The Heiress' Revenge Free Preview

I used the inheritance my parents left me to support my fiancé’s studies abroad for three years.

During those three years, I tirelessly cared for his sick mother and young family members, using my inheritance to cover their living expenses. But when he returned, he brought another woman with him. He declared that he wanted to break off our engagement and marry her instead.

I sat perfectly still on the luxurious leather couch, my fingers lightly folded in my lap, my custom designer dress doing little to shield me from the ice running through my veins.

Across from me stood Adrian Warren the man I had spent three years waiting for.

His tailored suit still held the faint creases of travel, and though exhaustion clung to his features, it did nothing to dull his commanding presence. His face was set in a mixture of determination and… something else. Regret?

"Cassandra," he began, his voice steady, "I wanted to tell you myself. Vivian and I are getting married. She will be my wife. There’s no discussion to be had."

A sharp, ice-cold chill settled in my bones, spreading through my limbs like poison. I had rehearsed every possible scenario in my mind, yet nothing could have prepared me for the sheer brutality of his words. He said it like it meant nothing, like I meant nothing to him. My fingers curled slightly into my lap, gripping onto the fabric of my dress as if it could hold me together.

I let out a quiet breath, my expression unreadable. "The tabloids call her the ideal modern woman brilliant, powerful, the type to shatter glass ceilings. But tell me, Adrian does a woman like that settle for being someone’s second choice?"

His jaw tightened. "She won’t be a second choice. She’ll be my wife. You and I were only engaged, Cassandra. It was never a permanent bond."

I let out a soft laugh, one that held no warmth. "You can dress it up however you like, but ultimately, she’s just a replacement."

His irritation flickered. "Does it matter? Vivian and I fell in love. We earned this. I don’t need your approval."

I tilted my head slightly, studying him. "Earned it? Interesting."

Silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken history.

"Tell me, Adrian do you remember what you said to me before you left for that business trip three years ago?"

I saw the slight shift in his expression, the hesitation that he quickly buried.

Three years ago, before he left for what was supposed to be a temporary expansion trip, Adrian had held my hands, looked me in the eyes, and sworn,

"Cassandra Sinclair, you are the only woman I will ever love. I will never betray you."

Now, he turned away slightly, his fingers adjusting the cuff of his watch. "Forget what I said. When we got engaged, I didn’t understand love. I thought you were a good match a suitable wife and a business partner who was a perfect fit for me. But then I met Rory."

A memory flickered through my mind his hands cupping my face, his lips brushing against my forehead as he whispered, "I will never betray you."

The man who once spoke those words now stood before me, effortlessly tearing apart every vow, every dream, every piece of the future we had built. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t falter. He simply discarded me like an old contract that no longer served its purpose.

Rory.

His voice softened at her name, his entire demeanor shifting his eyes warming with genuine affection in a way they never had for me.

"She’s unlike any woman I’ve ever met," he murmured. "I love her deeply. And I hope you’ll support this decision."

A slow, sharp pain coiled in my chest, but I refused to let it show.

Despite the sheer disgust curling in my stomach, I forced my voice to remain neutral. "What about your parents? Do they approve?"

Adrian barely hesitated. "They do. It was their decision as well. Besides, Vivian is intelligent, charismatic, and confident. She visited my mother earlier."

My fingers tightened around the armrest.

They agreed? Hah.

Everything I had done for this family over the past year worthless.

"Is she here now?" I asked, arching a brow.

His expression softened. "Yes. She’s with my mother. They get along well, and honestly… my mother hasn’t looked this happy in a long time. Even her health has improved."

I let out a quiet breath. "Improved?"

A whirlwind of emotions crashed through me, but I kept my face unreadable.

"When you left for that business expansion deal," I said evenly, "your mother was critically ill. I hired the best specialists. I personally managed the household finances to afford her treatments. I stayed up for nights, monitoring her condition. It was because of my efforts that she started to recover."

I wasn’t looking for praise. I was stating facts.

"And yet," Adrian continued as if he hadn’t heard me, "seeing Vivian has made my mother feel even better. I know this isn’t easy for you, but for the bigger picture, I hope you’ll support us."

"Maybe you helped," he said with a shrug, "but Vivian’s presence gave me something you never could happiness."

My nails dug into the armrest, the sharp sting grounding me.three year of sleepless nights, endless hospital visits, and careful monitoring reduced to ‘maybe you helped.’

