Chapter 39 The Invitation
The ride to Caelum’s office was heavy with silence. Deborah sat beside Casper, watching the passing city lights flicker across his stoic face. He hadn’t said much since the café, only short, clipped answers whenever she tried to speak. The tension between them had settled like fog, thick and unspoken.
When they finally arrived at the Valmere Tower, Deborah noticed that the usual hum of activity seemed quieter, almost tense. The security at the entrance was doubled, and even the secretaries wore uneasy expressions. Something was off.
As they stepped into Caelum’s office, they were greeted by the sight of all her brothers already there. Caelum stood by the window, his hands behind his back, eyes cold and unreadable as he stared out at the skyline. Lysander sat at the conference table, one leg crossed over the other, his expression composed but serious. Knight was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze sharp. Casper walked near the bar cart, pouring himself a glass of whiskey, the sound of ice clinking breaking the tense silence.
Deborah exchanged a nervous glance with Casper before speaking. “What’s going on? Why do you all look like someone just declared war on us?”
Caelum turned slowly, his eyes landing on her, calm but heavy with concern. “You could say that,” he replied quietly.
Casper stepped forward. “Caelum, what happened?”
The eldest brother sighed, then walked toward the table, placing a folder down with deliberate weight. “Samuel was released from prison.”
The words hit the room like a blade slicing through glass.
Deborah’s stomach dropped. “What? That fast?” she whispered. “That’s impossible. He was sentenced—”
“He was,” Lysander interrupted, his tone bitter. “But he’s got connections. Deep ones. Political, international… the kind that money and influence can buy. Word is, someone pulled strings from Geneva to make it happen.”
Casper’s jaw tightened, fury flashing behind his eyes. “So he’s out. Just like that?”
“Yes,” Caelum said, his tone controlled, though his knuckles whitened against the edge of the table. “And before you ask... no, we can’t appeal it. The documentation was signed off cleanly. Everything looks legal on paper.”
Deborah’s hands trembled slightly, her heart pounding in her chest. Memories of the chaos, the deceit, and the pain flashed through her mind. “He shouldn’t be free,” she said, her voice trembling. “After everything he and Selene did—”
“I know,” Caelum said softly. “But there’s nothing we can do… not yet.”
Casler finally turned from the bar, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before taking a slow sip. “Let him walk free,” he said calmly, though his tone carried an edge. “As long as he stays away from our family, I couldn’t care less. If he dares step foot anywhere near Deborah or any of us, then…” His words trailed off, but the dark undertone was clear enough.
Knight smirked faintly, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “You make it sound like he’s smart enough to stay away.”
Deborah sat down slowly, still processing everything. The thought of Samuel being out, walking freely, unpunished.... made her stomach twist. “He won’t just disappear quietly,” she murmured. “Men like him never do.”
“You’re right,” Lucio replied, his expression grim. “That’s why we’ll be cautious. Every move, every meeting, every name that reaches our circle, we’ll double-check everything. Samuel’s not our only problem. There’s something else.”
Casper frowned. “What do you mean?”
Knight, who had been silent until now, reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a sleek black envelope. He tossed it lightly onto the table, and it slid across the polished surface toward Caelum.
“I received this,” he said, his tone low.
Caelum raised a brow and picked it up. “What is it?”
“An invitation,” Knight replied simply.
Lysander leaned forward slightly. “To what exactly?”
Knight’s eyes met his brother’s. “To an event hosted by one of our allied families. The Devereaux Group. They’re passing the leadership of their company to their heir. It’s a private ceremony, by invitation only. And guess who’s invited?”
“The Valmere family,” Deborah said quietly, piecing it together.
Knight nodded. “Exactly.”
Casper scoffed, downing the rest of his whiskey. “So it’s another elite gathering, another excuse for them to flaunt wealth and connections. Why do I feel like this isn’t just about celebration?”
Aston gave a faint smirk. “Because you’re right. It’s not just that. There’s more to it. The Devereaux heir isn’t just inheriting a company, they’re inheriting every alliance that comes with it. That means power, control, and influence. And we’re expected to be there to acknowledge it.”
Caelum exhaled slowly, setting the invitation on the table. “It’s not optional. If we refuse, it could damage our relationship with the Devereaux and several other allied groups tied to them.”
Casper ran a hand through his hair, clearly irritated. “So we show up, smile for the cameras, and pretend like nothing’s wrong, while Samuel Renard walks free somewhere out there?”
“Exactly,” Lysander said quietly. “That’s the world we live in.”
Deborah crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair. “Do we know who the new heir is?”
Knight’s gaze darkened slightly. “Not yet. The name wasn’t listed in the official invitation. It just said ‘the rightful heir of the Devereaux legacy.’ Which, honestly, makes it sound like they’re hiding something, or someone.”
The siblings exchanged uneasy looks.
Caelum finally spoke, his voice calm but resolute. “Then we go. All of us. We attend the ceremony, maintain our image, and observe. If this new heir has ties to Samuel or Selene, we’ll find out.”
Casler nodded in agreement, his tone flat but firm. “And if they do…” He set down his glass, eyes glinting coldly. “Then they’ll regret inviting the Valmere.”
A long silence followed, the weight of unspoken possibilities hanging between them. Deborah looked around at her brothers, all composed, powerful, but weary of the world they ruled.
And for the first time in a long while, she wondered if the invitation was just a coincidence, or the beginning of something far more dangerous.
"Get ready for the event... it is a masquerade party."