Chapter 4
Cassian Cole stood by the large windows of his penthouse office, the city sprawled out before him. The sky was painted in hues of gold and orange as the sun sank lower, but he hardly noticed. His mind was consumed with thoughts of the upcoming meeting with the Devereux family. After years of waiting, it was finally time to act — but this time, things were going to go differently.
Jaxon sat casually in the chair across from him, his feet propped up on the desk, sipping from a glass of whiskey. His face was a picture of ease, but he knew the gravity of what was about to unfold. Cassian had made it clear: this deal wasn't just about business; it was about making sure the Devereux family paid for their betrayal. And Cassian's plan to use Aria as leverage had a dark and undeniable weight to it.
"You sure about this?" Jaxon asked, setting his glass down. His voice was low, measured, but there was an edge of concern beneath his playful tone. "You're putting everything on the line for this. It's not just a business deal anymore."
Cassian's eyes were cold and unreadable, his posture rigid as he looked at the papers laid out on the desk before him. "This isn't just about business, Jaxon. This is personal. The Devereux family has spent years hiding behind their wealth, their lies. They owe me. And I'll make sure they pay."
He ran a hand through his dark hair, irritation flashing through his normally controlled demeanor. "I've waited long enough. This deal is going to go through, but the terms are changing. If they want it, they'll have to abide by my conditions."
Jaxon leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "And the terms? I know you've been holding out on me. What's the catch?"
Cassian's lips curled into a grim smile, but he didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked over to the window, his hands clasped behind his back. "I'll handle the deal tomorrow. You just need to make sure the documents are ready. I'm sending my lawyer in to finalize everything, but you know what it means."
Jaxon nodded, understanding perfectly. The deal itself wasn't just about money or power — it was a way for Cassian to claim what he'd always wanted. He couldn't help but admire Cassian's cold, calculated approach.
"Alright, man. I trust you," Jaxon said, a smirk playing on his lips. "Just don't forget to have fun with it. This is the Devereux family we're talking about."
⸻
Sunday Evening:
The day dragged on, and Cassian found himself lost in the quiet, focused intensity of the planning. Jaxon stayed with him, going over every detail, preparing for Monday's meeting with Devereux. It wasn't just a formality anymore. It was the beginning of something much bigger, something that would change the lives of everyone involved.
Meanwhile, across the city, Aria sat in her room, an unusual sense of peace washing over her. The sun had begun to set, and her best friend Madison was over, perched on the edge of her bed. The two had been chatting about everything and nothing.
The house was quiet, except for the soft chatter of her best friend Madison, who had arrived earlier that morning with a basket of cakes from a local bakery. Madison was the only person who truly understood the weight of Aria's world.
"I swear, these are the best cakes ever, Aria!" Madison exclaimed, setting the basket down on the table beside her. "You're missing out by not coming out more often. These are what freedom tastes like!"
Aria smiled faintly, sitting across from her on the couch, her legs tucked beneath her. "You always say that about everything, Madison."
Madison took a bite of the cake, her eyes lighting up. "Well, I'm right. You just need to get out of here more. Maybe… I don't know… go to a party or something?"
Aria tilted her head, her expression softening. "I don't need to go to a party to feel… free."
Madison raised an eyebrow. "You sure? Because you're living like a princess in a tower. And all that gold and luxury doesn't make up for what you're missing out on."
"I know," Aria said quietly, her gaze drifting toward the window. "But there's no escaping it. It's just… who I am now."
Madison didn't say anything for a moment. She could see the heaviness in Aria's eyes, the way the weight of her life seemed to settle deeper with each passing day. Aria was always so careful to hide it, always playing the part of the obedient daughter, but Madison knew better. She knew how much Aria longed for a life outside the gilded cage she had been placed in.
"You're not just some… doll they hide away," Madison finally said, breaking the silence. "You have dreams, too. Things you want to do. Things you deserve to do."
Aria chuckled, but it was a hollow sound. "Dreams are for people who can actually leave their rooms."
Madison's expression softened, and she moved closer, offering Aria a slice of cake. "Well, you may not be able to leave your room right now, but I'll always be here. You're not alone in this, you know."
Aria took the cake, biting into it slowly. It was delicious, just like everything Madison brought with her. But as she chewed, her mind wandered back to the night before, the masquerade ball, and the strange feeling she'd had when she'd caught a glimpse of a man. She hadn't known him, of course, but there was something about the way he had looked at her that made her feel as though she had been seen for the first time. It was unsettling, to say the least.
