Chapter 135
Elena's POV
When Mom and I finally left the café, my legs felt like water. The adrenaline that had carried me through the confrontation was draining fast, leaving behind a shaky, hollow feeling.
"You were brave in there," Mom said quietly as we stepped into the cold air. "Reckless, but brave."
I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or a criticism. Before I could respond, I saw him.
Caleb.
He was running toward us, something shifting in his posture—tension bleeding out.
"Are you okay?" His voice carried concern.
I didn't let myself think. I just moved. I threw my arms around him and held on tight.
Mom's cough jolted me back to reality. I realized I was still gripping Caleb tightly.
I pulled back fast, cheeks burning. "Sorry. I didn't mean to—"
Mom stepped between us with a strained smile. "Today our Elena was quite impressive. Marcus looked genuinely stunned."
"Mom—" I groaned, the word coming out softer than I intended, almost pleading.
Caleb's gaze flickered to me.
I cleared my throat. "What are you doing here?"
He blinked, the warmth fading back into his usual restraint. "I heard my father's assistant mention he was meeting with you. I was worried you'd be alone."
"I can handle them," I said, lifting my chin. After what I'd just done in there, I almost believed it.
Caleb pulled car keys from his pocket and held them out. "Wait for me in the parking garage—both of you. I need to speak with him."
My stomach dropped. "Caleb, no. He's already angry—"
"Elena." Mom's hand closed around my wrist. Her voice was gentle but firm. "This is between them. You can't fix everything."
I twisted to look back as we left. Caleb walked alone into the café.
---
Marcus's POV
Isabella had just left for the restroom when the door opened. Caleb appeared in the doorway. Somewhat unexpected.
"You came for her," I said flatly.
"I came to make sure you didn't bully her into something she doesn't want." His voice was calm, but I caught the edge beneath it.
I laughed once, sharp. "Bully. That's rich, coming from you."
"Is it?" He tilted his head. "You just tried to break her down. Don't pretend otherwise."
"She made a spectacle of this family—"
"Damon made a spectacle," Caleb interrupted.
I clenched my jaw. He wasn't wrong.
"And now Randy's in the hospital," I said coldly. "His heart can't take this kind of stress."
Caleb's expression flickered. But he didn't back down. "That's not Elena's fault. That's on Damon."
"She swapped the groom out for you!"
"She made a choice." His voice dropped, quieter but more dangerous.
I stared at him. This version of Caleb—the one who spoke without flinching, who stood his ground against me—was unsettling. I'd built my control on making sure he never felt secure enough to challenge me.
"The engagement was a disaster," I said finally. "The whole pack saw it. We need damage control."
"Then let me handle it."
I blinked. "What?"
"Elena and I will fix this," Caleb said. His jaw tightened. "If you agree to our terms."
"Terms?" My voice rose before I could stop it. "You think you're in a position to negotiate?"
"I'm in the only position that matters." He pulled out his phone, showed me a screen I couldn't quite read. "I control the AI division. Keeping us ahead of other companies—that's my work. You know it."
Fuck. He was right.
I forced myself to breathe evenly. "What do you want?"
"Recognize the engagement. Publicly. Elena and I will go through with it—after she graduates. That gives everyone time to adjust, and it keeps the blood pact intact."
"You want me to legitimize you marrying Damon's fiancée."
"I want you to legitimize Elena's choice." His amber eyes were steady. "If you can't do that, I walk. I'll take everything I've built. Elena and I will leave Saint-Helier. You'll never see us again."
The threat hung in the cold air between us. He meant it. I could see it in the set of his shoulders, the way his hands had curled into fists at his sides.
If he left, Vance Industries would hemorrhage value. Investors would panic. Competitors would smell blood in the water.
"You're bluffing," I said, but even I didn't believe it.
"Try me."
I studied him for a long moment. This wasn't the scared kid I'd locked in the tower. This was someone who'd learned to survive without me—who'd built something I couldn't take away.
"Fine," I said finally. "But there are conditions."
"Of course there are."
"Make Elena cut all contact with Damon. If she's serious about you, she acts like it. Once you successfully complete all the ceremonies, we'll naturally help the Cross family."
Caleb nodded once. "Agreed."
"When your grandfather recovers, you both need to visit him, explain things clearly, and apologize."
His jaw tightened, but he didn't argue. "Fine."
"And one more thing." I stepped closer, dropping my voice. "You keep those algorithms running. You keep Vance Industries on top. Because the second you stop being useful, this deal is over. Understood?"
For a moment, something dangerous flashed in his eyes. Then he blinked, and it was gone.
"Understood," he said quietly.
He turned and left. Didn't linger a second longer.
---
Elena's POV
Mom and I sat anxiously waiting in the back seat.
When I saw Caleb walking toward the car, I breathed a sigh of relief. But immediately tensed up again. What had Marcus said to him? What had he agreed to?
The driver's door opened. Caleb slid in, his movements stiff.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Fine," he said shortly.
Before I could press, my phone rang. The screen lit up from where I'd shoved it: Damon Calling.
I hit decline.
It rang again immediately.
"Who is it?" Mom asked.
I glanced at Caleb.
"Damon," I said quietly. "I don't want to talk to him."
Caleb's jaw flexed. He turned the key, and the engine purred to life.