Chapter 108 The Countermove
Chapter 108 The Countermove
\-Lucien-
I expected Daniel to be alone.
I was surprised when a woman opened the door. For a moment, I simply stared. Confused.
“Is this—”
“You must be Lucien.” I smiled politely.
I blinked. “I am.”
She extended her hand. “I'm Nora Kim.”
I looked at her hand before slowly shaking it. “Nora Kim?”
A small smile tugged at her lips. “Come on in.”
I stepped inside, still trying to understand the situation when Daniel appeared from the living room.
“You got here fast.”
I looked between him and Nora. “You didn't mention you had company.”
Daniel gave me a look. “It's a long story.”
Nora smiled faintly. “I can leave if this is a private conversation.”
“No,” Daniel said immediately. “Stay.”
The way he said it told me everything I needed to know. There was history there.
I didn't comment.
Right now, we had bigger problems.
Daniel motioned toward the living room.
“We need to move quickly,” I said.
His expression became serious. “I agree. Vaughn Capital at seventeen percent. That's bad. They're moving fast. Too fast.”
“They're testing the waters.” I opened the folder I'd come back with.
“They're buying from shareholders who are losing confidence. Patricia's death, Reginald's investigation, and the uncertainty surrounding the company have created the perfect opportunity.”
Daniel studied the documents. “So we do the same.”
I looked at him. “What?”
“We buy,” he said without hesitation. “That's the obvious answer.”
“But we can't just buy shares directly.” He understood immediately. “If we do, everyone will know.”
I tapped the documents.
“Also, you're an Ashford heir. If you suddenly start acquiring shares, the market will assume you're planning a hostile takeover.”
He nodded. “So we create another player. A holding company.”
Silence followed.
He continued. “A separate entity. One that can acquire shares without immediately revealing who is behind it.”
“And how much power can we gain?” I asked.
He leaned forward. “Enough to stop Vaughn from controlling the board.”
“It won't be enough to take over,” I met his eyes. “But enough to protect Ashford Group until we decide our next move.”
The room went quiet.
Then Daniel looked away. “My shares.”
I frowned. “What about them?”
“I'll transfer them.” I didn't answer immediately.
Those shares represented his place in the Ashford family. The thing Patricia had spent her final days trying to restore.
“You don't have to do that.”
“I know.” His voice was calm. “But if we lose Ashford Group, it won't matter that I finally got my name back.”
I understood.
Because this was never just about money for him. Before I could respond, Nora spoke.
“I can help.”
Both of us looked at her, she folded her hands.
“My family has connections with investors in Asia and America. If you need additional backing, I can help open those doors.”
Daniel looked surprised. “Nora…”
She smiled slightly. “Daniel, I know how these games work. Companies don't survive because they have the most money. They survive because they know who to call when they need it.”
“Why help us?” I asked.
Her expression softened. “Because this matters to Daniel.”
Daniel looked away. I pretended not to notice.
“We'll need every advantage we can get,” I said.
Nora nodded. “Then I'll help.”
I looked back at the documents. There was one problem left. Celeste.
“She can't know yet,” I said almost immediately.
Daniel immediately looked at me. His expression hardened. “Lucien. You can't keep hiding who you truly are from her.
“She will know.” I held his gaze. “Soon. But not now.”
“Why?”
Because I knew Celeste.
She would feel betrayed that I hid the truth from her and probably not forgive me. Before that, I needed to make sure Ashford Group was protected.
“Because now isn't the right time.”
Daniel didn't look convinced, but didn't object.
At that moment, I got a call from Carl—the guy I'd put in place to watch my mother's house. My heart immediately tightened.
I answered.
“Mr. Blackwell.
Your mother…” he said, his voice calm. “She escaped.”
“She's alive?”
“Yes. I'm working on finding her as we speak.”
Relief hit me so suddenly that I had to close my eyes.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to breathe.