"What's on your mind?" Madison asked, her voice soft.
Aria blinked, bringing herself back to the present. "Nothing. Just thinking about the ball last night…"
Madison raised an eyebrow. "The ball? Are you sure you're just thinking about the ball? Because you keep zoning out like you're lost in your own thoughts."
"I'm fine," Aria said quickly, offering a small smile. "I just… I don't know. Sometimes I feel like I'm watching my own life from the outside. Like I'm not really living it."
Madison's eyes softened with understanding. She reached over and gave Aria's hand a gentle squeeze. "I get it. But you know I'm here for you, right? Always."
Aria nodded, though the words felt like they were lodged in her throat. She wanted to believe it, but deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change. Something big. Something she couldn't control.
As the day passed, the two of them spent time together, chatting about everything and nothing. Aria found herself distracted at times, her thoughts wandering back to the strange encounter at the ball. Madison's laughter was a comforting sound, but the quiet undercurrent of anxiety still hung in the air.
What was it about last night that made her feel so… exposed? So vulnerable?
She couldn't shake the thought of man she saw last night at the ball, even if she didn't know him. There had been something about the way he stood in the shadows, watching, observing. Something about the intensity in his eyes that made her feel like she was a puzzle he was trying to figure out.
And what did that mean?
As evening drew near, Aria and Madison sat in the lounge, sipping tea. The conversation drifted into lighter topics.
Cassian was already at his office in the penthouse by the time his lawyer arrived, a tall, well-dressed man named Richard.
"Everything's ready," Richard said, placing a thick stack of papers on the desk. "The final draft of the deal is set. We're just waiting for Devereux to sign off on it."
Cassian gave a nod, his eyes cold. "It's time to make him sign. And don't leave anything out — we need everything in writing. When he reads this, I want him to know the consequences of failure."
Richard raised an eyebrow but didn't question the unusual terms. He had worked with Cassian for years and knew that once he made up his mind, there was no changing it. "Understood. I'll make sure everything is in place."
As Richard left, Cassian picked up his phone, composing a quick email to Aria's father. The message was brief and to the point.
⸻
To: Mr. Devereux
Subject: Monday's Meeting — Final Agreement
Dear Mr. Devereux,
I look forward to seeing you at my office tomorrow at 10 a.m. for the final signing of our long-discussed deal. The documents are prepared, and I expect we can conclude everything smoothly.
Best regards,
Cassian Cole
⸻
Cassian hit send and leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his lips. Tomorrow would be the day. Devereux had no idea what was coming, but by the time the meeting ended, he would have no choice but to accept Cassian's terms.
At the Devereux Estate:
Mr. Devereux had just finished his breakfast when the email arrived, and after reading it, he frowned. The subject of the message was casual enough, but he knew the weight of what was at stake. The deal with Cassian Cole was something that had been looming over his family for years. The terms had always been elusive, shrouded in uncertainty, but now, it seemed the time had come to finalize it.
He had no choice but to go. His company was teetering on the edge, and this deal could either save them or ruin them. With a sigh he rested his head on the couch thinking about how the deal will go
""
Monday Morning
The Meeting:
When Mr. Devereux entered Cassian's office, the atmosphere was cold, clinical — everything about the room screamed power and control. Cassian stood up from his desk as Devereux approached, offering a firm handshake.
"Good morning, Mr. Devereux," Cassian said smoothly. "I trust you had no trouble finding the place."
Devereux nodded, but his mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with the documents that awaited him. Cassian gestured for him to sit, and the papers were laid out before him.
Mr. Devereux scanned the pages, his expression unreadable. He had always been a man who thrived on business deals, but these terms — these were unlike anything he had expected.
The last page was where everything changed. His eyes widened as he read the clause that Cassian had inserted, and his heart skipped a beat. The deal wasn't just about money or shares. No, this was personal. The Devereux family's darkest secret was now on the table.
"In exchange for the deal, you will release your hidden daughter to me for a short while until the deal is completed. If the deal is not finished within three months, your daughter will remain with me, and I will decide her fate."
Mr. Devereux's hand trembled slightly as he placed the papers down. He had no idea that his daughter — the one they had kept hidden for so long — was now part of the price he had to pay. Cassian was not only asking for business; he was asking for something far more valuable.
Cassian's eyes were cold, calculating, as he watched Mr. Devereux. "I trust everything is in order?" he asked, his voice smooth as silk.