Page 8 of Beautiful Lies

“Now we have it.” I look at each of them in turn. “When one door closes, the Vales open another.”

“Real estate,” Dorian says with a crude grin. “The gift that keeps on giving when you already own the world.”

“Indeed.” I nod once, satisfied.

With branches worldwide and a legacy that goes back to the seventeen hundreds, Vale Global is renowned for their expertise in investments and private equity. But we’ve never branched outinto real estate. This will be the first time, and fuck, what an acquisition.

“I’ll set up a meeting with the board as soon as we have that contract.” Dad clasps his hands as if in prayer.

“I’ll let you know the moment it’s in my hands.”

“Perfect. You and Dorian focus on this.” Dad snaps his fingers twice. “Make sure everything goes smoothly.”

“On it,” Dorian replies, glancing my way again. We nod at each other, plans already in motion.

Dad switches his gaze to Locke and Levi. “You two manage the new hedge fund contracts. We’ll reconvene once the plan is underway.”

Now that we’ve spoken, a surge of excitement that I haven’t experienced in years settles over me. It’s the sort of feeling you get when you finally have the chance to do something you’ve always wanted. Or fix something. In my case, it’s both.

I’ve been searching for that landmark opportunity to move the company in another direction. And I’ve been itching to get my hands on the man who set me up. But not in a million years did I expect it to be John Monroe. A man I respected and looked up to for years.

Dad shifts the conversation to other business matters, and the meeting continues for another hour. When it ends, Dad gestures for me to stay behind while my brothers file out.

Dorian glances my way before he leaves. Of all my brothers, he’s the closest to me, so he knows exactly what this new venture means.

Dad zeroes in on me the moment we’re alone. “You did good, Knox.”

“Thanks. Looks like we have some exciting times ahead.”

“We do. But…” His expression shifts to something softer, almost concerned. “How are you feeling about the marriage?”

I wave a hand, dismissing it before the thought can settle. “It’s just another contract, Dad. Nothing more.”

“Perfect. You have the right attitude.” The look he gives me tells me exactly what he’s thinking. Because he did the same thing.

His marriage to Louise, my stepmother, was arranged. Over the last eighteen years, they’ve settled into the role of the power couple. They even had Adaline, my sister, within the same year they married.

My father may have grown to love Louise, but he’s notin lovewith her.

The only woman he ever made the mistake of falling for was my mother, a nasty piece of work who spent my childhood oscillating between cruelty and chaos before abandoning us to run off to Europe with another man.

We don’t talk about her anymore, which is fine by me. As the eldest, I took the sharpest edge of her brutality.

I already hated her, but watching my father rebuild himself from the wreckage she left behind taught me everything I needed to know about the dangers of emotional attachment.

“You don’t have to worry about me.” It’s almost scary how true that is. My plan to marry Isla Monroe is like a no-risk win-win investment.

“While it doesn’t sit well with me that your bride-to-be is the daughter of the man who fucked us over, marrying her to secure her inheritance is a power move that will pay off.” He gives me a sharp stare, tapping a finger on the table.

“Exactly. John Monroe can burn in hell. Nothing makes me happier than knowing I’ve messed with his final plans. He’s not going to screw with me from beyond the grave.”

“No, he most definitely will not.” Dad places a hand on my shoulder, the weight of his expectations settling over me like amantle. “Are you sure you want to tie the restaurant to Vale Global? It’s one hell of an investment.”

“Absolutely. I’ve spent years trying to restore confidence in my name. This is my biggest play. I want you to trust that I can follow in your footsteps.”

He leans back, leveling me with a hard stare. “I’m considering making the move to England next year, so you may be stepping into my shoes sooner than you think.”

My pulse quickens. “Really?”