I pressed my lips together, forcing the sting behind my eyes to disappear. My gaze sharpened.

"Invite Vivian over," I said smoothly. "I have a few things to ask her."

Adrian's response was immediate. "That’s unnecessary. Cassandra, she’s different from the women you know. She’s not the type to engage in petty household conflicts. She wouldn’t even want to meet you."

"Unlike you, she doesn’t waste time clinging to things that are already over."

My heart clenched, but I forced myself to smile, even as something inside me shattered beyond repair.

I let out a soft laugh cold and cutting.

"The women I know?" I repeated. "Tell me, Adrian, what kind of woman do you think I am?"

Silence.

"Have you forgotten?" I asked, my voice dangerously soft. "I am from a prestigous family, I built my own name before our engagement. I handled high-profile accounts, expanded my family’s company’s international presence, and secured deals that others only dreamed of."

"That was different," Adrian said flatly. "You’re better suited for boardrooms and charity galas. Vivian doesn’t respect women like that. She’s bold, ruthless. If you meet her, she might say things you won’t like. Why put yourself through that?"

I met his gaze, tilting my head slightly.

In the soft glow of the chandelier, the beauty mark under my eye stood out more prominently.

"It’s fine," I murmured. "If she says anything unpleasant, I’ll ignore it. After all, understanding the bigger picture and acting with dignity those are essential virtues for any woman in my position. Don't you trust me?"

For the first time that night, Adrian hesitated.

He thought I would crumble. That I was just a woman whose only worth was tied to marriage.

But Adrian Warren had not realised something crucial.

I was not the woman he left behind.

I was Cassandra Sinclair, the woman who had silently built an empire while he was gone.

Adrian let out an exasperated sigh. “Why are you making this so difficult? The engagement is over, Cassandra. My future is with Vivian. Even when she moves in, you’ll be in separate wings. She’s not here to take anything from you. She doesn’t care about household matters. We are just letting you stay in the mansion since you don’t have anywhere else to go, you will be running the household”

I let out a cold, humorless laugh. “Do you really think I care about running this house?”

This penthouse, this name, this family it was nothing more than a stage where I played the role they expected. A noblewoman, waiting quietly for her fiancé’s return. A woman with nothing to her name but status. Or so they thought. Every expense, from his mother’s medical treatments to the luxurious lifestyle his family enjoyed, had been funded by me. The staff, the parties, the image he so carefully upheld I had been the one making it all work while he was off doing as he pleased.

And now? He was bringing another woman here. Into my home.

"Enough." Adrian’s patience thinned. "I didn’t come here to argue. I just needed to inform you. Whether you agree or not, it changes nothing."

"I’ve done everything for this family," I whispered. "Paid for your mother’s care, handled the staff, protected your reputation "

"And?" Adrian sighed, rubbing his temple as if exhausted by my words. "You did what was expected of you. Don't act like it was some great sacrifice. Besides, Vivian has already arranged better care for my mother. She has connections, influence. You don’t need to concern yourself anymore."

My stomach twisted painfully. Just like that everything I had done was wiped away, replaced by her.

I watched him turn, already dismissing me, walking out as if his decision was final.

My last thread of loyalty to him snapped. Whatever love, duty, or forgiveness I had left dissolved into nothing. He was no longer the man I once trusted. He was just another obstacle standing in my way.

"My lady, he’s being so unfair and a jerk!" Anna, my assistant, wiped at her misty eyes, her voice trembling with emotion.

"Don’t call him that," I said coolly, my voice sharper than glass. "That man is nothing to me. Now, go get my financial records and dowry ledger."

Anna blinked in confusion. “Your dowry ledger? Why? Wait… you’re not just leaving, are you?”

I tapped her forehead lightly. “Silly girl, why do you think? We’re leaving.”

Her mouth fell open. “But your mother arranged this engagement. Your father wanted you to build a family, to have children…”

At the mention of my parents, something deep and painful cracked inside me.

My father had been a business legend, loyal to my mother in a world where power often came at the cost of love. No mistresses, no scandals. They had built an empire together. My six brothers, trained to be warriors in the corporate battlefield, had stood by his side.

Until three years ago, when they were all wiped out.

Our enemies had launched a ruthless hostile takeover, destroying everything. I had been away then, training under one of the most brilliant financial minds in the world. By the time I returned at fifteen, it was too late.

That day, the Cassandra Sinclair they knew died. But another was born. One who wouldn’t be overlooked again.

