Chapter 148

Seraphine's POV

Brielle pointed sharply at Octavius, her finger jabbing the air. "He got close to Seraphine, to the Whitaker family, just to investigate what really happened back then! Once he finds out what he wants to know, he'll go after Seraphine and my father!"

"You sign this partnership agreement and hand the company over to Seraphine, you'll end up with nothing. Octavius will definitely swallow the Whitaker Group whole!"

The shareholders' gazes swung toward Octavius, heavy with suspicion and fear.

They began to hesitate, suddenly afraid to sign the agreement.

I knew if I didn't say something now, it'd be too late.

I turned my head, mustering the courage to look at Octavius. "Octavius, did you get close to me just to investigate the Stewart family? Was it all just an act?"

The second the words came out, my heart started pounding hard. I let my eyes fall, unable to face his reaction.

I didn't know what he'd say. Maybe he'd take advantage of this chaos and just admit everything.

But the next second, a pair of dress shoes appeared in my line of sight.

Octavius.

He stood right in front of me, then suddenly dropped to one knee.

The conference room fell silent.

Audible gasps echoed around me.

I was so shocked I didn't know what to do. "Octavius, what are you doing?"

He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a ring box, and flipped it open

Inside was a ring—the main stone a heart-cut pink diamond, surrounded by smaller gems.

The two colors complemented together, striking a balance between yet playful.

Judging by the craftsmanship, it was clearly an antique from the last century.

Octavius took the ring and held it up to me. "This was my grandmother's ring. After the Stewart family went bankrupt, all their assets were auctioned off. This ring was the only thing my grandmother kept for me, the only thing they didn't take."

He looked at me. "What Quinlan said—part of it is true. My getting close to you does have to do with the Stewart family. I wanted to know the truth about what happened back then."

I froze, wanting to back away.

Octavius caught my hand before I could pull away. "But my feelings for you have always been real."

He looked up at me, his eyes serious and earnest. "I know it's hard for you to believe me right now. But if you're willing, I'll go register our marriage with you today. Once you become my wife, you'll hold all of the Capulet Group's assets."

"If I ever did get close to you just to hurt you, you can divorce me and take half of everything I own."

I stood there stunned, my body going numb as if I were dreaming.

The murmurs around me drilled into my ears.

"How many billions is half of the Capulet Group worth? This is the company the Capulet family built over three generations!"

"He's actually willing to marry Seraphine and share all that wealth? Does that mean his feelings for her are real?"

Real?

My vision blurred. I couldn't stop the tears from falling.

Octavius had admitted it. Getting close to me wasn't just about liking me—he'd also admitted he was investigating the Whitaker family.

But when he confessed all of this, he laid everything before me: his sincerity, his grandmother's ring, all his assets.

All I had to do was nod, and I could have it all.

I couldn't help wiping my tears as I looked toward Heath.

Heath's expression was complicated—shocked, stunned, and tinged with disbelief.

He didn't seem guilty about Octavius believing he was the one who destroyed the Stewart family. It was more like he had a lot he wanted to say.

I took a deep breath. "Octavius, are you sure you want to marry me? You don't even know yet if my father is really your enemy."

"I want to marry you. As for everything else, whatever we find out, we'll face it together. Can we do that?" Octavius gripped my hand tighter, his tone almost humble.

I asked the question slowly. "What if you find out it really was my father who did it?"

Octavius fell silent for two seconds, glancing at Heath. "I will have my revenge. But you are you, and your father is your father. I won't tie that hatred to you. Will you agree to marry me?"

I finally broke down, covering my mouth as I extended my right hand. "I will."

Octavius let out a breath of relief and slid the ring onto my finger, slowly and solemnly.

He stood and pulled me into his arms.

I hugged him back, but over his shoulder, I saw Orion's expression—grave and helpless.

He must be terrified right now, not knowing what to do.

Just when they were about to win over the shareholders, no one expected Octavius to show up, much less expected him to choose me so firmly.

I slowly wiped away my tears, turning from Octavius's embrace to face everyone. "Now, you should feel comfortable handing the company over to me, right? If Octavius's declaration isn't enough to convince you, I really don't know what will."

The shareholders looked at Brielle, murmuring amongst themselves for a moment before speaking.

"Brielle, step down as company president. That includes Orion and your mother—none of you can set foot in this company again."

The moment the words left their mouths, several bodyguards rushed in.

Soren led them to surround the three. "Please leave immediately."

Orion didn't move. He just stared at me. "Seraphine, you're so much stronger than your father. So much smarter. All these years he never figured out I faked my death, but you did. You've been investigating in secret this whole time."

I didn’t bother replying. Instead, I waved a hand, signaling Soren to show them out.

All three of them looked deeply unwilling.

But they had no recourse.

Their motives were exposed. The shareholders would never trust them again.

This time, Orion had failed to take down me and my father to seize power. His influence in the company was finished.

After they left, the shareholders, afraid Octavius would change his mind, hurried forward to sign the agreement.

After I signed, I looked for Heath.

Octavius had made me president and barred everyone else from managing the company.

That meant from now on, Heath could no longer interfere in company affairs.

This company was entirely mine now.

At that moment, Heath seemed unable to accept it. He slumped into a corner, looking completely defeated.

I looked up at Octavius. "You should go. I need to talk to my father. Since you've been honest with me, I'll help you ask what really happened with the Stewart family back then."

Octavius cast a cold glance at Heath.

I could tell—he saw Heath as his enemy now.

The more I realized this, the more moved I felt.

Even though Octavius believed Heath was his enemy, it hadn't stopped him from stepping forward at a moment like this to protect me, to stand by my side.

I watched his figure disappear through the doorway, then dismissed all the shareholders.

The conference room emptied out, leaving just Heath and me.

I walked over to him and pulled up a chair.

"Dad, I want to ask you—what really happened back then? Were you really the one who caused the Stewart family's bankruptcy?"