Julian walked down the long, dimly lit corridor of the main estate and pushed open the heavy double doors to Conway's study. The mocking smirk he wore in the bridal suite vanished instantly. He straightened his posture and lowered his head in a show of respect. Behind the mask of submission, a flicker of deep-seated resentment burned in Julian's eyes. He hated the absolute power his uncle held over him, but he knew better than to show it.
Conway sat in his high-backed leather chair. He did not turn around. His eyes remained fixed on the monitor, where the image of Diana curled up on the carpet was paused.
"Good performance," Conway said. His voice was a low, flat rumble that carried no emotion. "Whose perfume was it?"
Julian relaxed slightly and shrugged his shoulders. "Some model I found at the bar. I needed her to believe I just rolled out of someone else's bed, exactly as you instructed."
Conway reached forward and pressed a button. The monitor went black. He slowly turned his chair to face his nephew. His cold, calculating gaze swept over Julian.
"She looks like she has more backbone than her sister," Conway noted.
Julian let out a short, dismissive scoff. "Backbone? She is just here for the money. She still asked about the family funds at the end."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Conway's eyes narrowed. "She is fulfilling a transaction. You, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy playing your part a little too much."
Julian swallowed hard. The muscles in his neck tightened. "Of course not, Uncle. I am just helping you get my grandfather off your back."
A sharp knock on the study door interrupted them. Mrs. Holloway, the head housekeeper, stepped into the room.
"Mr. Theodore Maxwell Sr. has arrived," she announced.
Conway and Julian exchanged a quick look. The muscle in Conway's jaw ticked. This was a variable he had not planned for.
Heavy, uneven footsteps echoed in the hallway. Theodore Sr. walked into the study. He was an elderly man, but his presence filled the room. He leaned heavily on a silver-handled cane, his sharp eyes darting between the two men.
"I heard the Atkins family sent Diana, not Janessa Walsh," Theodore said, his voice raspy but commanding.
Conway remained seated. His expression was completely blank. "Yes. It is a fraud. This gives us the perfect legal ground to cancel the marriage immediately."
Theodore lifted his cane and slammed the rubber tip hard against the hardwood floor. The sound cracked like a whip. "Cancel it? The Maxwell Group's stock price went up three percent today because of this union. You will not cancel anything."
He walked closer, pointing a weathered finger at Conway. "I do not care who they sent. As long as her last name is Atkins, she is your wife."
Conway stood up. He was a full head taller than his grandfather. The physical space between them crackled with tension. "I will not accept a replacement."
Theodore let out a dry, rattling laugh. "You just do not want to accept any wife. Conway, is there something wrong with you? Still thinking about Janessa Walsh, are you? You would rather live with a ghost of a runaway bride than a real woman. This family needs an heir, not a memorial service!"
Julian stood in the corner, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. He kept his eyes glued to the floor.
Conway's face turned to stone. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the edge of his desk. "I do not have a problem," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I simply refuse to be managed."
"Then consider this a challenge," Theodore countered. "You stay married to her. You give me an heir. Do that, and I will hand over my final veto power on the board of directors to you."
Conway's grip on the desk loosened slightly. The veto power. It was the one thing keeping him from total control of the empire. It was an offer he could not refuse.
Theodore turned his sharp gaze to Julian. "From now on, you move back into the manor. But you stay away from your 'wife'. I will send people to facilitate their relationship."
The old man turned back to Conway. "And you. As Julian's uncle, it is your duty to guide him on how to manage a marriage. I expect you to interact with your niece-in-law frequently."
Conway's eyes flickered. The command handed him the perfect cover. It gave him an undeniable, family-sanctioned reason to stay close to Diana and watch her every move without revealing his true identity.
Theodore saw the calculation in Conway's eyes and smiled in satisfaction. The old man firmly believed that Conway's resistance to women was due to his lingering obsession with Janessa. He thought his aggressive push was exactly what his grandson needed.
Theodore turned and walked out of the study, his cane thumping rhythmically against the floor.
Once the heavy doors closed, Julian let out a long breath. "Grandfather is playing for keeps. Uncle, your status as the 'uncle' is officially certified now."
Conway ignored the comment. He walked to the window and looked out at the dark courtyard. His mind was already moving the pieces on the board. He wanted to see exactly how long this Diana woman could survive under the crushing weight of the Maxwell family.
