Signed in Blood: The Price of Secrets

Pt~5 1/2 Vague

Lilith's POV

The man was driving me insane. For the past fifteen minutes, he sat on the couch in my office, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings like a ghost revisiting old haunts. "Everything has changed," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Then, as if unable to sit still, he began pacing—from my office to the lobby and back—waiting for me to verify his records. All for the sake of his father.

Mr. Cross had personally requested that I grant him full access to the company.

I flipped through the file Shownu had handed me earlier, my eyes scanning the details of Ronan Cross's background. His ownership of company shares. His management of the U.S. branch. His sudden return.

I glanced up at him, curiosity pricking at the edges of my professional demeanor. "You studied music in the U.S. Why the sudden shift to business?"

He stilled. A flicker of something—annoyance, maybe—crossed his face. "That's in the file?"

"No." I closed the folder, letting it rest against my lap as I watched him. "Your friends told me everything. This file? It only holds the cover stories."

According to the official documents, Ronan had been managing Cross Enterprises abroad. But I knew the real reason he was here—to take control of his late sister Mira's shares.

The room felt heavy, charged with unspoken truths.

Ronan didn't seem concerned about how his reappearance would be perceived. He had no interest in putting on a show for the employees. He didn't want to be here in the first place.

He smirked, a slow, knowing expression curling his lips. "I'm damn sure they didn't tell you the whole story. They only know half of it. Even that much is a mystery to you."

Something in his tone unsettled me.

"What is it, then?" The question slipped out before I could stop it, and I regretted it immediately. I knew better than to pry into the Cross family's business. One misstep could damage my company's reputation.

My phone buzzed. Caleb's name flashed across the screen.

Noah told me you wanted a meeting.

When I looked up, Ronan was gone.

I let out an irritated sigh. I didn't like this man. Not even a little. He was nothing like the professionals I was used to. But he was the son of Mr. Cross. And that meant he was untouchable.

"I need to meet Caleb and Noah now. Shit."

In Adrian and Leo's Office

"Adrian, did you get to kno—"

Leo's words trailed off as Adrian spoke, barely above a whisper. "Ronan."

Leo followed Adrian's gaze, his breath catching at the sight.

"Hey, guys," Ronan greeted, his voice awkward, almost uncertain.

He looked... different. The once-polished, well-mannered Ronan Cross now stood before them covered in ink, tattoos creeping from his arms to his neck. It was hard to imagine him in a corporate setting, let alone representing Cross Enterprises. Rumors would spread. Allegations would follow.

Yet no one knew why Mr. Cross had called him back.

"Oh my god," Ronan muttered as the two men moved toward him.

Years had passed since they had seen each other. Time had pulled them apart, and fate had refused to let them reunite—until now.

"I'm so sorry about Mira," Adrian murmured, pulling Ronan into a tight hug.

A quiet sob escaped from Ronan's lips. Gone was the cocky, unreadable man from earlier. This was someone raw, someone grieving.

Mira had been his anchor. She had been theirs. They had expected him to return after her death. He never did.

Lilith's POV

"Make sure Henry looks into this number," I told Caleb.

He frowned. "Why are you so interested in it?"

"Because this number contacted me the same day I finalized my deal with Cross Enterprises. Very few people knew about it. I want my company to remain intact. Uncompromised. We need to be prepared for any repercussions."

Caleb nodded. "I'll handle it."

Before he could say more, Noah appeared, panting.

"Ronan is with Eric and the others. Come fast, Caleb."

Then he was gone again.

I sighed, shaking my head. "So, he went to see them, huh?"

Caleb and I followed him to the lobby.

"Yeah, Nicolai started working for Mrs. Cross after tha—" Eric's voice trailed off as I approached. Without a word, he backed away.

Caleb, on the other hand, stiffened when he saw Ronan's new appearance. But then, his eyes welled up, and he pulled Ronan into a tight embrace.

"Why weren't you with us when it happened?" Caleb's voice broke, thick with emotion.

Ronan's jaw clenched. "You know exactly why."

I watched the scene unfold, my mind working through the contradictions. The cold, arrogant Ronan I had encountered earlier was beginning to fade, revealing someone different. Someone layered.

But then I remembered his words.

"I'm sure they didn't tell you everything..."

I turned to Noah, elbowing him sharply. "What's his real background?"

Noah hesitated, his expression unreadable. "When the time comes, I'm sure you'll find out... if you should."

My teeth clenched. I had trusted these men, yet even they were keeping secrets from me.

Meanwhile, Ronan straightened, shaking off the last remnants of emotion like shedding a second skin. The sudden shift in his demeanor sent a ripple of unease through his friends.

"Where's Nicolai?" he asked, his voice back to its cool, unreadable tone.

And just like that, the mystery deepened.