Chapter 9: The Duty Of The Heir (Book 3): Chapter 9

Presley Tower, Wesbury

‘I’m aware of Mariah,’ I say to Leonard as I gaze out the office window, the city sprawling beneath. There’s a sense of finality in each word, a weight that hangs in the air.

‘Do I bring her in on this?’ Leonard’s question comes through the phone, breaking into my thoughts.

‘If she’s willing to be part of this, then yes,’ I respond, the decision echoing with a deeper significance.

Leonard hesitates. ‘This is it, though. We can’t keep adding more to the mix.’

‘Make sure she understands that,’ I press, knowing how crucial clear boundaries are in this delicate balance.

‘Understood,’ he says.

As Lilian knocks and peeks in, I gesture for her to enter, wrapping up my call. ‘Talk later, Leonard.’

I hang up as Lilian steps in, closing the door with a quiet click. She brings with her a different energy, one that slightly shifts the atmosphere.

‘Read the news?’ she asks, a hint of intrigue in her voice.

‘What’s happened?’ I stand, my interest piqued.

‘Stocks are up,’ she announces, and a part of me feels a surge of unexpected relief.

‘Since when?’ The cautious side of me needs to know.

‘Just this morning,’ she informs me, and I nod, processing this.

‘That’s good, but we have to stay vigilant. The market’s unpredictable,’ I remind her, a reminder to myself as well.

‘Why was I expecting a downturn?’ I ponder out loud, questioning my instincts.

‘We thought the panic would cause it,’ she explains, her tone suggesting surprise at the turn of events.

‘Exactly,’ I agree, feeling a mix of relief and confusion.

She smiles, heading for the door. ‘Looks like they outsmarted you this time, Presley.’

I can’t help but laugh, a brief moment of amusement amidst the chaos. ‘Joining us for lunch?’ she asks.

‘No, I’ll stay back,’ I decline, my mind already turning back to my work.

‘Sure about that?’ she lingers at the door.

‘I’m good,’ I assure her, my focus already shifting.

‘Alright then, see you later,’ she says and leaves.

Not long after that I’m alone again, left with my thoughts. I pick up the phone, dialing another number, my mind still spinning with the stock market news and thoughts of Simone.

Yes, Simone.