Chapter 83

Lionel’s POV

I followed my idea.

Nan’s arguments against humiliating Joseph did have merit. But I knew Joseph better. This was the best way to cull him.

Inviting Joseph to a meeting was easy enough. Keeping it secret was more difficult. I knew all too well Joseph had little…rats to alert him.

Inviting him under the guise of ‘brotherly’ reparations seemed the easier route. My big brother always complained that I did not appreciate his ‘noble sacrifices.’ As though he did not spend every single day of my leadership undermining me.

The board members were more than on board with the meeting when I informed them that I found the leak.

I doubt they would be feeling very charitable towards Joseph when his actions came to light.

How would Joseph be properly humbled without an audience, after all?

“What is this?” Joseph asks tightly as his eyes dart between me and the board members.

“Come in brother. Sit.” I add some of my alpha voice on the last word.

“I was feeling the burn from walking up all those flights of stairs.” He remarks cheerfully. “It’s good to get an afternoon work out when you can.”

‘Your little work out is because I banned you from the company elevators.’ I think with amusement. ‘If you were smart…that should have been your first sign things aren’t going to go the way you want.’

I do not enlighten him to this. He sits in the chair I have pointed to. “Now…you wanted to discuss something.”

“You claim your patent has been stolen.” I get straight to the heart of the matter. Not allowing him to chat up or charm any of my board members.

Joseph leans forward. His false cheer morphing into a mask of concern. “I’m glad you have heard about it.”

I eye him coolly. “It was difficult not to. Especially when you decided to bring the matter straight to my doorstep.”

Joseph rubs his neck sheepishly. “I had to move quickly. It was concerned that your…fondness for that woman might cloud your good judgement.”

“How thoughtful of you.” I reply tartly.

“I was doing what was best for the company.” Joseph defends. Casting a ‘winning’ smile over to the board members.

Their stern countenance does not shift. I watch as a calculating flash goes through his eyes. Too fast for anyone who does not personally know my brother.

But I’ve always known.

Joseph has never been stupid. He couldn’t be when he was raised at the knee of our mother. She never would have favored an idiot.

Joseph has always hidden his intellect and ruthless nature behind a mask. Joseph cultivated his to one of cheer and that of a careless rich boy. Many had underestimated my brother.

Saw him as the fool who inherited his position. But I knew that Joseph had worked hard and earned everything he had.

It is a true tragedy that his insecurities would be his downfall.

It would have been great to be close to my older brother. To be able to trust him not to stab me in the back as he congratulates me with a warm smile. If he had just left well enough alone…it would not have come to this.

But the love I have for my elder brother is not enough to stay my hand. I had not started this. But I would finish it.

Joseph’s voice jar me out of my musings. “You must see this too. It’s why you have gathered the board members.”

“Yes. This situation could drastically affect our production.” I say calmly.

“That mistress of yours has gone too far this time, Lionel.” Joseph adds.

I hmm noncommittedly. Allowing him to dig the grave further. And he does.

“Her stealing my patent could have ruined everything. It could have cost our company millions!” Joseph cries out dramatically.

“Your patent…” I say idly. “Why don’t you tell us about it? Personally, I’ve heard nothing of it until that news announcement.”

One of my board members leans forward. “I too would like to hear about this. The board was not informed of this.”

“I planned on informing the board about it at a later date. My patent was still legally in the works at that time.” Joseph informs him.

It is his second mistake.

“If it was not ready, then why did you make a press announcement? Our company’s reputation has been carefully built through communication and planning.” Another member speaks up.

“I was quite displeased to hear the announcement about a product this company intended on launching from a news outlet.” A board member across from Joseph growls.

A bead of sweat rolls down the side of Josephs neck that only I am positioned to notice. The trap is closing in. I have hardly had to lift a finger.

I stay quiet.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I understand your concerns. But we certainly have a more pressing matter to focus on.”

“We would not be in this mess had you followed protocol.” Someone scoffed.

Joseph’s face hardens. “Watch your tone. I am Joseph Wolfsbane, not some commoner you can command.”

I smirk. Letting his mask slip is his next mistake. It’s a drop of blood in front of a room of predators.

One of the aging board members speak up. A relic from my father’s era of control. His cankerous demeaner usually serving as a good deterrent for most people against trying to pull a fast one.

One of the few reasons I saw no reason to replace him.

“Let’s end this farce. Young man, we know very well what mischief you’ve pulled. You foolish boy.”

Joseph bares his fangs. “You dare accuse me? I have done nothing wrong.”

I stand now. I leisurely make my way to my brother. He tenses up.

I stare at him silently. My gaze contemptuous. But keeping my body language calm.

Letting him see how little of a threat I regard him. My goal is accomplished when Joseph’s eyes flash. I do not return the show of strength.

I see the moment he registers that lack of reaction. The way it prickles his pride. I know it is the right decision when he can no longer hide his rage with how the veins at his temple pulse and bulge.

“You think you’re so clever.” I say softly. “Yet you couldn’t even come up with an original idea.”

“I have no idea what you’re going on about.” He responds hotly.

“You pride yourself on inheriting our mother’s intelligence. But at least our mother knew well enough that to involve Wolfsbane Industries in her ploy. You couldn’t even come up with your own idea for revenge.”

His scent heats with anger. Like a fire on too long. His little sparks do not frighten me.

I was always the more talented one with our powers over fire.

“Did you think I did not know about the little rats you have around?” I taunt.

His lips pinch together. His dark eyes like tar as he attempts to reign in his anger. To mitigate the damage.

But it’s too late.

“Lionel, I think you’ve misunderstood the situation. That woman has your head all twisted around.” Joseph tries.

I scoff. “Don’t start that. Nan has nothing to do with this.”

“Oh but she does.” Joseph says darkly. Unable to resist poking at me even when he is trapped.

The saying about corner animals being unpredictable is true enough. Weak prey has been known to become wild when faced with losing their life. But sometimes…that same prey is doomed no matter how hard they resist.

I am done with this game.

“Your little rat turned on you. It’s over. We have plenty of evidence of your bullshit.”

Joseph laughs. “So what? You’ll turn against your own family?”

“Actually, Alpha Lionel has turned over your punishment to us.” A board member calls out.

He glares over at them. “You have no right.”

“They do. I have handed over full rights to punish you.” I confirm.

Joseph stands up. Knowing how precarious his position is. He has won no friends with these people.

“But I am Co-CEO. I own at least half the shares in the company.” He snarls.

“Not anymore. You’ve been demoted.” I say coldly.

“And the Wolfsbane alpha owns those shares…” I reveal.

Joseph’s eyes dilate in horror. I smile back coldly. I walk closer to him.

“I warned you not to cross me.” I whisper to him.