They thought I was just a relic of a fallen dynasty, a woman clinging to a bygone name. What they didn’t know was that while Adrian was gone, I was rebuilding my empire brick by brick, deal by deal.

He wasn’t just choosing Vivian. He was securing his future. With her by his side, he wouldn’t need me anymore. Not my name. Not my influence. Not my money.

It was in that moment that I felt it the last thread tying me to him snapped. Whatever love, loyalty, or forgiveness I had left for Adrian Warren dissolved into nothing. He was no longer the man I once trusted. He was just another obstacle standing in my way.

They thought I was just a woman scorned. A discarded fiancée.

They had no idea they had just created their greatest rival.

My mother, blinded by grief, had clutched my hands and whispered, “You are all I have left, Cassandra. You must live as a woman of status should. Find a good man, marry, have children. Build a peaceful life.”

Determined to honor my mother’s wishes, I had spent a year mastering the art of being the perfect fiancée learning etiquette, finance, household management, and every expectation placed upon a woman of my status. I had been raised to stand beside a powerful man, not to become one.

But I was more than just Cassandra Sinclair, the fallen heiress of the Sinclair dynasty. The world saw me as a delicate socialite, a woman whose future was tied to the man she married. They didn’t know the truth.

I was known for my intelligence, my calculated poise, and a mind sharper than any business rival. I had spent years studying under financial titans, mastering the art of negotiation and empire-building in secret. The world believed I was nothing more than a beautiful, discarded fiancée but they had no idea the kind of power I truly wielded.

Yet my mother had chosen Adrian Warren. He had sworn on his name, his honor, his life that if he married me, he would never take another woman.

And I had believed him.

But two years ago, everything changed.

The Sinclair Estate was reduced to nothing but a massacre.

Everyone from the household staff to the youngest child was slaughtered. My two-year-old nephew, born after the death of my third brother, was among the victims.

The attackers weren’t random criminals. The investigation revealed that they were hired assassins, men who had infiltrated the city just to erase my family from existence.

It wasn’t just murder.

It was vengeance.

I had rushed home only to find my mother and grandmother’s bodies dismembered beyond recognition. Blood everywhere. The house that had once held my entire world was now nothing more than a graveyard.

That day, the Cassandra Sinclair the world had known died too.

I was the last Sinclair standing.

And while the world expected me to accept my fate, to fade into silence, they underestimated me.

Restoring my family’s legacy? The world laughed at the thought.

But they wouldn’t be laughing for long.

Vivian, though she was different.

She wasn’t just another woman. She was powerful, admired, untouchable. She had secured her place through careful business acquisitions, elite networking, and charitable ventures that masked her ruthless ambition. She moved like a queen in the business world, earning the favor of even the most cutthroat elites.

Vivian wasn’t just powerful she was ruthless in ways Adrian couldn’t even comprehend. She didn’t just win; she made sure her opponents never recovered. And now, she had set her sights on me.

With her at Adrian’s side, his position, wealth, and influence would be unstoppable.

That was why the Warren family had agreed so easily to this marriage.

They saw Vivian as Adrian’s future

And me?

As nothing more than a mistake he was correcting.

But they had all made one crucial error.

They thought I was finished.

They thought I had nothing left.

They had no idea that I had already begun building my own empire one that would soon eclipse them all.

They thought they had won.

But the game had only just begun.

And I never played to lose.

Anna brought over the financial records and dowry ledger, her voice hesitant. "This year alone, you've spent millions supporting the Warren family's lifestyle. However, the businesses, stocks, and overseas assets remain untouched. All the liquid capital, along with the property deeds and investment portfolios your mother left, are secured."

I glanced at the documents. "Alright."

Just looking at the numbers stirred something deep within me. My mother had given me a substantial dowry, fearing I would suffer hardships in my husband's home. But I had never been a helpless noblewoman. While Adrian had been away, I had been expanding my wealth in silence, turning every setback into an opportunity.

"My lady, where can we go? Are we moving back to the Sinclair penthouse? Or should we return to the private estate in Meadow Ridge?" Anna asked, looking distressed.

Images of the bloodstained estate and the tragic deaths of my family members flashed through my mind, sending a sharp pang through my chest.

"Anywhere is better than staying here."

"If you leave, you'll be giving them exactly what they want."

