Chapter 39 Fires of the Heart
Valenticias POV~
I felt my heart beat increase rapidly as I faced the board, their gazes penetrating me, cold and hard. The leaked audio — my voice, contorted, admitting to having bribed them — had turned me into a fraud, and their resistance loomed large, my hands sweaty. I clutched the edge of the podium, trying to make my knees stop shaking. Larson, leaned forward, curling his thin excuse for lips.
“And now,” he drawled, “Miss Clawford, this audio is evidence of your deceit. Resign, or we vote you out.”
Whispers erupted in the room as some members nodded, there was a movement of restlessness. I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders, recalling Grandmother Rosanna’s voice, “Command the room, Valenticia. You’re Clawford’s blood.”
“Mr. Larson,” I said, my voice firm despite the nerves scrambling in my chest, “that audio is a lie. My two years of on-the-job training and leadership through three international expansions and an 18 percent revenue lift — show my value. Here’s the data.” I passed a tablet across the table, graphs lighting up. “My projects. Your allegations are not going to erase those facts.”
Ms. Harrow, a board member, softened, her glasses glinting. “Your numbers are very impressive, Valenticia. But,” Larson sneered, pounding a fist. “Numbers don’t erase lies! You bribed us—your voice proves it!” His words hurt, but I met his eyes, my fear transforming into determination. “You jump to conclusions, Larson. Scared of my strength?” A couple of members chuckled and his face turned red, his resolve wavering.
The committee then left the room, some of the members nodding in my direction, others whispering to other members . I trembled on my way out of the room, the weight of their disbelief was crushing. I called Elaine from the hallway in a calm tone. “Elaine, meet me in Café Vorne. We need to trace that audio.” She agreed, her composure matching mine.
In the busy café, Seryne’s chatter and espresso steam shrouded me. I sat with my fingers kneading the silver locket Stefan had given me. Elaine settled into the booth with her laptop open. “The audio’s from a Galden associated studio,” she said, her eyes keen. “We have their payments on file.” My pulse started racing —Galden, again. But before I could reply, Natasha walked up, with her gleaming smirk.
“Well, heiress,” she sneered, “the lie is unraveling. You’re going to lose Stefan, the board — everything.” Her voice was pure venom, yet I leaned in and my fear turned to courage. “Your plots, Natasha, are very crude. I located your sound to Galden’s studio.” I noticed her flinch and I pushed harder. “You’re a pawn, and Dmitri knows that.” Her smile wavered, and she glanced over to a corner where Dmitri sat, staring at me with tortured eyes. He shrugged, and turned aside, when our gaze met. Natasha's face flamed, and she turned back to him, her humiliation evident.
I let out a small breath, the experience leaving me feeling stripped. Elaine squeezed my arm. “You okay?” I nodded, but Natasha’s cruelty, Dmitri’s regret, and the betrayal of the board ran through my mind. We departed and as the café’s building gradually melted away, we arrived back at the estate. Elaine broke into the studio’s financials crouching in the study. A payment from Nexus Ventures—Gregor’s cover—popped up on the screen, connecting my cousin to the audio. My heartbeat accelerated, and some cloudy memory surfaced in my mind. A cold, and stern voice of my childhood, about something, linked to my jade pendant, vague but chilling. “Gregor,” I murmured. Elaine frowned. “He’s way down in this, Valenticia.”
Drained, I returned to my room, where my bed was my sanctuary. Stefan’s gala gift, was laid draped on the chair. Someone knocked and then pushed open the door. It was Stefan, his frame filling the open space, “Hey, heiress,” he said, walking in, and immediately his presence helped soothe my frayed nerves. I smiled, weak but real. “You can’t just sneak in like this.”
He laughed, plopping down next to me on the bed. “Figured you deserved a check-in after that boardroom mess. His voice was warm, but I detected reserve like he had something to hold back. “You were brave today. It’s all going to be okay, I promise.” His hand was over mine and the silver locket glinted, warmth spreading through my chest.
I looked into his eyes, wanting his strength. “Stefan, I’m scared,” I confessed, my voice low. “What if I lose Clawford?” He held my hand, his thumb making little circles. “You won’t. We’ll crush all of them together.” His conviction grounded me and I gained a newfound confidence. With a tentative touch, but an intent one, my fingers brushed against his jaw, skimming over the grain of his stubble. “Thank you for being with me,” I whispered, my heart pounding.
His eyes shadowed, and he swooped down, capturing my mouth with a scorching, claiming kiss. His mouth took mine, urgent, hands sliding down to my waist, his fingers digging into my silk nightdress. I pulled at his shirt, heat surging up my body, desire wrenching through me and my body begging for more. I moved closer, horny, wanting to escape into him, to bury the fear. My fingers trampled over his chest, tugging at buttons, but he grabbed my wrists, caressing them slowly back, his touch tender.
“Valenticia,” he whispered, his voice gruff, “not like this.” He backed off, his eyes soft, catching mine. “You’re everything, but we have time.” Desire swirled through me, hot and sweet with gratitude, and he raised my hand, kissing the back of my palm, his lips soft. The gesture soothed me.