Chapter 116

CASSIAN'S POV

Something inside of me catches when I read Julian West's name on the most recent Verdant investor newsletter.

"He gave in?" I push the iPad across my desk and demand. The sharp headline, "Westbridge Capital Increases Stake in Verdant BioPharm," flickers across the screen. "How on earth did I overlook this?"

From the other side of the room, Bastian recoils. It was silent. private purchase via a fictitious corporation. just lately been linked to him.

My jaw is locked. My chair scrapes the slick floor as I rise. "How long did you wait to tell me this?"

Holding his ground, he responds swiftly, "I just confirmed it." But it's worse, Cassian. The proxy wasn't only purchasing stock. It has been engaged in merger negotiations.

My cheek muscle twitches. "With the board of Aurora?"

He gives a gloomy nod.

I walk at a brisk speed. Julian's grin from the last meeting—the way he treated her as if she were already his property. It was business, I told myself. Coincidence. Perhaps my judgment is being clouded by envy. However, no. He has been following her around. He positioned himself. Not just for her companionship.

For her.

"She is unaware," I murmur. "She is unaware that he is responsible."

"She believes biotechnology is the main factor."

"She does, of course." I smash my fist against the desk's edge. The crimson cloud in my mind is pierced by the sting. "Science doesn't interest Julian. He wants to be in charge.

Bastian pauses. "So, what should we do?"

I raise my head. I speak in a chilly tone. Uncompromising. "We cut off oxygen to all of his channels so he can reach her."

"As well, Aurora?" He queries. "Are you going to tell her?"

I look out the window. My reflection is clear in the glass, but the skyline is hazy in the twilight. unforgiving.

I whisper, "She won't listen to me." "Not just yet."

"But—"

Bastian, she still despises me. At this point, she will believe I'm playing games if I attempt to warn her.

The fact that he doesn't dispute tells it all.

I'm done relaxing, however. Does Julian believe he can sneak in through the shadows and steal what belongs to me?

He's going to realize how mistaken he is.

\---

AURORA'S POV

With my head thumping, I scroll through the investor paperwork a third time. I can't get the merger offer from "VantageGen Partners" off my chest.

The conditions are overly liberal. There are no demands or power changes—just a smooth integration that brings money to Verdant without removing anything. It's wonderful on paper.

Why, therefore, do I feel as if someone is watching me through the glass?

With a cup of tea, Lucian enters without knocking. "You're repeating that behavior."

"What is it?"

He places the mug next to my elbow. "The moment when you act as though nothing is wrong, but your eye twitches as if you were decoding Morse code."

I give a sigh. "This VantageGen deal is it. The smoothness bothers me.

"You have paranoia. That's excellent. indicates that you are learning.

I give him a raised eyebrow. "That isn't consoling."

Lucian gives a shrug. "Let me check them out one more. I'll have the layers removed by our legal staff.

"I've already done. There are five tiers. Everything seems to be in order. I stop. "Which exacerbates it."

He researches me. "You believe it to be Julian?"

My fingers on the keyboard get cold.

I kept his name to myself.

It didn't even occur to me out loud.

"What would you say?" I inquire thoughtfully.

With a shrug, Lucian reclines on my desk as if he controls it. "Because he inquired about your relationship with someone last week."

"What?"

"Then attempted to kidnap two of our chemists."

My back becomes tense. "What kept you from telling me?"

"I assumed that if he attempted anything genuine, you would cut him in two. You didn't need any more fire on your plate, in my opinion.

The issue is that he is not incorrect. I'm worn out. Leo, Cassian's custody dispute, the board's demands...

Julian's timing would be perfect.

Lucian leans closer. "I have faith in you, Aurora, to take care of yourself. However, keep in mind that he has no interest in your science.

I feel sick to my stomach.

"I'll take care of him," I whisper.

"I hope not alone."

Startled by the hint of protectiveness in his words, I glance up.

"Are you now attempting to outdo Cassian?" I attempt to deflect by teasing.

Though it doesn't reach his eyes, Lucian grins. "It's not Cassian who is subtly manipulating your shadow. Julian is.

\---

CASSIAN'S POV

I phone my cyber-forensics team around midnight. "I would like a record of all executive communications related to VantageGen during the previous three months." I want the burner numbers, the calls, and the emails. Look for those that have a connection to Julian West.

"Yes, sir."

I end the call and gaze at my desk's collection of pictures. Julian, getting out of a vehicle near Aurora's workplace. Julian and a verdant director, shaking hands. Julian, with investors who rejected my deal, at a private dinner.

This is no longer about strategy.

It's intimate.

I tighten my hold on the picture till the paper wrinkles.

He wants to encircle her whole universe. Slowly, until the noose is too tight for her to feel.

I take deep breaths.

Not when I'm watching.

Never again.

My phone is buzzing.

Hayes, Lucian.

I respond.

"Is there a reason why men have been observing her workplace?"

He speaks in a very harsh tone.

"She is not secure."

"That is not for you to decide."

I tightened my jaw. Hayes, Julian is within your walls. Examine VantageGen in more detail. He is responsible for it. She is about to fall into a trap.

Quiet.

"Prove it," then.

"I'll."

"Until then, too?"

I take another look at the file. "Avoid her around him. I won't destroy your business to get to her if you do that.

Lucian ends the call.

I am certain that he heard me.

\---

AURORA'S POV

Lucian exits the elevator just as the doors smoothly close.

Over his shoulder, he adds, "Back in five." "Avoid signing anything."

I recline against the wall after rolling my eyes.

I don't know something's wrong until the lights flicker, first once, then again.

The elevator comes to a standstill.

No movement.

No hum.

I hit the emergency button.

Nothing.

"Really?" I whisper.

I take my phone out.

No assistance.

Fantastic.

I pressed the intercom. It dies after crackling.

A thud.

I whirl toward the sound and leap.

Then—an another voice.

Low. Known.

"I believe I warned you not to do this deal alone."

My heart stops.

The emergency light turns on, illuminating the little room with a drab yellow hue.

Cassian Viero emerges from the elevator's corner shadow.

I blink once.

Twice.

"How on earth did you enter here?"

Calmly, he states, "I had to talk to you." "I also knew you wouldn't answer."

"So you got me stuck in an elevator?"

"You weren't trapped by me. Another person did.

My heart is pounding as I look at him.

The air is still.

Too still.

"What do you mean by another person?"

Cassian's dark eyes gaze up. "Aurora, you weren't the target."

The elevator shakes after that.

Hard.

Everything goes black.