"So be it. If I stay, I'll waste my life watching those two play house while they benefit from my sacrifices." My voice was steady, my resolve unwavering. "Anna, I must live well not just for myself but for my parents and brothers. The Sinclair name will not disappear so easily."

"My lady!" Anna wept bitterly.

She had been born and raised under the Sinclair name, and the massacre had claimed the lives of everyone she had ever known. The images of that day still haunted her, and returning to the past seemed unthinkable. "Is there no other way?" she asked desperately.

My gaze grew cold, sharp like a blade. "There is. I could confront the corporate board and use my family's legacy to demand my rightful place. If they refuse, I'll dismantle every last piece of the empire they stole from us."

Anna was startled and immediately protested, "My lady, you can't!"

My expression softened, a sly smile playing on my lips. "Do you think I'm that reckless? If I choose to strike, I will do so with precision. If Adrian and his new fiancée want to build their future together, they’ll have to do it without a single cent of mine."

Just then, someone called from outside. "Madam Cassandra, the matriarch has requested your presence!"

"It's Jade, Madam Evelyn's maid. It seems like Madam Evelyn wants to try and persuade you," Anna whispered.

I straightened up, my expression serious. "Then, let's go."

The evening sun glowed like blood, and the autumn wind was chilly. The Warren family’s residence, Valor Estate, had once been prestigious but was now fading into decline.

Most of the Warren family’s men were business men who owned multiple businesses, while only a few held minor corporate positions. Adrian’s father, Emmank, had struggled in his career, and his uncle, Gregory, held an insignificant role in the company’s board. Adrian and his eldest brother, Fredrick, had only recently gained recognition, but their power was still limited.

Accompanied by Anna, I arrived at Evelyn’s room. Evelyn's complexion looked healthier, and she was sitting up in bed. She smiled warmly when she saw me.

"You're here."

Fredrick and his wife, Beatrice Morgan, were also in the room. Adrian’s sister, Chloe, and the other children of the extended family were present as well. Adrian’s second aunt, Beatrice Lewis, sat nearby, her expression cold and disapproving.

"Hello, Mother. Aunt Beatrice, Fredrick, Beatrice," I greeted them politely.

"Cassandra, come here." Evelyn gestured for me to sit by her bedside.

The older woman took my hand in a display of affection, smiling warmly. "Now that Adrian is back, you have someone to rely on. This year has been so hard on you, especially with what happened to your family. You’re the only one left of the Sinclair legacy. Fortunately, all of that is behind you now."

I immediately understood Evelyn’s intent she wanted to remind me that, without the Sinclair family, I was powerless and should be grateful to remain attached to the Warrens.

I pulled my hand away, my gaze unreadable. "Mother, I heard you met Vivian today."

Evelyn hesitated, her smile faltering. "Yes, I did. She’s rather bold, but she doesn’t compare to you in grace and beauty."

My lips curled slightly. "So, you don’t approve of her?"

Evelyn sighed, her expression suddenly one of helplessness. "It’s not that. She comes from a strong background and has powerful connections. With her support, Adrian’s future is secure."

I tilted my head slightly. "Interesting. Because just a year ago, you told me that a wife should be gentle, devoted, and without ambition. That a woman who meddled in business affairs was undesirable."

Evelyn stiffened, her grip tightening on the blanket. "Cassandra, dear, you must understand things change. Circumstances shift. Vivian brings advantages that we cannot ignore."

I let out a small, mirthless laugh. "Ah, I see. When I was Adrian’s fiancée, ambition in a woman was shameful. But now that it benefits him, it's admirable."

Evelyn opened her mouth to argue but faltered. The hypocrisy was clear, and she knew I had seen through her entirely.

I rose to my feet. "Thank you for your time, Mother. I see things very clearly now."

"Cassandra," Evelyn called out to me softly. "Please don’t be difficult. Just help Adrian out. You know you have no one now, no family or a strong name in the city. Being devoted to Adrian is the best decision you can make for yourself."

"Mother, do you think it is fair? I have been here for three years running the household while Adrian was expanding your family’s company, and you just met this new woman today and decided I am no longer fit to be his wife?"

Adrian had returned with another woman and expected me to fade into silence. But he had underestimated me.

I had spent three years funding Adrian’s dreams, believing we were building a future together. When he got accepted into an exclusive business program abroad, I didn’t hesitate. I used the inheritance my parents left me every cent of it to pay for his tuition, his apartment, even the little luxuries that made his life easier. I told myself it was an investment, that we were a team, and soon, he’d come back to me, successful and grateful.

