Page 192 of Morally Black Betrothal

A stack of papers slid my way, topped with the front page of theHerald.

The headline shouted from the page:

BLACKGUARD HEIR’S MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE EXPOSED

Right above a photo of Simone and me.

“There’s no proof of this.” I didn’t even want to touch the papers. They felt dirty. They ruined the one good thing I had left.

“You know, I knew you were stubborn, but I never thought of you as stupid until now,” Dad snapped.

Beside him, Owen barely managed to hide a smile.

“It doesn’t matter if there’s fuckingproof,” Dad continued. “It matters how itlooks. Do you have any fucking clue where our stock is at this morning?”

As it happened, I didn’t. For the first time in twenty years, I hadn’t even bothered to check the exchanges when I woke up. Had no clue how the company was faring under my outgoing stewardship.

It felt fucking great.

“Thirty percent!” Dad’s voice boomed across the room. “We’re down fucking THIRTY. PERCENT!”

Everyone flinched.

Everyone but me.

He didn’t have that power over me anymore, I realized.

He never would again.

“That’s unfortunate,” I said calmly. “But I’m sure we’ll bounce back. It’s a long game, Dad. You taught me that.”

“I taught you that,” he muttered. “I didn’t teach you this, you entitled little shit. And I certainly didn’t teach you to sign away everything that fucking matters for a piece of tail! Or haven’t you met our newest board member? A position inherited, apparently, from his son, who befell a terrible accident last night.”

Everyone turned to where Bas Huntington silently smirked. He nodded toward me. “The Black Prince. Hello.”

I met his gaze evenly. “I’m sorry to hear about the recent tragedy in your family, Huntington. It’s a shame when things like that happen.”

Something in his steely gaze shifted, but he didn’t move. “Indeed.”

We stared at each other for a minute. Maybe five or a hundred. No one spoke. No one even breathed.

It wasn’t until Liza finally cleared her throat and tapped her nails on the paper. “Whoever leaked this had access toconfidential information,” she said. “I think that needs to be our first order of business today.”

I looked at Owen, saw the slight smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, and understood.

“You son of a bitch,” I said softly. “You fucking leaked it.”

“Careful.” His smirk, however, widened. “Regardless of who figured this out, I think that and the fact that you’ve signed away half your holdings makes it more than evident you’re not fit to lead the company.”

I shoved up from my seat, throwing the chair back against the wall. “You were the only one who knew from almost the start, you spineless worm. About the farm, about the arrangement with Simone, about all of it. You’ve been documenting everything, waiting for the right moment to destroy me.”

Liam and Shea both gaped over at Owen.

“Dude,” Liam whispered. “You didn’t.”

“Owen, really?” Shea said.

But there was nothing but satisfaction on my brother’s face as he quirked one eyebrow, then turned to Liza. “It’s time.”