Page 25 of The Silent War

“But not for long,” Corvin added. “Once your name is filed through dynasty records, all associated control transfers to you. Fully.”

“Jesus,” I whispered.

They let the silence settle.

Let me spiral inside it.

“You’re going to become a target,” Rowan said plainly. “Every family looking to increase eastern leverage will come for you. Either through marriage, manipulation, or worse.”

I stared down at the contract, my vision going blurry for a moment.

I wasn’t ready for this.

I wasn’ttrainedfor this.

I’d spent my life at charity galas and press appearances, not international war tables. Not on blood-soaked docks or encrypted black route meetings in Estalia. I didn’t know the politics of the Accord, or the handlers stationed at each checkpoint.

I barely knew how to speak in a boardroom like this, let alone defend myself from a trade war I hadn’t asked to lead.

“I can’t… You can’t just drop this on me and expect me to survive it.”

Corvin’s eyes softened, just a shade. “No one expects you to be ready. Only to understand what’s been placed in your hands.”

“I don’t want it.”

“That doesn’t matter now.”

I pushed the folder away, but my hand shook too hard to make the gesture look like anything but a girl falling apart.

I saw it.

They saw it.

“You are the first woman in twelve generations to carry the Adams name in ownership,” Marcus said. “Your father knew exactly what he was doing.”

My throat burned.

He hadn’t just passed on a legacy.

He’d handed me a target. Wrapped in ink and law, dressed in the illusion of power. Something too large for a girl like me to carry.

“The Accord’s management will remain under our stewardship,” Corvin said, his voice a degree softer now, “until you request otherwise.”

That landed like a mercy and a warning in the same breath.

“You can step into control when you’re ready,” Marcus added. “But dynasty law now recognizes you as the legal holder of the route.”

I didn’t respond.

Couldn’t.

Because ready was a word that felt centuries away.

“And Emilia—” Corvin leaned forward, the edge of finality settling into his tone. “By tonight, the registry will update. Thename Emilia V. Adams XII will appear in the international dynasty bulletin.”

My stomach turned.

“That means?—?”