Chapter 5: The Legal Game

Natalie barged into Darren’s office like she owned the entire building. The secretary’s voice tried to follow, weak and strained from the door way.

“Mr. Darren is in a meeting..Miss, you can’t just—”

But it was already too late. The door was open and Natalie was inside.

Darren sat behind his desk, sleeves rolled to his elbows, flipping through a thick stack of documents while two suited men sat opposite. He didn’t look up immediately. Just a passing glance. Then he caught a flash of something blue, her dress.

It clung to her like it had been sewn onto her skin. That silk blue shimmer, bold and suggestive. Seduction, screaming silently in the middle of a weekday.

He raised his head slowly, eyes locked on the fabric for a second too long. Then he waved a hand.

“Gentlemen, give me a moment.”

The two men stood and exited quickly. Natalie’s heels clicked across the marble floor, every step deliberate.

“You didn’t answer my texts,” she said, her voice layered in sweetness but her tone thin like ice. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

Darren didn’t answer right away. His attention remained on the documents. He picked up his pen.

“I’ve been busy,” he muttered.

“I miss when you weren’t,” she said, stepping closer to the desk. “I miss you, Darren.”

Still no response.

She moved around, behind him. Her fingers brushed against the collar of his shirt. “Tell me you didn’t forget us.”

He froze for a heartbeat.

“I didn’t,” he said, almost too quiet.

“But you’re trying to,” she whispered behind him.

The air shifted. A silence wrapped around them, heavy and expectant.

She leaned in until her lips nearly grazed his. Her perfume was all over him now. Sweet, heady, familiar.

And just before their lips could meet, Darren turned his head.

Natalie stopped. Her eyes flared with heat and confusion.

“What the hell was that?” she snapped, stepping back. “You’ve been ghosting me for days. Now I find out there’s another woman? What’s her name? Claire?”

He stood, adjusting his shirt like her presence had unsettled more than just his buttons.

“I don’t need this right now, Natalie,” he said. “I don’t have time for scenes.”

She searched his face, desperate for softness, for anything but his expression was hard. Distant.

“All I asked for was a sign that I still mattered to you,” she said, her voice trembling.

“For goodness’ sake, Natalie. This is my workplace,” he flared. “At least have the decency not to barge in here like this. If you can't understand any of this..” he sighed “that's the door.”

Natalie lingered for a second more, then turned sharply toward the door. Her final words hung in the air like a curse.

“You’ll regret this.”

Then she was gone.

He sighed and moved back behind his desk, but there was no time to process. A sharp knock came at the door. His secretary poked her head in, voice brisk.

“Sir, Celine Hayes’ lawyer is here. You asked for the meeting.”

His eyes flicked up. “Yes. Send her in.”

The moment the door opened, Darren felt like the air in the room turned thick. Claire walked in, calm, composed, wearing a tailored blazer and black trousers. But the sight of her hit him like a punch to the chest.

It was her.

The same Claire he'd kissed just days ago. The one who had been tangled in his sheets, eyes half-lidded and whispers soft against his skin.

“Mr Aller,” she said, as if nothing had happened between them.

“You’re... Celine’s lawyer?” he asked, stunned.

Claire’s voice was steady. “I’ve handled her estate since before her passing.”

Darren leaned forward. “You didn’t think to tell me?”

“You didn’t ask,” she replied. “I’m here in a professional capacity, Darren. That’s all that matters now.”

He struggled to hide the discomfort that crawled beneath his skin.

“Let’s get to it, then,” he said.

Claire took the seat across from him. Her eyes never left his.

“You reached out regarding Celine’s estate,” she said.

Darren nodded. “It’s been over a year. Her assets remain unclaimed. Especially her company shares. She didn’t leave a will or so I thought. I was expecting some sort of communication, considering we were engaged. But your office has been silent.”

Claire’s gaze remained unreadable. Then she said, “You’re right. She didn’t leave a traditional will. But Celine wasn’t careless. She had a Nexus Scheme in place.”

He frowned. “What’s that?”

“A legally binding succession protocol. Digitally recorded and verified through a private trust. It activates upon death or disappearance.”

Darren’s heart began to pound.

“And the successor?” he asked. “Who did she leave it to?”

Claire hesitated. “That information is sealed. But I can tell you this. It wasn’t you.”

The words hit like a slap.

Darren leaned back. “She told me. After the wedding, we’d co-own some of her assets. She planned to transfer part of her shares.”

Claire didn’t blink. “After the wedding, yes. But the wedding never happened. The Nexus doesn’t recognize future promises.”

“So I have no legal claim?” he said, his jaw tightening.

“You were not named in the succession. Unless the designated heir declines or the Nexus is invalidated, your standing is... unofficial.”

He stood, pushing his chair back slightly.

“Has this person even come forward?”

“We’ve been trying to reach them for months,” Claire admitted. “Every contact provided led nowhere. No response. No appearance.”

Darren narrowed his eyes. “So what happens if this ghost heir never shows?”

Claire’s voice was calm. “If they remain unreachable within the specified period, the scheme collapses. Then, Celine’s estate goes into probate. At that point, other interested parties may come forward. Including you.”

His brows furrowed. “How long until that happens?”

Claire looked him square in the eye.

“One week. Then the Nexus becomes void.”

Darren leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the wood. “So if this person doesn't step in before then...”

“You may get your wish,” Claire finished for him.