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CHAPTER 13

Author: queensly aria
last update Last Updated: 2025-12-12 18:15:26

Maya

The call with Adrian lasted two hours.

We sat in my father's study, me at the desk with the proposal spread out, Adrian on video call from his office. He looked as intense on screen as he did in person. Sharp eyes. Focused energy.

"The timeline is aggressive," I said, reviewing the launch schedule. "Three months to launch the first joint venture."

"Market testing is for people who are unsure. Are you unsure?" His expression was challenging.

"I am cautious. There is a difference."

"Caution is just fear with better marketing." He leaned back. "Maya, the market moves fast. If we wait for perfect conditions, someone else launches first. I would rather be bold and wrong than cautious and irrelevant."

"Bold and wrong costs money."

"So does cautious and late." He smiled slightly. "This is why we need each other. You bring stability and reputation. I bring speed and innovation. Together we are balanced."

"Or we are a disaster waiting to happen."

"That too. But at least it will be an inte
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  • THE HEIR I USED TO BE   CHAPTER 24

    DavidI saw the lawsuit complaint by accident.Jennifer had forwarded it to me with a note: *FYI. Richard is suing Lawson. Thought you should know since Maya is named.*I read it three times. Each time getting angrier.Richard was twisting everything. Every legitimate correction Maya made. Every smart business decision. All reframed as hostile and aggressive. As abuse of power.It was character assassination disguised as a lawsuit.My phone was in my hand before I thought about it. I was dialing Maya's number before I remembered I had promised to leave her alone.I hung up before it connected.Dr. Chen's voice in my head. *The work is yours. The growth is private. Maya does not need your help.*But this was different. This was Richard using my company connections to destroy her reputation. This was partially my fault. I had hired Richard. I had worked with him for years. I knew he held grudges.I called Jennifer instead."I saw the complaint," I said. "This is garbage. Richard is lyin

  • THE HEIR I USED TO BE   CHAPTER 23

    MayaThe partnership launch was scheduled for three weeks from now.I sat in the Lawson Corporation conference room surrounded by marketing teams, product designers, and Adrian's top executives. The energy was electric. Nervous. Everyone understood this launch would define both companies for years to come.Adrian stood at the head of the table presenting our timeline. He was in full CEO mode. Sharp. Focused. Completely different from the man who kissed me three nights ago."We go public with the announcement next Monday," he said, clicking through slides. "Traditional press release. Followed by interviews with major business publications. Maya and I will handle those together.""Together?" Richard Moore's replacement, a woman named Linda Chen, raised an eyebrow. "Is that wise? Given the personal relationship rumors?"The room went quiet. Everyone looked at Adrian. Then at me. Waiting to see how we handled the question everyone was thinking."The personal relationship rumors are not r

  • THE HEIR I USED TO BE   CHAPTER 22

    DavidThe article came out Wednesday morning.David Chen Opens Up About Divorce, Personal Growth, and Letting GoI saw it on my phone while eating hotel breakfast. Read it three times. Tried to figure out if I had made a terrible mistake.The journalist had quoted me accurately. Every word about Maya deserving happiness. About regretting my failures. It was all there. Public. Permanent.My phone started ringing immediately.Jennifer first. "Have you seen the article?""I am reading it now.""The board is concerned. They think you are having a breakdown. Investors are asking questions." She paused. "David, you cannot keep making Maya part of your public narrative.""I did not mean to. The journalist asked. I answered honestly.""Honesty does not always serve business interests. Right now, Chen Industries needs stability, not your therapy sessions broadcast in business journals." Her voice softened. "You need to stop talking about Maya. To anyone. Ever."She was right. Every time I spo

  • THE HEIR I USED TO BE   CHAPTER 21

    MayaTuesday night arrived with the weight of inevitability.I changed outfits three times. Sophie sat on my bed offering commentary that ranged from helpful to deliberately unhelpful."The red dress says I am confident and sexy. The black dress says I am elegant and untouchable. The blue dress says I cannot make decisions." She handed me the red one. "Wear this. Adrian already knows you are smart. Show him you are also brave.""Brave is showing up when you are terrified." She stood, zipped up the dress. "You look gorgeous. He is going to forget his own name when he sees you."Adrian arrived at exactly seven. He stood at the door in a dark suit that probably cost more than most people's monthly salary. But it was his expression when he saw me that made my breath catch. Not surprise. Recognition. Like he was seeing exactly who he expected."You look stunning," he said simply."Thank you. You look very nice too."The restaurant was different this time. More intimate. A private room with

  • THE HEIR I USED TO BE   CHAPTER 20

    DavidThe photo of Maya and Adrian leaving dinner haunted me.I had saved it to my Reminders folder. Evidence of what moving on looked like. Proof that Maya was building a life without me. But I kept opening it. Staring at her smile. At his devotion. At everything I failed to be.Dr. Chen noticed during our Tuesday session."You are distracted today," she said. "What is on your mind?""Maya signed a partnership agreement with Adrian Frost yesterday. They are officially launching a joint venture. Business journals are calling it the merger of the decade.""And how does that make you feel?""Like I am watching someone else live the life I could have had if I had been better." I leaned back on the couch. "Adrian sees her value immediately. I took three years. He pursues her with intention. I made her chase crumbs.""You are comparing yourself to him.""Should I not? He is everything I was not. Everything I should have been.""David, comparing yourself to Adrian Frost is pointless. He is

  • THE HEIR I USED TO BE   CHAPTER 19

    MayaThe partnership agreement arrived on Monday morning.Adrian's lawyers had drafted everything. Joint venture structure. Profit sharing. Decision making authority. It was comprehensive. Professional. Exactly what I expected from someone like Adrian Frost.Except for one clause buried on page seventeen.*In the event that personal relationships between key stakeholders affect business judgment, either party may request mediation or temporary separation of duties to preserve professional integrity.*I read it three times. Called Adrian immediately."The relationship clause," I said when he answered. "Page seventeen.""Good morning to you too." I could hear the smile in his voice. "You found it.""Of course I found it. Why is it there?""Because I wanted to be honest about what we are doing. We are building a business partnership. We are also exploring something personal. If those two things conflict, we need a plan." He paused. "Is it a problem?""It is very direct.""I am a direct

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