Chapter 145

Lucas POV

My father greeted me at the front door with a smile that seemed a bit too victorious.

There was something in his smile that made it seem as though he had anticipated my arrival. An air of self-satisfaction radiated off of him and it made my nerves itch with anger.

But I needed to be strong and focus on the reason why I was here. I didn't want to start any arguments with him. I needed to tell him what I'd decided to do.

"Well, well, well," he said with a hint of mockery in his tone. "If it isn't Lucas. My boy. To what do I owe this rare and unexpected pleasure? Have you finally managed to come to your senses and realize that the company business is where you truly belong?"

There was so much that I wanted to retort with, and it took everything in me to hold back.

I reminded myself that I needed to keep my emotions in check. I had to convince my father that I was really changing my mind about everything.

I nodded slightly. "Can I come in?"

My father stepped aside willingly, granting me access to the lavish mansion that I had once called home.

As I glanced around, I noticed how nothing had changed much. Everything was still in the same place. However, something felt different.

It felt as if there was really no life or warmth here.

"Let's discuss this in my office," my father said after shutting the door. He moved passed me and started to walk toward the grand staircase in the center of the room.

I ascended up the stairs, following behind him as he led us to his office. It was slightly awkward, being in this large space but having no one else be here with us.

I wondered where all of my father's staff had gone. Usually, he had guards, maids, or cooks on the property.

"Has everyone left for the day?" I asked my father, trying to ease some of the quietness.

"Everyone except for my security personnel," he answered, turning down the hallway at the top of the stairs. "They're downstairs in the cellar."

That explained the silence. My father had a soundproof room underneath the house in case of any emergencies or natural disasters. There was a separate room there where my father had all of his security equipment, including weapons and a massive safe.

The scent of his cigar smoke floated through the air, and it brought back a lot of flashbacks. All throughout my teen years, my father had been an avid cigar smoker.

The smell was engraved in my brain and it usually didn't hold a positive emotion to it.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding lingering as we finally entered his luxurious office space.

He gestured for me to sit in a leather chair across from his black desk. He took his place behind it in a chair that looked like it was awfully uncomfortable.

As I settled in my seat, I looked around the room, unsurprised to see that it too hadn't changed at all.

With a cynical smile, my father pulled out a box of rolled-up cigars. He carefully took one from the box and lit it, puffing on it with arrogance.

"Would you like one?" he asked, gesturing to the cigars with his own in hand.

I shook my head no.

He took another puff. "So, do you want to tell me why you're here after I've spent the past few weeks trying to contact you with no success?"

I chewed my bottom lip. I had been battling with my inner demons on the drive here, questioning whether or not my decision was the right one.

A voice in the back of my head whispered that it was a terrible idea. It was telling me to try to find another way to free Shana of her debt. If she was to find out that I'd gone through such drastic measures, she'd be furious.

But before I could stop myself, the words spilled out on their own accord.

"Dad," I began, struggling to maintain my composure and keep eye contact with him. "I know I've upset you recently. I've been giving it some thought, and I'm willing to agree to the marriage with Victoria."

My father almost choked on his cigar but played it off as a cough. He raised an eyebrow, the surprise in his eyes was as clear as day. "Really?"

"Yes," I said. "I've changed my mind about everything."

"What brought on this sudden change of heart?" he asked, puffing on his cigar. "You seemed so adamant about going against my word."

With what I had to say next, I knew I needed to tread carefully. I needed him to believe me, and what better way to do that than talk about his legacy?

"I've been thinking about the family, the company, and the legacy that you've created for me and future generations. I'm graduating soon and it's made me understand the importance of securing our ties with other influential families in the business."

My father let out a small chuckle, his cigar smoke swirling around his head perfectly. "While I enjoy the words coming out of your mouth, I know that's not all. What's the catch, Lucas? I'm not stupid, you know."

I swallowed hard. I should've known that he would see right through my lies.

"Are you doing all of this for some stupid wolfless girl?" When the words came out of his mouth, I couldn't help but flinch. He saw it too and let out another laugh. "You are, aren't you?"

I clenched my jaw, my patience had finally been tested.

Shana meant so much more to me than my father would ever be able to understand, but I couldn't reveal too much without exposing a bit of my heart.

Also, Shana wasn't wolfless anymore, but he didn't need to know that.

"Shana is not just some wolfless girl, Dad. She's... special," I said, figuring that was all that needed to be said on the matter.

My father still seemed skeptical of me as his piercing gaze studied me intently. "Special or not, you've managed to make me interested. So, what's the catch? What is it you want in return?"

How he knew there was a catch, I couldn't fathom.

“I know how much you care for that girl, even though I can’t understand why. Why should I trust that you won’t just go back on your word once her debt is paid?”

I took a deep breath, the weight of my decision hanging heavily on my shoulders.

"I'll agree to the engagement with Victoria," I started, "but only if you settle all of Shana's debts as part of our agreement."

My father's laughter filled the room, and he put out his cigar. The smoke flew up into the air around us, making it hazy.

"Lucas, you're a lot more humorous than I remember. But fine, I'll entertain this... proposition. I agree to your condition, but I have a requirement of my own."

My eyes locked onto his. "What is your proposition?"

"Before I pay off the wolfless girl's debts, the engagement ceremony must be held," he declared with a devious and maniacal glint in his eye. "Once the engagement ceremony is held, I'll fulfill my end of the bargain."

I nodded, trying to appear more confident than I actually was when I uttered, "I agree."

He held his hand out for me to shake and I stared at it, hesitating.

"Having second thoughts?" he asked, a hint of teasing in his voice.

"No." I reached my hand across the table and shook his hand. "It's a deal."