silas laughs. “You were too busy playing king. Trust me, this guy’s different. Got a spark you will not see coming.”

“Spark?” Dorian says, grinning like he is plotting chaos. “What, you picking Vorian’s new sidekick now?”

“Shut it, Dorian,” I say, sharper than I mean. A new guy in my office? I do not need that, not with the biggest AI deal of my career on the line.

“Language, Vorian,” Mom says, frowning. “Lila’s here.”

“Sorry,” I say, glancing at Lila, who’s scribbling on her napkin. “But Dorian’s gotta stop stirring trouble.”

“Me? Trouble?” Dorian says, faking innocence. “I am your favorite son, Mom. Tell Vorian to lighten up.”

“Favorite?” Mom says, raising an eyebrow. “Keep dreaming, Dorian. You are both my headaches.”

We all laugh, even Mom, though she hides it behind her wine glass. Elena stands, picking up Lila’s plate. “Come on, sweetheart, let us get dessert. Vorian, cake?”

“Nah, I am good,” I say, waving her off. “Gotta hit the office later. Contracts do not wait.”

“Always working,” Mom sighs, her voice heavy. “You are carrying too much, Vorian. You need someone to share the load.”

I clench my jaw, her words cutting deeper than I want to admit. NexusVibe’s mine; Dad’s shadow, my burden. I do not need anyone else.

“Speaking of loads,” Silas says, his tone light but eyes sharp, “Nathaniel Holt’s sniffing around our AI deal. That guy’s got it out for you, Vorian.”

“Nathaniel Holt?” Cassian says, frowning. “The rival CEO? What is his game?”

“Thinks he can outsmart me,” I say, my voice ice. “He is in for a rude awakening.”

“Be careful,” Elena says, returning with Lila, who has got chocolate frosting on her cheek. “Guys like that play dirty.”

“I play dirtier,” I say, smirking, but their eyes; Mom’s worry, Cassian’s concern, Silas’s loyalty, make me feel exposed.

Lila tugs my sleeve, holding up her napkin drawing; a stick figure of me with a crown. “You are the boss, Uncle Vorian! Like a superhero!”

I laugh, but it’s tight. “Superhero, huh? More like a guy drowning in meetings.”

“Meetings and enemies,” Silas says, his grin fading. “Watch your back, man.”

The table goes quiet, the air heavy. Mom is staring at me like she is trying to crack me open, Cassian and Elena swap a worried look, Dorian’s smirking like he’s got a secret, and Silas is watching me too close.

Then the doorbell rings, sharp and sudden. We all freeze.

“Who’s that?” Mom asks, her brow creasing. “It’s too late for guests.”

“I’ll check,” I say, standing, my gut twisting for no reason I can name.

“Probably just a delivery,” Cassian says, but his voice is tense.

I head to the door, their voices fading behind me. My hand hovers over the handle, a chill crawling up my neck. I swing it open, and a shadowed figure stands there, face hidden in the dark, holding an envelope with my name scrawled in red ink.

“Who the hell are you?” I demand, my heart pounding.

The figure shoves the envelope into my hand and vanishes into the night. I stare at the red ink, my pulse racing. Something’s wrong, dead wrong.