Chapter 3- Born Ready
For a long moment, my grandfather just stared at me, his sharp, unblinking gaze drilling into mine. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face, but he quickly masked it. I clenched my fists, holding my breath. Had my words stunned him into silence? Or was he weighing the weight of my request, knowing exactly what it would cost?
Then, finally, he spoke. His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it.
“Are you aware of what you're asking me to do, Ariana?” His fingers tapped rhythmically against the mahogany desk, a habit of his when deep in thought. “I already have enough people breathing down my neck for appointing your mother as the next CEO. Do you know what they’ll say if I name you instead?”
His words weren’t a rejection, but they weren’t approval either. He was testing me.
I met his stare, unwavering. “Grandpa, we both know there are vultures circling, waiting for the perfect moment to sink their teeth into this company. We can’t give them that opportunity.” I leaned forward, my voice lowering, sharpening. “I know Uncle Garry wants this position badly. Desperately. But can you trust him? We both know the answer to that.”
A shadow passed over his face.
“So, tell me, Grandpa, will you do what people expect, or will you do what’s right?”
Silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken truths. I could see the turmoil in his eyes—the war between tradition and survival.
I knew exactly what I was asking of him. I was asking him to defy the very people who were already sharpening their knives, waiting to strike. But I didn’t care. I was ready for war.
Because if I didn’t step up, Uncle Garry or someone just like him would seize the position. And I knew exactly what would happen next.
They would come for my mother.
They would destroy her.
They would make sure she never posed a threat to them.
But me?
They wouldn't dare touch me.
They had already taken my father. They thought I was too young, too naive to put the pieces together. But I did.
He had died suddenly. No illness. No warning. Just gone. And the world moved on like he had never existed.
Everyone except me.
And my grandfather.
And my mother.
I saw it in her eyes every day—the unspoken grief, the lingering fear. She knew, just as I did, that his death wasn’t natural. It was convenient.
And I had no doubt that the killer was still close.
I clenched my fists beneath the table, forcing myself to breathe.
My father had been set to inherit the company before he died. My grandfather, drowning in grief, had thrown himself into work instead of retiring. And now, when he was finally ready to hand over the reins, they wanted to strip my mother of what was rightfully hers.
All because they didn't consider her family.
To them, she was just the wife.
But to my grandfather, she was his daughter.
He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. “I’ll think about this, Ariana. By the weekend, you’ll have my answer. You’ll know when I call for a board meeting.”
A victorious smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you for listening to me, Grandpa.”
I stood, walking around his desk. He remained seated, but his eyes followed me, filled with something close to pride. I leaned down, pressing a kiss to each of his cheeks before turning and heading toward the door.
Let them all be ready.
Because I was coming for them.
One. By. One.
I walked into my mother’s room, my chest tightening as I saw her asleep.
She looked fragile beneath the dim glow of the bedside lamp.
But I knew better.
She was strong. A survivor. But even the strongest needed protection.
I sank onto the bed beside her, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest. They had already taken my father. I wouldn't let them take her too.
I wasn’t in the country when my dad died. But now I was back.
And they would soon regret ever thinking I was weak.
I stood, pulling the covers up to her shoulders before stepping out of the room and quietly closing the door behind me.
“Agnes.”
My voice was sharp as I stepped into the hallway.
My mother’s maid, a middle-aged woman with a nervous disposition, came scurrying forward. “Yes, Miss Miller?”
I folded my arms, my gaze cold. “Why hasn’t my mother been taking her medication?”
Her eyes darted around, panic creeping into her features. “I—I was—”
I raised a hand, cutting her off. “Save the excuses.”
She swallowed hard.
“I do not tolerate incompetence.” My voice was like steel, each word deliberate. “If you can’t do your job, tell me now. I’ll find someone who can.”
Her face paled. “No, ma’am! I—I’ll make sure she takes them.”
I took a step closer, watching her shrink beneath my gaze.
“This is the last warning you’ll get,” I said, voice dangerously soft. “If the doctor so much as hints that my mother has missed a dose again, it will be the last day you work here. Understand?”
She nodded quickly, head bowed. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. Now get out of my sight.”
She practically stumbled over her feet in her hurry to leave.
I exhaled, rolling my shoulders.
There was no room for error.
Not when my mother’s life was at stake.
HARDIN'S POV
“So, let me get this straight,” Vera said, tapping her manicured nails against the table. “The old man offered you a job as his daughter’s assistant?”
I nodded, taking a slow sip of my coffee.
We were seated at a small café, our usual spot just a few blocks from the office. The scent of fresh pastries and espresso lingered in the air, but Vera's expression was anything but relaxed.
“Wow,” she said, shaking her head. “And you signed the new contract without questioning it?”
I bit into my burger, chewing thoughtfully before answering. “Yeah.”
She narrowed her eyes. “The contract that says you can’t quit no matter what?”
“Yep.”
She exhaled sharply, giving me an exasperated look. “And that didn’t set off any red flags for you?”
I smirked, stealing one of her fries. She swatted my hand away.
“Vera, relax. Mrs. Miller isn’t some fire-breathing dragon. She’s always been polite. Easygoing.” I shrugged. “I worked for her husband. If I could handle him, I can handle her.”
Vera didn't look convinced. “Something about this doesn’t sit right with me.”
I waved her off. “Come on, it’s a job. Not a death sentence.”
She huffed, crossing her arms. “You’d better hope so.”
I didn’t see any reason to worry. Mrs. Miller was about to be officially announced as the CEO on Monday, and from everything I knew, she was reasonable.
Everything would go smoothly.
At least, that was what I thought.
But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just signed up for something far more complicated than I realized.
And soon, I would find out exactly how right Vera was to be suspicious.