Heir of Deception | (for mature audience)

Chapter 28: Christian

Christian

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The moment draws near when I must solidify the site for Calloway Properties' ambitious new project, a venture intricately tied to the land owned by Alexandria's father.  They have given me a mere three weeks-three unforgiving weeks-to secure this critical piece of ground or choose another site, all under the guise of launching construction and navigating the tangled web of permits.

As I board the plane to LA, my heart feels like lead, burdened by a tumultuous mix of dread and unyielding determination. I am about to face Anthony Carter, a man I have come to loathe, yet I find myself inexorably drawn into this high-stakes negotiation. The cost of this transaction looms large in my mind, but I am prepared to sacrifice everything to make it happen. The last time I confronted him about the land, he reveled in his power like a tyrant, and I know that this encounter will be no different.

Upon arriving at his office, I'm met with the disheartening sight of him lounging in his chair, exuding arrogance, a smug grin plastered across his face as if he revels in the control he holds over me.

"So, what do I owe the pleasure of this visit on such a fine day, Mr. Callaway?" he drawls, his tone dripping with condescension. I roll my eyes, struggling to suppress the urge to unleash my frustration, my fists clenching involuntarily.

The only redeeming quality of this man is his daughter, Alexandria-my future wife. She is the singular bright spot in this otherwise murky existence, a beacon of hope amidst the shadows of my business dealings.

"I need you to sign off on the land, Anthony," I state firmly, my voice steady as I take a seat across from him, steeling myself against the confrontation.

"You know the contract stipulates that you must be married to acquire the land, Mr. Callaway," he shoots back, that infuriating smile still plastered across his face, like a predator toying with its prey.

"I am going to marry Alexandria; it's happening in less than three months," I assert, fighting to keep my frustration at bay, my heart pounding in my chest like a war drum.

"But if I sign over the land, who's to say you won't just turn your back on my daughter?" he counters, and I begrudgingly concede the validity of his question, the truth of it stinging like a slap.

"I'm already in too deep; I would never do that to her... I-" The words "I love her" claw at my throat, desperate to escape, but I choke them down, fighting against the vulnerability threatening to overwhelm me. "I'm not a monster," I manage to say, my voice steady yet strained, as if I'm trying to convince myself as much as him.

It has been two agonizing weeks since she confessed her love for me, and my silence in response has haunted me more than I care to admit. The memory of her hurt expression when I failed to reciprocate is etched in my mind, a painful reminder of my inadequacies. I can only hope she understands where my heart truly lies, and that it beats only for her.

"You've done worse things for business, Christian. Leaving my daughter at the altar wouldn't even begin to compare to the depths you've sunk before," he laughs, a chilling sound that sends a shiver down my spine, a reminder of the darkness that lurks in my past.

"I've made mistakes, yes, but I refuse to humiliate an innocent woman, especially not Alexandria," I reply, my voice firm, anchored in sincerity. I mean every word, the weight of my convictions heavy on my shoulders.

"And I'm supposed to believe you?" he asks, skepticism woven into his tone, his eyes narrowing like a hawk sizing up its prey.

"Name your fucking price," I snap, my patience fraying at the edges. I'm weary of this game, the stakes too high to continue dancing around the truth.

"I want Alexandria to be the brand ambassador for Carter & Co," he declares, a calculated glint in his eye that sends alarm bells ringing in my mind.

"Why now? You had countless opportunities to do that before," I challenge him, confusion and anger bubbling to the surface, a toxic mix that threatens to boil over.

"Simple. She didn't have the influence she has now-thanks to you. Your family name will soon be attached to hers, and that will launch Carter & Co to an even wider market," he explains, his voice smooth as silk, yet laden with ulterior motives, like poison hidden in a sweet drink.

"So you're just using your daughter?" I ask, incredulity lacing my words, the very idea making my blood boil.

"It's just business," he replies with a smirk that could curdle milk, a devilish glint in his eye.

"That's for her to decide, not me," I retort, grounding myself in my principles, though doubt gnaws at the edges of my resolve.

"Yeah, and if she makes the wrong decision, you might find yourself married to her and still unable to build your new luxury apartment complex," he shoots back, a cruel smirk still playing on his lips, a taunt that hangs in the air like a noose.

In that moment, the stakes feel higher than ever. The weight of my choices hangs over me like a storm cloud, and I can't shake the feeling that this confrontation could change everything.

"Reach out to her agent, and I'll try to convince her to take the job," I say, the words tasting bitter on my tongue, but I know I must tread carefully.