Chapter 109. Engagement (1)

Andre's POV

The sun was barely up when I stepped into my office, the usual clean scent of polished wood and burnt coffee waiting to greet me. The city below buzzed faintly, but up here, I was surrounded by silence—the kind that reminded you how quickly power can slip through your fingers.

A week ago, I thought I had it all under control.

I had given out keys, signed off on "thank you" packages from the safe—stock options, property shares, overseas luxury items. You name it. Stanley executed the plan with precision. We knew exactly which board members to target—the ones with weak spots, with pressure points you could exploit. I trusted that money would talk louder.

But I underestimated the old man.

Turns out, my father had his claws deeper in them than I thought. I had no one on my side.

Not one.

Stanley had given me the update with a grim face two nights ago, while Vanessa lay asleep in our bed upstairs. I remember looking a