Chapter 121 The Devil's Bargain

Chapter 121 The Devil's Bargain
\-Celeste-

The rocking beneath my feet was the first thing I noticed, then the ropes.

My wrists were bound to my seat. The cabin smelled of things I didn’t have names for. Through the narrow window, gray water stretched in every direction.

My heart lurched. “Lucien.”

He was slumped beside me, his head bowed, dried blood staining the side of his face.

“Lucien.” I struggled in my spot till my elbow slightly brushed his. “Please…”

His eyelids fluttered. Slowly, painfully, he lifted his head. “Celeste…”

Relief hit me so hard it almost hurt. “You're awake.”

He looked around the cabin before his gaze settled on me. His jaw tightened. “I’m sorry I got you in this mess,” he murmured.

I shook my head. “No…it doesn’t matter. You’re here now. You’re alive.”

A weak smile crossed his lips. “I wasn't exactly going to leave my wife.”

Footsteps descended before I could answer, and the cabin door suddenly swung open. I looked up, and every muscle in my body froze.

“Dad.”

He looked perfectly dressed and composed. As though walking into a room where his kidnapped daughter sat tied to a chair was no different from walking into a board meeting.

His eyes swept over me before settling on Lucien. “So he woke up.”

My voice shook with disbelief. “You did this.” 

He shook his head. “No, I saw a situation and maximized opportunity.”

“You kidnapped your own daughter.”

“Honey, that’s a strong word. Consider this a small hassle.” 

I laughed bitterly. “Is that what I am now?”

“Well you certainly made yourself one.” 

Silence settled between us.

Finally, he spoke again. “I'll keep this brief.” He folded his hands behind his back. “You will resign as President of Ashford Group.”

I stared at him.

“You will publicly withdraw every allegation against this family,” he continued as though reading from an agenda. “You will terminate your ongoing cooperation with the prosecutors, end every internal investigation and release a statement restoring the company's reputation.”

“And then?”

“The board will appoint a new president.”

“You.”

He didn't bother denying it. “Ashford Group requires experienced leadership.”

I couldn't help laughing. It echoed bitterly through the cabin. “So this is what all of this was about?”

“Well apart from Jackson’s personal vendetta against your husband, then yes.” His expression didn’t change. “This company was mine long before it became yours.”

“It was never yours.”

“It will be again.”

I met his eyes. “You murdered, lied and manipulated your way here.”

“I protected what belonged to this family.”

“You protected yourself.”

For the first time, something cold flashed through his eyes. “I am offering you one final opportunity.”

He looked toward Lucien. “Accept my terms, and he gets to leave here with you, alive.”

Something cold coursed through my body. I turned toward Lucien.

He shook his head almost imperceptibly. “No.”

Dad waited. “I won’t ask again.” 

I looked back at him.

“Even now…” My voice cracked. “...you still think power is worth more than people.”

“It always has been.”

“No.” I swallowed hard. “Not to me.”

His gaze lingered on mine for several long seconds. Then he nodded once. “I thought that would be your answer.”

Then he turned toward the exit, and said, “Jackson will be with you shortly.”

The door closed, and for a couple of minutes, nothing happened.

Then another set of footsteps echoed above us until a familiar grin appeared before Jackson stepped into view.

He looked from Lucien to me and chuckled. “I was hoping she'd say no.”

Tears crawled down my cheeks as I looked at him. “Please… Please don’t do anything foolish, Jackson. He trusts you. You’re supposed to be on our side.” 

“Your side?” A cruel smile curved his lips. “Did you watch him switch sides the other day? He used me, and when he was done, he tried to discard me.” He paused, “Let me tell you a story, Celeste.”

“When Lucien was just a boy, he got kidnapped, and rather than pay the ransom, his father let him be until the kidnappers had no choice but to strap his driver to a seat, put a bullet in his head, while Lucien was in the back seat, and sent the car off the bridge.” He paused, as if letting the story sink in.

“Lucien struggled against all odds, and was eventually rescued. But he’s been haunted by water bodies since then. And even now, sitting in this cabin, feeling the movement underneath his feet is torture… Do you now know why I’m telling you this story, Celeste?” 

He didn’t let me answer, he clapped once instead. 

My heart failed as two men entered behind him.

“Take him,” he ordered. 

They moved toward Lucien.

I struggled so hard against the ropes, but it was useless. “No!”

Lucien tried to stand, but the bleeding on his head had drained what little strength he had left.

“We’re going to tie him up, and we’re going to simulate the same experience from when he was a boy, Celeste. At best, he’ll feel like he’s losing his mind… Or worse, he dies from the fear and shock.”

The guards hauled him upright anyway.

“Don't touch him!” My scream bounced against the cabin walls as they dragged him toward the staircase.

Lucien turned his head just enough to find my eyes, his lips moved. “It’s okay!”

“No! Wait!”

Everyone stopped, and my chest heaved as I stared at Lucien.

Then I broke. “Please.” My voice came out small. “I’ll do it.”

The men looked at each other.

“Whatever you want,” I choked out. “I’ll do anything. I don’t care.” My voice shook as tears blurred my vision.

“Just don’t hurt him.”

Jackson let out a smile. 

“Now we’re talking.”