But now, standing in the lavish dining room of the Warren estate, I realized just how wrong I had been.

"How can I possibly have an opinion on her after meeting her just once?" I forced a smile, gripping the stem of my wine glass. "But since Adrian has already made his decision, there’s no point dwelling on it, is there? He and his fiancée will make the perfect power couple while I step aside and watch. Isn’t that wonderful?"

Evelyn , his mother, smiled warmly, as if I hadn’t just handed over three years of my life to a man who had discarded me like last season’s fashion. "Of course, dear. And you’ll still be part of our family. You’ve done so much for Adrian, after all."

My stomach twisted at the condescension in her voice. "Yes, I’m sure," I replied, my tone laced with bitterness. "But let’s not pretend this situation is fair."

Beatrice laughed, the sound like nails on glass. "Oh, darling, don’t be so dramatic. Adrian’s new fiancée is a perfect match for him. A woman of status, a business leader in her own right. You should be happy for him."

Happy? Was I supposed to be happy that I had drained my bank account for a man who had traded me in for someone more ‘suitable’?

I turned to Chloe, Adrian’s sister, who had always been kinder to me than the rest of his family. "Tell me, Chloe, is this really how things work? A woman gives everything, only to be cast aside the moment she’s no longer convenient?"

Her expression wavered, guilt flashing in her eyes. But she stayed silent.

I exhaled sharply. "Well, then, I suppose there’s no need for me to stick around. Beatrice, I’ll be settling the accounts tomorrow and stepping away from any further involvement."

"Oh, but you’ve done such a wonderful job running things," Beatrice objected smoothly. "Why don’t you continue?"

I smiled, a sharp, mocking curve of my lips. "Everyone is satisfied because I paid for everything. Adrian’s tuition, this house’s expenses, even the new designer clothes you all wear. But that ends now."

Beatrice stiffened. Chloe looked away. No one spoke.

I stood, pushing my chair back slowly. "I hope Adrian’s new bride enjoys the life I built for him. But I refuse to play the fool any longer."

With that, I turned on my heel and walked out, leaving behind the people who had used me for far too long.

Let them figure out how to survive without me.

I had spent years giving everything to Adrian my love, my time, and most of all, my inheritance. Every dollar my parents had left me went into supporting his dream, funding his studies abroad, and making sure he had the best of everything. I believed in us. I believed in him. But now, I saw just how blind I had been.

"Stop right there!" Beatrice’s voice cut through the air, her face dark with anger. "You’re being unreasonable, darling. Men like Adrian are meant to have options. If you can’t accept that, people will think you’re bitter and jealous."

For years, I had played the obedient fiancée, letting the Warrens dictate my place in Adrian’s life. They assumed I would always comply, that I was too soft to fight back. But tonight, something inside me snapped.

I lifted my chin, my voice calm but firm. "People can think whatever they want. I don’t live my life for their approval."

Evelyn face contorted with rage, and she let out a sharp cough. Once, I would have rushed to her side, patting her back, murmuring words of comfort. But not anymore. I remained where I stood, bathed in the soft glow of the chandelier, watching her struggle with the weight of her own words.

"Look what you’ve done to Mom!" Chloe, Adrian’s younger sister, stepped forward, her youthful face twisted with indignation. "This isn’t even about you. Do you really think your family name still holds any weight? Your parents are gone, your inheritance is spent, and you have nothing left. Aren’t you afraid Adrian will leave you if you keep acting like some spoiled heiress?"

I looked her up and down, taking in the pale yellow dress she was wearing the same one I had gifted her last fall. She stood there, wrapped in my generosity, daring to question my worth.

"Take off that dress before you try to lecture me," I said, my voice like ice.

Chloe’s face burned red. "I didn’t ask for it! You can have it back if it means so much to you."

"Good. And while you’re at it, return the jewelry, too. Everything I paid for every last thing. I expect it all back."

A tense silence settled over the room. My gaze swept across their stunned faces. The only one who seemed remotely pleased was Beatrice, Adrian’s cousin. Everyone else looked as if I had shattered some carefully constructed illusion.

I exhaled slowly, my decision crystal clear. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving."

Without another glance, I turned on my heel and walked out, finally reclaiming the dignity they had stolen from me.

The Warrens exchanged puzzled glances. No one had expected me to stand my ground, especially not against Beatrice, the matriarch of the family.

