Chapter 48 Chapter 48
Lucien's POV
I couldn't stop thinking about her.
The memory of her beneath me, breathless, defiant even while trembling, replayed in my head in flashes as I adjusted the cuff of my suit in the backseat of my car.
Cynthia.
Even her name feels like a blade on my old scars.
Five years of building an empire in silence, strong enough to crush anything that stood in my way and she walks back into my life like nothing burned and offered herself to me as bait.
After breaking me completely, she cannot expect me to have mercy on her.
Last night was just a glimpse of what I have in store for her in the future.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of my lips when the scene of breakfast replayed in my head.
She fed me chilli at breakfast.
Petty.
Childish.
But bold.
I leaned back against the leather seat and exhaled slowly.
I will make sure tonight she burns the same as my throat.
The car stopped outside the headquarters of my empire. The chauffeur opened the door for me, and I stepped out, adjusting my coat as I looked up at the tall building.
Today's meeting would secure the final deal of the Valmont Merger. Something I have been working on for the last three years. I had poured my blood, sweat, and every waking hour into this acquisition.
This wasn’t just another contract. This was the expansion into international corridors. It not only secures me profit but power as well, something in which I am more interested.
Failure was not an option.
I needed to focus.
Inside the boardroom, executives and investors were already seated. A few of them were connected through the conference line.
I had never felt nervous in my entire life but today my heart was beating just a little fast. I didn't want anything to go wrong.
“Good evening, Mr. Thorne,” Mr. Halberg greeted.
"Good evening, everyone" I greeted and took my seat.
Turning my head to my secretary, I ordered him, “Let’s proceed.”
The presentation began smoothly. My eyes stayed stuck on the screen as the slides changed one after the other. I myself have calculated and rechecked the slice thrice to be sure. Every number is engraved in my memory.
Slowly, I stood at the head of the table, grabbing the attention.
“Valmont’s shipping infrastructure combined with Thorne Holdings’ logistics network will increase corridor efficiency by thirty-eight percent within the first fiscal year,” I said, looking around at the people.
“So your compliance records for the previous acquisitions are fully audited?” Helberg asked.
“Of course,” I replied without hesitation. “Every asset absorbed under Thorne Holdings has passed regulatory inspection.”
I signaled to Daniel.
“Pull up the acquisition file.”
The screen flickered with what I asked.
But as the slides changed my eyebrows drew in confusion because instead of the finalized audit summary I approved a different document opened.
My jaw tightened as I glared at my secretary. He is messing up things.
I will kill him for sure!
“This isn’t the final compliance report,” I said through clenched teeth.
Daniel frowned and stuttered slightly “Sir, this is the file from the executive drive.”
I looked closely to find a line highlighted in red
'Pending Litigation Risk: Undisclosed Employee Compensation Claims'
My heart skipped a beat for a second.
It seems like the slide from the old draft. But I am sure I edited it myself after resolving the issue.
How the fuck ....
I swallowed down, unable to meet the gaze of the board members when they started mumbling to themselves.
“Mr. Thorne… were these claims settled?” one of them asked.
My jaw hardened. “There were no claims.”
The legal head quickly shuffled through his tablet. His face drained of color.
“Sir… this document shows digital acknowledgment from the previous board that compensation packages were disputed before liquidation.”
“That’s wrong,” I said coldly. “It was acquired under full shareholder consent.”
“Then why,” Halberg interrupted, “does this file show a conditional liquidation clause triggered by asset undervaluation?”
Silence spread in the room and I had nothing to say. My chest tightened and for a second I couldn't breathe.
I could see my years of hard work getting destroyed in seconds.
Just because of a stupid mistake.
“Mr. Thorne, Valmont cannot proceed with the merger while acquisition discrepancies exist. If these documents reach regulatory authorities, the deal would face investigation.” Helberg said in a firm voice.
Halberg exhaled audibly.
“Until this is clarified, we are suspending signing procedures.” another board member added.
They all agreed, closed their files, and left, avoiding meeting my gaze. Now I was left defeated in my own empire, a place where I had always seen victories.
I swept my arm across the table. The crystal water glasses shattered against the marble floor, files scattered and Daniel flinched so hard he nearly stumbled back. He knew exactly how badly he had messed up.
The silence in the boardroom was so deep that my own breathing could be heard.
“How did this happen?” I asked him sharply.
His voice trembled slightly.
His throat bobbed. “Sir… you took the drive home two days back.”
I stared at him without blinking. My eyes slightly narrowed as I realised that indeed I completed this project and took the drive with me before the final hearing of the court.
"You didn't want anyone to have access to it. For its safety, you took it with yourself"
My heart dropped in my stomach.
He wasn't wrong.
But what if someone messed up with it before I took it home because no one is allowed to enter my room?
My pulse began pounding in my temples.
Unless—
I grabbed the laptop and reopened the acquisition file to check the timestamp of last modification.
My eyes widened and my ears turned red.
It was 5:38 A.M.
Today.