Chapter 93. Love Is Not Enough

Andre's POV

"You want her to lie? To play the villain? To take the fall for my actions? She's done nothing wrong!" I argued, my tone rising more than intended.

My father looked at me, eyes hard, warning. "Andre. Control yourself."

It was the same tone he'd used when I was a child throwing tantrums at formal dinners. The tone that said, "You're embarrassing me." I'd spent a lifetime working so hard, trying not to hear that tone. Not anymore.

"Don't." I pointed at him, finger steady despite the tremor of anger coursing through me. "Don't give me that. I did everything you ever asked. I wore the suits. Gave the speeches. Built this company when you were too damn tired to carry on. I made this empire run."

For a moment, something flickered across his face. Recognition? Regret? But it was gone before I could be sure, replaced by the stony resolve I knew so well.

"And now you're going to burn it down for a girl?" one of the board member