"She’ll come around. She doesn’t have a choice," Evelyn said coldly, her confidence unwavering.

And in their minds, she was right.

I had no family left. My parents were gone, my inheritance spent on Adrian’s dreams, and the life I had built was tied to this family. On paper, I was still Adrian’s fiancée, and they had never laid a hand on me. But mistreatment came in many forms.

Early the next morning, I left the Warren estate with Anna, my childhood friend and the only person who had stayed by my side.

Returning to my family’s estate after so long was like stepping into a ghost town. The once-grand mansion was bleak, covered in fallen leaves, its gardens overrun with weeds. Just six months of neglect had turned it into a place of sorrow and abandonment. My chest tightened as I stepped onto the cracked stone pathway.

Six months ago, I had collapsed when I learned my family had been betrayed and torn apart. I had held my mother’s lifeless body in my arms, her warmth already fading. Every corner of this estate had been drenched in grief.

Now, as I stood in the family chapel, my fingers traced the edges of the memorial plaques set for my parents and ancestors. Anna and I had brought fresh flowers, our silent tribute to the people we had lost.

I knelt before their plaques, my hands trembling, but my heart steady. "Dad, Mom, if you can hear me… forgive me for what I’m about to do. I once dreamed of a peaceful life, of love, of a future built on trust. But I know now that Adrian is not the man to build that future with. I promise you I will survive. Anna and I will find our own way."

Beside me, Anna sobbed quietly, her shoulders shaking. But there was no turning back.

By midday, we were standing at the grand gates of the Sterling Residence. The golden sun hung high, merciless in its heat, but I didn’t move. I wouldn’t leave until I had done what I came here to do.

An hour passed. No one came to let us in.

Anna glanced at me, her voice laced with worry. "Miss, what if the Governor won’t see you? Maybe he thinks you’re here to challenge his decision. You haven’t eaten since yesterday. Please, let me at least get you something."

I shook my head, my eyes locked on the towering gates. "I’m not hungry."

The only thing I felt was the unwavering resolve to take my life back.

"Please, Miss, don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s not worth getting sick over. Why not let it go?" Anna's voice was quiet, almost pleading. "You’re still Adrian’s rightful fiancée. Even if Vivian gets a title, she’ll always be second to you. Maybe it’s best to endure it?"

I turned to her, my voice cold. "Anna, if you're going to talk like that, don't speak at all."

She sighed, looking away, lost in her own thoughts. I knew she only wanted what was best for me. She had hoped that when Adrian returned, things would finally fall into place. But instead, they had only gotten worse.

…

In his private office, Logan Sterling leaned back in his chair as his assistant, Victor Carter, cleared his throat.

"Sir, Miss Sinclair is still waiting outside the gates. This is the third time I’ve come to tell you."

Logan exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. "I can’t see her. The arrangement has been made. I can’t take it back now. Tell her to go home."

"The guards already tried, sir. She refused to leave. She’s been standing there for over an hour without moving."

A flicker of something guilt, maybe crossed Logan’s face, but it was gone just as quickly. "Adrian asked for this arrangement as a reward for his achievements. I didn’t want to approve it, but rejecting it would have embarrassed both him and Vivian. They’ve both worked hard."

Victor hesitated before responding. "If we’re talking about true contributions, the Sinclair family has given more than anyone. Cassandra’s father practically built the foundation of this city’s security."

Logan’s jaw tensed. He remembered Hector Sinclair well. When Logan had first entered the world of business, Hector had been one of the few men willing to mentor him. And Cassandra he remembered her, too. As a child, she had been delicate, quiet, always watching from the sidelines. He could still picture her with her fair skin and soft brown eyes, too young to understand the brutal nature of the world she had been born into.

Logan had fought his way to the top, stepping over competition, making ruthless choices. He understood the cost of power. When Adrian requested this marriage, Logan had hesitated. But ultimately, he had granted it. It was a simple business decision.

Besides, aside from his brother the infamous "Ice King" of the financial world there were few people in this city who could handle the level of power Adrian was being given. Cassandra’s father had built an empire, but his absence left gaps Adrian was eager to fill.

Still, Victor was right. In terms of sacrifice and contribution, Cassandra’s family had given far more than Adrian ever had.

Logan sighed. "Fine. Let her in. If she agrees to this arrangement, I’ll grant her whatever she wants. A position. A company. A title. Whatever it takes."

Victor let out a breath. "As always, sir, you know best."