Chapter 27 Web of betrayal

Chapter 27 Web of betrayal

Ronan’s POV

The door swings open before I knock again. Standing there is Sofia,  Annabelle’s ever-feisty friend. Her expression twisted in disgust like she’s staring at something she wants to throw out. Her arms are folded tightly across her chest, her foot tapping impatiently.

Perfect. Exactly the kind of welcome I expected.

“What are you doing here, you annoying pest?” she spits before I can even open my mouth.

“Good morning to you too, Sofie,” I reply with a forced smile, trying to keep my temper in check.

Her nostrils flare. “It’s Sofia, you imbecile!”

God, she’s insufferable. But I can’t blame her entirely — not after the chaos my mother unleashed. I run a hand through my hair, trying to appear calm even though inside I’m boiling. Between the press releases, the inheritance scandal, and Annabelle refusing to see me or take my calls, I’ve barely slept in days.

“Sofia, please,” I say through gritted teeth, “I’m not here for problems neither am I here to fight. I just need to talk to Annabelle. It’s important.”

“Important?” she scoffs, stepping aside just slightly but not enough to let me in. “You’ve caused enough damage already. The best thing you can do for her right now is disappear.”

Before I can reply, I hear the voice that makes my chest ache and my heart which has refused to understand that she’s my sister stumble.

“Ronan,” she says from behind Sofia, her tone cutting, her eyes cold. “I told you I never want to see you again. What part of that don’t you understand?”

I swallow hard. Even angry, she’s still beautiful. Her eyes glimmer with hurt more than rage, and that makes it worse. I take a cautious step forward.

“Annabelle, please… I’m sorry. I’m really sorry about everything you’re going through. But I swear, I had nothing to do with what’s happening. My mother, she went too far this time.”

Sofia snorts, arms crossing tighter. “Oh sure, blame mummy dearest. How original.”

I shoot her a glare. “Can you just—” I stop myself before saying something I’ll regret. “Just… please, let me talk to her alone.”

Sofia opens her mouth to argue again, but Annabelle raises her hand. “It’s fine, Sofia. I’ve got this.”

Reluctantly, Sofia steps back, muttering, “I’m right here if he tries anything stupid.”

I exhale slowly, focusing on Annabelle. “I understand that you really hate me,” I begin, my voice softer now. “But believe me when I say, I didn’t know about any of this.

She folds her arms, looking skeptical. “You expect me to believe that? After everything you and your mother has done? The accusations, the threats, the media, your mother parading my name like I’m some gold digger?”

I nod earnestly. “I know. And I’ll fix it. You’ll get your inheritance, I promise you that. I’ll personally see to it.”

Her eyes widen in shock, and for a brief moment, I see something shift in her. Confusion, maybe even a flicker of hope. I take a small step closer, desperate to bridge the gap between us.

“Please, Annabelle. All I’m asking for is forgiveness. Let me make this right.”

She exhales shakily, her lips parting as if she’s about to say something. Then my phone blares loudly, slicing through the fragile silence.

I glance at the screen. Marcus.

Damn it.

“Give me one second,” I mutter, answering quickly. “Marcus, I’m in the middle of something…”

“Ronan!” His voice is sharp, almost panicked. “Where are you? You need to get to the office right now. Victoria’s done something. You’re in serious trouble, and I don’t think you can escape this.”

“What do you…” The line goes dead.

I stare at the screen, dread curling in my stomach. Annabelle’s expression softens slightly.

“Go,” she says quietly. “Handle whatever it is. We’ll talk later.”

Her words “we’ll talk later” ignite a spark of hope in me. I nod quickly, murmuring, “Thank you,” before turning on my heels and rushing out.

By the time I reach the office, sweat is pooling at my temple and my chest feels tight. My secretary rushes towards me like she’s been waiting, “Mr. Ronan, the board’s waiting in the conference room, please hurry. It’s urgent.”

I barely have time to process before I’m sprinting down the hall and pushing open the heavy doors.

Every face turns toward me. Grim, furious, expectant. Marcus is standing at the far end, his eyes filled with worry. And at the head of the table… sits my mother, serene and smiling smugly like a queen watching her pawn crumble.

Alan, one of the oldest board members, slams a stack of papers onto the table. “Good of you to finally join us, Mr. Ronan. Care to explain this?”

He flings the stack of papers toward me. They scatter across the floor, and I bend down to pick a few of them up, my hands trembling slightly. My eyes skim the documents  quickly and I’m shocked at my discovery. Multiple transactions, offshore accounts, millions moved… and my signature plastered on every single one.

“What the hell is this?” I whisper.

“Isn’t that what we’re asking you?” Alan snaps. “These authorizations were made under your name! Care to explain how?”

“I— I never approved this. These are forgeries!” I stammer.

My mother’s voice cuts through the tension like silk. “Oh, Ronan, really. Are you sure you want to go with that excuse?” Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.

I glare at her. “You did this.”

A ripple of murmurs runs across the table.

Matthew, another board member, slams his palm on the desk. His face is red with anger. “Do you take us for fools, Young man? Even Harrison your father never pulled something this reckless. Offshore laundering? Hidden accounts? You’ve destroyed years of trust in this company!”

“I didn’t—”

“How dare you!” he continues, voice shaking with fury. “Is this your idea of protecting your father’s legacy? Are you even fit to lead this company?”

I clench my fists. “Listen to me, please. Someone forged these. I can assure you—”

“Enough!” Alan barks. “Enough with the excuses. The evidences are right in our faces”

I slam the papers onto the table. “This is not my doing!  I don’t know who and why anyone would try to frame me but you all know who else would be wanting the total control of this company…

My mother chuckles softly, shaking her head. “Oh, Ronan. Such wild accusations. You sound just like your father before he ruined himself.”

That hits a nerve. My vision blurs with rage. “Don’t you dare talk about him!”

The room falls silent for a moment, everyone watching the silent war between us.

Alan finally clears his throat. “If you’re truly innocent, then we’ll conduct a full investigation. But until then…” He looks around at the others, who nod in agreement. “…you are hereby suspended pending investigation. Security will escort you out.”

The words hit me like a hammer.

Marcus starts to walk towards me, looking angry and helpless. “Ronan…”

“It’s fine,” I say, my voice devoid of emotion. “I understand.”

As I turn to leave, my gaze locks with my mother’s. She’s still smiling …smug, victorious, venomous.

I walk towards her and lean close enough for only her to hear. “Enjoy your little win, Mother. Because when I find out all you’ve done… I’ll make sure you regret every second of it.”

Her smirk only deepens. “We’ll see, Son.”

And with that, I walk out of the boardroom. Out of the company my father built vowing silently to no one In particular that this isn’t over. No, not  by a long shot.