Chapter 9
“I advise you to wake up, Alaric. You’re just a stray dog now-anyone can kick you when you’re down.”
With that, the assistant hung up.
Alaric bolted out of the building in a frenzy, rushing to the front of the office tower. His eyes immediately caught the sign-Vane Enterprises was no longer there. The emblem had been replaced with Rourke Corporation, its golden letters gleaming under the sun like a final mockery.
A familiar, mocking voice rang out behind him.
“Well, well, look who it is. Isn’t this the once high-and-mighty President Alaric? You look like a beaten mutt.”
Alaric turned around, his breath catching in his throat.
Cassian leaned lazily against a blood-red Ferrari, one arm draped possessively around Calla-no, not anymore.
“Calla?” Alaric stared in disbelief.
She smiled seductively and leaned into Cassian’s chest. “Don’t call me that. I’ve found my real family. I go by Callandra now.”
Alaric trembled from head to toe, rage surging. “How could you do this to me? Calla, I gave up everything for you-my company, my future. Even Seraphine left me. And you… you betray me too?”
Callandra sneered. “You still think you’re worth anything? The Vane family is dust. Why would I stay with someone who has nothing to offer?”
She laughed coldly, eyes glinting. “When I went abroad, your Vane family was collapsing. I begged Seraphine to help send me away. I didn’t expect your business to survive back then, but this time, you’re not so lucky.”
Alaric’s eyes turned red with fury. “So Seraphine didn’t force you to leave… You wanted to go?”
He lunged at her in a fit of rage, but Cassian stepped forward and kicked him hard in the chest. Alaric hit the ground with a sickening thud.
“You still think you can touch my woman?” Cassian sneered and stomped on Alaric’s hand, followed by a vicious kick to his face. Blood exploded from Alaric’s mouth. Two of his front teeth flew out and skidded across the pavement.
Cassian had waited years for this moment. After enduring humiliation and playing second to Alaric for so long, it was his turn.
“Still trying to act tough?” Cassian jeered. “Seraphine handed me your company for peanuts. Now I own everything you built. Your beloved adopted sister? She’s mine too.”
He leaned down and spat directly on Alaric’s bloodied head.
“I won’t let you get away with this,” Alaric growled, blood dripping from his lips as he glared
at them.
Callandra crouched gracefully before him, her eyes brimming with mockery.
“Alaric, you’re finished. A stray dog, broken and bleeding. What do you even have left to fight us with?”
Alaric didn’t answer. He couldn’t. Blood choked his throat as his body convulsed from the pain, but the hatred in his eyes never wavered.
Callandra gently tapped his cheek, like one might tease a pitiful animal. “Save your strength. Nobody cares about a loser’s threats.”
She stood up, took Cassian’s hand, and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Let’s go. We’ve got better things to do.”
Cassian smirked and grabbed her waist, giving it a playful squeeze.
“You little temptress. No wonder Alaric was so obsessed with you.”
