"Okay," Mia said stiffly.
"What?" Acacia snapped.
"Gladly," Seron replied, already stepping forward.
Perfect, he thought. I'll have her wrapped around my finger like always.
"Right this way, love," Seron said smoothly. Ruby stopped and turned to him, her expression cool. "I'm not your love," she said. "It's Mrs. Maximilian Byron." Seron only smiled it off.
"Everyone, back to work," Samuel ordered, following them down the hall. They stepped into the office that once belonged to Max. Ruby slowed.
She had seen Seron's office before, thought it impressive once. This was something else entirely. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Dark wood. Power etched into every detail.
Samuel walked in behind them. "Come in. This is Nancy. She'll be one of your assistants."
"Nice to meet you, ma'am," Nancy said warmly. "May I take your coat and purse?"
"Thank you," Ruby replied, handing them over without breaking eye contact with Seron. Seron poured himself a glass of whiskey, completely unbothered.
Ruby arched a brow. "Drinking on the job already? Interesting. Keep it up—it'll make it easier for me to fire you." Seron laughed and took a sip.
"You can't fire me, baby. What is this?" he said, stepping closer. "Some new trick to get my attention? Fine. You have it. Now stop this before you really make me angry."
He spoke to her like she was still his wife. Like she still belonged to him. Ruby laughed. Not nervous. Not soft. She laughed like someone who had already won.
"You're still drunk on your own ego, Mr. Byron," Ruby said coolly. "Speak to me with respect. I'm your father's wife now."
Seron stiffened.
"Get your attention?" she continued, unimpressed. "Please. I've spent hours asking myself what I was even doing with you for seven years."
She stepped closer, her voice dropping just enough to sting.
"And since we're being honest, he's better in bed than you. Much better.
Apparently, he's better at everything."
Seron's jaw clenched. "So when you combine that with the fact that you're a quick, no, let me correct that, incompetent, it really doesn't matter which word I use. They both apply. Your fragile ego just makes this easier."
"That's enough, Ruby," Seron snapped, barely holding himself together. "How did you meet my father? What did you tell him? You're pushing me, and you know you don't want that. Stop this now, and maybe I'll forgive you."
The door opened.
"Listen—" Acacia began. Ruby turned sharply.
"Did I say you could come in?" Acacia froze.
"Seron, I just came to tell you everyone's waiting in the conference room. You too… and her," she said carefully. "Step the fuck out," Ruby said flatly.
"What?" Acacia asked, instinctively looking to Seron to defend her.
Ruby didn't raise her voice."What part of step the fuck out is confusing?" she repeated. "It's really quite simple." Samuel stepped forward, his presence silent but firm.
Acacia's lips trembled with anger. She shot Ruby a glare, then backed away and left without another word.
The door shut. And the room belonged to Ruby..
"Are you done?" Seron asked, his voice tight, wounded despite himself.
Ruby met his eyes calmly. "I'm only beginning."
Seron laughed bitterly. "You see, Ruby, don't test me."
His jaw clenched as he turned and stormed out.
The door slammed.
Samuel exhaled slowly. "Well… that went well."
Ruby didn't even blink. "No. Not at all." She picked up a file from the desk. "That was nothing."
Seron paced his office like a caged animal, rage boiling over. He stabbed at his phone, calling his father again.
Straight to voicemail. His hands trembled as he dragged them through his hair. "Damn it!"
Across the city, Max sat comfortably at home, one leg crossed over the other, a tablet balanced in his hand. The live feed played exactly as he'd anticipated.
Right on cue, Seron snapped. Max watched as Seron made a call, his expression dark, desperate.
A faint smile tugged at Max's lips. Just as expected. Seron's voice came through the speakers, low and urgent. "I think we need to move fast."
The call ended.
Max set the tablet down calmly and reached for his phone. "Trace that number," he said coolly. "Now." The game had officially begun.
—
The boardroom buzzed with restless energy. Chairs scraped. Papers rustled. No one was actually working.
"Well," Mia snapped, breaking the silence, "somebody better tell me something."
Malvin leaned back in his chair. "Maybe we should go to your place later and talk this through properly."
"I would agree," one board member said quickly.
"So would I," another added.
Mia's eyes flashed. She turned sharply to Malvin. "How the hell did you let this happen?" Malvin straightened. "Because I didn't know."
"That's convenient," Mia shot back.
"I'm serious," he said, irritation creeping into his voice. "I found out this morning—same time as everyone else."
Mia folded her arms. "Then I want answers. Who is she? And why the hell is she suddenly our boss?"
Malvin sighed. "She's his wife. Max can appoint whoever he wants as CEO."
Mia scoffed. "Even someone who doesn't know what the job means? Or how to spell CEO?" A low murmur rippled through the room. Faces tightened. Eyes shifted.
They had all assumed Seron was next in line. They had made deals with him. Planned with him. Protected themselves through him. Now everything felt… unstable.
"I've seen her somewhere before," one of the directors said slowly. "Where?" another asked. "I don't know. But I have." The door opened.
Acacia walked in, heels clicking sharply against the floor. "She's Ruby Emerald," she said coolly. "Seron's ex-wife." A few gasps filled the room.
"Oh," Mia said slowly. "That Ruby." She laughed once, dry and humorless. "So she leaves the son and marries the father. This is twisted."
"And dangerous," one director muttered. Mia nodded. "Messy. And I smell trouble."
Acacia crossed her arms, forcing a smile. "Please. Ruby is a dog with no teeth. She's only doing this because Seron chose me."
