Chapter 5: The Handover 

Two days before the meeting, I called Lucien Thorne, Cassian's biggest rival.

His assistant put me through immediately, my father had arranged the introduction weeks ago, and Lucien had been waiting for my call.

"Seraphina Vale." His voice was smooth, amused. "I was wondering when you'd reach out."

"You knew I would?"

"I know everything that happens in this city. Including the fact that Cassian Rourke's wife disappeared and his company is about to lose the Aurelian Project." He paused. "I also know you're not just his ex-wife. You're Alaric Vale's daughter."

I froze. "How did you…"

"I have my sources. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." There was a smile in his voice. "What can I do for you?"

I took a breath. "I want to give you the Aurelian Project."

Silence. Then, "I'm listening."

"You're Cassian's biggest rival. You have the resources and the vision to make this project succeed. Cassian doesn't. He's desperate, sloppy, and his proposal is full of loopholes that would leave Valecrest Holdings exposed."

"And what do you want in return?"

"Nothing." I paused. "Except for you to be there when I hand it over. I want to see his face when he realizes he's lost everything."

Lucien laughed, "I knew I liked you. I heard you were just a chubby girl who couldn't keep a man." His voice hardened. "I'm glad I didn't believe any of it."

I smiled. "See you Monday, Lucien."

Monday morning arrived faster than I expected. I stood in my office, adjusting my blazer. I looked like everything Cassian had never seen in me.

My phone buzzed. A text from Lucien: "On my way. Ready to watch him crumble."

I smiled and typed back, "I've been ready for weeks."

My assistant knocked on the door. "Ms. Vale, the Aurelian Project team is here for the final approval meeting."

"Send them in."

The doors opened. Cassian strode in with his team. He was smiling, confident, ready to collect his prize.

He stopped dead when he saw me. "What the hell are you doing here?"

I leaned back in my chair and smiled. "I'm the one approving your project. Or not."

Declan and Marcus exchanged confused glances. Cassian's face went through shock, then anger, then cold calculation.

"This is some kind of joke," he said. "Where's the real decision-maker?"

"I'm the real decision-maker." I gestured to the chairs. "Please. Sit."

He didn't sit. "Seraphina, I don't know what game you're playing…"

"No game." I cut him off. "This is business, Cassian. You know how that works, don't you?"

His jaw tightened. "You think you can sabotage this project out of petty revenge? I've worked too hard for this."

"So have I." I pulled up the project files on the screen. "Let's review your proposal, shall we?"

I started listing his flaws.

"You're making this up," Declan interrupted. "You're just a bitter ex-wife…"

"I'm thorough," I said calmly. "And I've documented everything." I clicked to another slide. "This clause here… the one that allows Rourke International to bypass the independent audit. It's a trap designed to force Valecrest to accept whatever you decide to do."

"That's standard corporate language," Cassian snapped.

"It's fraudulent." I smiled. "I've already flagged it for our legal team."

"You can't do this," Marcus said. "This project is worth billions…"

"I can." I smiled. "And I am."

Cassian stared at me. "You're making a mistake. You'll regret this."

"I don't think so." I clicked to the final slide. "Because I've already found a better partner."

The doors opened. Lucien Thorne walked in. He was tall, dark-haired, devastatingly handsome.

"Lucien." Cassian's voice was ice. "What are you doing here?"

"Same thing you are, Cassian." Lucien took a seat. "I'm here to claim the Aurelian Project."

"That's not possible. I have the exclusive…"

"The exclusivity clause expired last week." Lucien smiled. "Didn't you read the fine print?"

Cassian turned to me, his face pale. "You planned this."

"I planned to do what was best for Valecrest Holdings." I stood. "Your proposal is a house of cards. Lucien's is comprehensive, financially sound, and more likely to succeed."

"This is insane!" Declan was on his feet. "You're not even authorized…"

"I'm fully authorized." I pulled out my appointment letter. "I've been given full authority to approve or reject any project partnerships."

Cassian snatched the document. His eyes scanned it rapidly. His face went pale.

"This can't be right," he muttered. "This is…"

"Read it carefully," I said. "You'll see my name. Seraphina Vale. Appointed by the board to oversee the Aurelian Project's final approval."

"But you're not…" He stopped. His eyes widened. "Vale. Seraphina Vale."

I smiled. "It's my father's name. Alaric Vale. Chairman of Valecrest Holdings."

The room exploded.

Cassian's lawyers started shouting. Marcus and Declan were screaming accusations. Lucien sat back, watching the chaos with amusement.

But I only had eyes for Cassian. I watched the realization dawn on his face. 

"You," he whispered. "You're…"

"Alaric Vale's only daughter. The future CEO of Valecrest Holdings."

He stared at me. His mouth opened, but no sound came out.

"I hid who I was," I continued, "because I wanted someone to love me for me. Not for my money. Instead, I got you. A man who saw me as a joke and married me for a bet."

"Seraphina…"

"Don't." I held up my hand. "Don't you dare say my name like you have any right to it."

I turned to the table. "Valecrest Holdings will be awarding the Aurelian Project to Thorne Meridian Group. Effective immediately."

Cassian exploded. "You can't do this! This is sabotage! I'll sue you! I'll destroy you!"

"You'll do nothing." My voice was ice. "Because if you try, I'll release all the evidence I've collected."

I pulled out a thick folder and tossed it onto the table. "Every email, receipt and recorded conversation."

Cassian stared at the folder like it was a snake.

"Now get out," I said. "Take your team and get out of my building."

He didn't move. He stood there, frozen, his face a mask of shock and fury. "Get out," I repeated. "Or I'll have security escort you out."

"This isn't over," Cassian said. "You think you've won? I'll make sure you lose everything."

"You already tried that." I smiled. "It didn't work."

He spun around and stormed toward the door.

But I wasn't done. "Oh, and Cassian?" I said, my voice carrying across the boardroom.

He stopped. He didn't turn around.

"You might want to check the fine print on your divorce papers. I had my lawyers add a little clause, since I helped you in solving most of your financial issues… I think I'll be taking more than half of your assets."

He spun around, face purple. "You can't do that. You're nobody."

I walked around the table, stopping inches from him. For the first time, I looked him in the eye without flinching.

"You're right. I'm nobody to you. But to Valecrest Holdings, I'm the future CEO. And to you, Cassian? I'm the woman who just handed your dream to your worst enemy."

His mouth opened, but no sound came out.

I smiled. "Goodbye, husband."

I turned to Lucien, who was watching with barely concealed admiration. "Now, shall we discuss our partnership?"

Behind me, Cassian's voice cracked, "Seraphina… wait…"

I didn't look back. I had just started… two can play this game.