Chapter 5

~Natalie~

Luciens's words replayed in my head all night. I toiled on my bed all night– he gave me twelve hours to respond to his proposal.

Biting my lower lips hard as I sighed, baggy circles underneath my eyes. I had come to the hospital to stay with dad.

Tears clouded my eyes. “all you had to do was talk, Leon!” I muttered, as the tears poured out.

If only he had told me, I would have found a way to look for a solution. He shouldn't have tried to force Sebastian's son on me.

I never liked Richard – a proud drug addict who only squandered his dad's money like it was nothing.

My brother will be back from boarding school soon and I hope he hasn't heard anything about the news.

“What are you going to do, Natalie?” I asked myself, standing up from the chair. A frustrated sigh escaped my lips, the trust fund in my name must be something significant for my dad to keep it away from Lucien.

But now I am about to hand it over to him like a trophy on a platter.

I paced on the floor for hours. Every logical bone in my body screamed, ‘No’.

Emotionally, I was drained and bruised. But I was not broken– not yet.

And this deal he proposed was twisted and strange… a power play left in my deck.

I picked up my phone and dialed his number. He'd given me his card yesterday for communication purposes. After the second ring he picked up his call

“It's Natalie,” I said.

Lucien's voice came out smooth and confident like he knew I would call, “I'm listening.”

“I am ready. Let's do it,” I muttered trying to hide my unease.

“Fine, I will set a time for us to meet and complete the arrangement,” he responded, but I shook my head negatively.

“No, we'll do it tonight,” I said. There was no time to waste, the next board meeting is next tomorrow and there is no way I would be able to handle Sebastian's betrayal ass on my father's seat.

“Great! Will send the location right now,” he answered and cut the call.

I don't know if this was the right decision– all I am aware of is that this was the only decision I could make.

At midnight, Lucien had sent a car to pick me up from the hospital. Freya tried to stop me, stating I needed to think this through.

I never intended on telling her. But she is my father's assistant And the only person I could trust at this moment.

“I can't back down now, Freya. This is the only choice I have,” I uttered.

“You have another choice, collect a loan from the bank,” She shrieked, but I had already made up my mind.

I doubt Lucien would make the bank give me a loan… he doesn't play fair and he wouldn't start now.

The driver halted the car at the cathedral church. I pulled the door open and saw him standing some steps away from me.

Lucien was dressed in black, like sin and salvation wrapped in one.

No friends. No family. No dress.

Just a vow!

We walked side by side into the church and when it was time, I signed the registry with trembling fingers. My name is in ink gold.

Natalie Voss!

A name that meant power, Lucien kissed my cheeks lightly. It was ceremonial and cold.

“Congratulations Mrs. Voss, you just bought back your future,” he said smiling, but I ignored him.

“Don't forget to play your part,” I said coldly and left the church.

[Three days later… BOARD MEETING!]

It was the day for me to recover all that I had lost and I couldn't be more happier. Lucien's wedding ring flashed in my hands, he'd called it a family heirloom which I suppose was worth more than a fortune.

A cold triumphant smile appeared as I took my rightful seat in the boardroom. Sebastian sat at his usual seat, sipping coffee like nothing had changed, if only he knew what was coming from him.

“I hope you all had a restful night,” I began to speak, placing a stack of documents on the table. “As of yesterday, the debt is cleared. Mr. Lucien Voss is now a shareholder by marriage, fulfilling the clause required for executive control. As the rightful CEO, I will…” I trailed off when nobody seemed to be looking at me.

All eyes were on Sebastian, who stood up slowly sliding forward a red folder.

“I am afraid, there has been a development,” he paused and then smiled at me.

“We just received a legal confirmation. As of 7:30 this morning, full ownership of Sterling group has transferred.”

My heart stopped.

“What are you talking about?”

“She didn't read the clause?” Lucien's voice floated in like a poison As he stepped into the room.

“What clause?” I muttered, hands fidgeting.

“Too bad, dear daddy didn't tell you that he signed a silent agreement. Stating if you ever got married before paying the debt then the company would be transferred to the lender except of course you get married to Richard, Sebastian's son,” Lucien replied and it felt like the world just collided and I was thrown out of it with full force.

It took a minute for everything to sink inside of me. The lender was…

My eyes widened when I pointed at Licien, “you were the lender?” It was more of a sentence than a question.

Lucien smiled, that same stupid cold calculative one that one could mistaken for nice. “Your dad came to me when no one else would. He thought he could outsmart me with a clause that would never activate, but here you are,” he chuckled.

Tears welled up in my eyes, adrenaline kicked in my blood as I backed away from the table.

“You said you wanted the trust fund, not the company,” I fired at him, unable to control my emotions

“Oh, That wasn't a lie, it was the partial truth. The trust fund is still part of it, my love. I wanted control– control over everything your father owned and that included you,” he confessed and I staggered back.

“We worked it together, he gave me the board and I gave him the title “ Sebastian chimed in.

You lied to me,” I whispered. “Both of you.”

Lucien’s smile faded into something darker, “Natalie, you’re brilliant– but too emotional. Your father ruled with strategy. You rule with pride. That’s why you lost.”

I reached for the edge of the table as reality dawned on me. All I thought I did to save the company only worsened it.

Everything ended in nothing but my downfall.

My dad's greatest fear came to pass and it made sense when he said, I didn't have what it takes to run the company.

I failed my family!

I destroyed our legacy, that took my dad years to build. I wasn't an heir any longer.

I have lost everything even my name. Shaking my head, I ran out of the boardroom rushing towards the rooftop, to end everything.