No one responded. Not because they agreed, but because, for the first time that morning, none of them was sure she was right.
"How long does this girl expect me to sit here waiting for her?" Mia snapped. "Why don't you just sit and relax?" one of the board members suggested carefully. "You know damn well I don't do that," Mia replied, already rising from her chair.
"Perhaps I can go check for her," Malvin offered. Mia shot him a sideways glance.
"Your hips may swing faster than mine, Malvin, but I'm still more of a man than you are." She walked out without waiting for a response.
Behind her, Acacia stood rigid, fury burning in her eyes. Even the passion she'd shared with Seron an hour ago hadn't been enough to keep him wrapped around her finger. He had stood there, silent, while Ruby humiliated her. And that burned far worse.
Mia strode into the executive office. Ruby and Samuel were mid-conversation. "Excuse me," Ruby said calmly, not even looking up. "I'm in a meeting right now."
"Well, actually, dear," Mia replied tightly, "the meeting is down the hall. And everyone is waiting for you."
"And excuse me," Ruby said, finally lifting her gaze, "I said I'm in a meeting right now."
She turned slightly. "Samuel, go to the meeting." Mia snapped her fingers. "Samuel."
He didn't move. Mia's jaw tightened. "I have a very full day, and I don't have time for this drama, young lady. You need to get to that meeting." Ruby tilted her head. "So… you're trying me too?"
Mia laughed once, sharp and humorless. "I'm sorry, we haven't officially met. I'm Mia Byron. The original Byron." She stepped closer, her voice lowering. "And originals are foundations. Foundations hold everything up. When they crack, the entire structure collapses."
She smiled thinly. "You're making me unstable. And that's a dangerous place to put me, little girl. I know where all the bodies are buried. I know how people disappear. This little fantasy life you think you've stepped into? I can reduce it to ashes."
She paused, eyes hard. "So. Let's start again. I'm Mia. And I'm here for a meeting." Ruby stared at her. Then she laughed. A soft, amused sound. Mia frowned. "Something funny, dear?"
"Oh, very," Ruby replied.
"And what would that be?"
"My husband—"
"My what?" Mia interrupted sharply.
"My husband," Ruby repeated smoothly. "Said I can do whatever I want." Samuel couldn't help it, his lips twitched. No one had ever spoken to Mia Byron like this. Mia leaned in. "Careful, little girl."
Ruby gestured calmly toward the door. "Ah yes. Careful. Now you can leave. I'll join the meeting when I'm ready."
The room went silent. Mia stared at her, shock flickering behind the rage. Then she turned, furious and walked out. Samuel exhaled slowly. He was starting to really like the new Mrs. Byron.
Ruby made a grand entrance into the boardroom. Every conversation died instantly. She stopped just inside the door, eyes sweeping the room once calm, controlled, unbothered.
Then she frowned slightly. "This is a board meeting," Ruby said coolly. "Why is she here?"
All eyes shifted to Acacia. "I'm the company's PR," Acacia replied stiffly. "So?" Ruby asked, unimpressed. "And Seron's assistant," Acacia added quickly. "And his fiancée."
"Oh." Ruby nodded slowly. "I understand assistant. Fiancée… but PR we'll discuss that later."
She took her seat at the head of the table. "For now," Ruby continued, "we'll work with you being his assistant. Kindly get me a glass of water."
The room went still. "I—" Acacia started.
"You work for Seron," Ruby cut in smoothly. "And Seron works for me. So be useful and get your boss some water. Thank you."
Acacia's hands clenched at her sides, fury flashing across her face, but she turned and walked away. Seron stared at the table. Ruby turned to the board as if nothing had happened.
"So," she said pleasantly, "let's begin." One of the board members cleared his throat. "Welcome, Mrs. Byron. We're… very excited to have you lead the company. Mr. Byron asked us to prepare a full overview of the company's current state. Would you like to start there?"
"Sure," Ruby replied. "Let's do it." Acacia returned with the water, jaw tight. As she leaned forward to pour it, her wrist twisted too deliberately.
Ruby caught the glass instantly.
Water splashed not on Ruby but straight down Acacia's dress. Gasps filled the room. Ruby placed the glass calmly on the table.
"You should fire her," Ruby said casually to Seron. "She can't even serve water properly."
Seron's jaw tightened. "Enough," he muttered. Ruby smiled faintly. "Oh, go on."
The board shifted uncomfortably. One director cleared his throat. "Okay… great. Let's move on. We'll start with the company's vision for this year." "No," Ruby said. The word landed like a gavel.
"We start with the financials." The projector changed slides. Ruby leaned forward, scanning the figures.
"Seventy-five percent of our marketing budget goes to outdated physical channels," she said. "We're moving it to online platforms."
A few directors exchanged looks.
"That increases visibility by eighty-two percent," Ruby continued calmly, "and cuts operating costs by seven-point-two million dollars annually."
Silence. "We take the twenty-two million saved and immediately pay down supplier debt."
She looked up. "Who approved nineteen percent interest rates?" Ruby asked. "That's not aggressive, that's careless."
No one spoke. Ruby turned her gaze to one man.
"The CFO," she said. "Fire them."
The board froze. Seron looked up sharply. "You can't just—"
"Yes, I can," Ruby interrupted, her tone flat.
"And I just did."
She leaned back in her chair. "Now," she said, "let's talk about how we're going to fix the damage you've all been ignoring." No one breathed.