The Devil's Contractual Bride-Chapter 34: A Unknown Enemy

Lucian’s POV

Aria’s words had gotten into my skull and although I didn’t know the full story behind what transpired between them, the pain in her voice when she said it told me everything I needed to know. Ethan had already destroyed one empire that belonged to her and he wasn’t getting mine.

I left the penthouse more determined than ever. Slightly running,I stepped into the garage and slid behind the wheel of the black Audi myself tonight.

Everything I had worked for was slipping away and I needed to be in control of something.

I made myself a promise out loud as I drove out"I won’t let you down, Aria. No matter what it might cost me."

I fished my phone from the center console and hit Margaret’s number.

"Mr. Voss?" Her voice was cautious, almost hushed.

"Meet me at Roots Café in thirty minutes. I’m already on my way."

"Alright,I’ll be there."she responded, ending the call

I floored the accelerator, driving at the highest speed limit,not necessarily because I needed to but to help keep my mind away from spiraling.

Roots Café sat tucked between a pharmacy and a shuttered boutique on a quiet side street in Midway county.

The Cafe was overly eccentric,adorned with dim lights and the smell of strong coffee drifting out every time the door opened. Margaret was already there when I walked in,seated at the farthest corner table with large dark sunglasses perched on her nose even though it was close to midnight and the place was half-empty.

She looked ridiculous and terrified.

I sat at the seat across from her"Margaret."

"Lucian." She kept the glasses on, fingers twisting the handle of her teacup. "You look like hell."

"I feel like it." I leaned forward. "Talk Margaret,I have to get back to my wife."

She spoke with a voice barely above a whisper. "I’ll be quick. I don’t know why you insisted on the prior notice and the two-week extension. If you think that buys you time to flip the other directors to your side, you’re mistaken because the votes are locked."

"What are you saying Margaret?"

"Your fight isn’t with Ethan Caldwell," she continued, eyes darting toward the door. "He’s just the guy bankrolling your main opponent.The one really pulling strings,and has been quietly buying proxies for months is Victor Hargrove."

That name was the last time I expected to hear.

Victor?

My father’s oldest friend and mentor after my parents funeral. The man who’d taught me how to read a balance sheet and to even stare down a hostile takeover without blinking.

Margaret removed the sunglasses. Her eyes were actively alert searching the room. "Victor approached me a month ago saying the company needed ’new blood,’ that you were too emotional and distracted after your wedding. He offered me a seat on the new board if I helped him push the vote through quietly. I said no but others didn’t."

I felt the blood drain from my face, then rush back in a hot wave.

"And why am I supposed to trust you,you were in that board meeting like everyone else?" I asked.

"Thats besides the point.I owe your father everything and if Victor wins, he’ll gut the company for parts. Victor wants control total control of everything."

I stood abruptly, chair scraping. "Thank you, Margaret. If what you’re saying is true, I know exactly what to do."

"Lucian—"

I was already moving toward the door.

I strode to the Audi, slid in, slammed the door.My hands shook on the wheel thinking about what I just heard.

I knew Victor was greedy but I didn’t know him to be this sneaky or compromised.

I pulled out my phone again and this time I dialed a number I hadn’t used in over two years.

A gravelly voice answered immediately. "Boss."

"Mike. I need you to pick up one of my company directors,Victor Hargrove. His residence in Old Shepherd quarters, house no.9. Make it quiet and bring him to the Warehouse at Northbridge now."

There was a short pause,then he spoke. "Alive?"

"Yes Mike."

"On it."

I ended the call,started the car engine and roared Northbridge .

I got to the warehouse in less than twenty minutes.The warehouses loomed like giants in the dark,there were seven of them but the one at the extreme was used for my private businesses.

I parked in the shadows, killed the lights, and waited inside the car with the engine off. The dashboard clock ticked past 12 a.m., then twelve-thirty.

Headlights finally swept the lot,a black van pulled up and Mike stepped out first expressionless. He opened the back door,two men dragged Victor’s struggling figure out,his hands zip-tied behind his back, black hood over his head.

They marched him inside and I followed.

The warehouse smelled of rust and old tin containers,a single hanging bulb cast harsh light over the center. They forced Victor into a metal chair bolted to the floor.

"Leave us," I told them.

Mike nodded. The three men walked out, doors clanging shut behind them.

I stepped into the light.

Victor’s breathing was ragged under the hood.I reached down, gripped the fabric, and yanked it off.

"Lucian?" His voice screeched immediately he saw me. "What the hell is this?"

I crouched in front of him, elbows on knees so I could meet his gaze level.

"You look surprised, Victor."

"Of course I’m surprised! Untie me. This is insane—"

"You’ve been buying proxies behind my back," I said quietly. "Using Ethan as your errand boy and planning to vote me out. After everything my father and I did for you?."

His mouth opened, then closed. "It’s business, Lucian. It’s nothing personal. The board felt—"

"Business?" I laughed. "You helped raise me.For crying out loud,you stood at his funeral and told me you’d always have my back and now you’re selling me out to a man who tried to murder my wife and killed my child."

Victor flinched like I’d struck him.

"I didn’t know about the accident," he whispered. "I swear. Ethan said—"

"Save it." I stood slowly. "You thought I was weak,distracted and emotional so you took the opportunity to try and steal my company."

I took a minute to breathe,the whole thing was getting to me and if I didn’t control myself, I might just smash his head into the wall.

"I have let you all ride over me for a while now but I think it’s high time to show you just how cruel I can be and that I don’t fuck with traitors."

His eyes widened in fear.

I turned toward the door.

"Where are you going?" he called, voice rising. "Lucian—wait!"

I paused, hand on the latch.

"This is just the beginning Victor. There is no need to panic yet" I said without looking back.