There was anger in his expression, and a trace of concern he probably hadn't even noticed himself. But more than anything, there was the unmistakable air of a man bestowing charity from on high.
"Seraphina, are you done throwing your tantrum?" William sighed, softening his tone in a deliberate display of what he considered tenderness. "I've already had everything online taken down. I know you're upset, but Alma saved my life. Her reputation is in ruins. I can't just stand by and do nothing."
He stepped forward and reached for my hand. I pulled away without a word.
Something dark flickered through his eyes, but he pressed on. "Stephens Group goes public next week. There can't be any scandals right now. All you have to do is swallow your pride and sign over that neuro-degenerative therapy patent to Alma, free of charge. She enters the company as a technical shareholder, restores her reputation, and in return, I guarantee the position of Mrs. Stephens will always be yours."
I stared at the man standing in front of me and almost laughed.
"So you knew the prenatal report was fake. You went along with it anyway, helped her drag my name through the mud, used my child as a bargaining chip, all to force me to hand over the patent and pave the way for your so-called savior?"
William's brow furrowed, irritation creeping into his voice. "Why do you have to twist everything? That patent is wasted sitting in your hands. What's wrong with giving it to Alma? Didn't I just make you that chicken soup you love the other day? Cooked it myself to help with the pregnancy? Seraphina, you matter to me. But I owe Alma my life, and I have to repay that debt. Can you just be reasonable for once?"
"Chicken soup?"
A cold laugh escaped me. He had made that soup before the argument at the hospital. At the time, I'd actually believed he was finally learning to care. I drank most of the pot.
Now the memory made my stomach turn.
"William, you owe her your life. Why should my blood and sweat be the currency you pay it back with?" I pointed at the door. "The patent stays with me. Tomorrow, I'll see you at the courthouse."
"Seraphina!" William's composure shattered completely. "Don't push your luck! Without the Stephens family, you can't even afford to raise that child! I'm giving you one night to think it over. Tomorrow at the Stephens Group IPO gala, I expect you to bring the patent authorization and apologize to Alma in person. Otherwise, you will never see me again."
He slammed the door on his way out.
Quinn emerged from the shadows, his gaze cutting like a blade in the direction William had gone.
"Should I break his leg, Miss Ashford?"
"Not yet." I walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and watched William's car disappear into the night. "Quinn, did you finish looking into how Alma supposedly saved him?"
Quinn handed me a file, the faintest trace of a cold smile at the corner of his mouth. "It's all here. The car accident five years ago was staged. Alma hired people to arrange the whole thing. She barely got a scratch, then faked a disability to guilt-trip William for half a decade."
I took the file and drew a long breath.
William, the debt you're so proud of repaying is nothing but a joke from start to finish.
Tomorrow, I'll make you watch your faith crumble with your own eyes.
The following evening. The InterContinental Hotel, the most luxurious venue in Crestfield.
Stephens Group's IPO gala was in full swing.
The ballroom was packed with the city's elite. William stood on stage in a bespoke suit, radiating confidence, every inch the conquering king.
Alma stood beside him in a stunning evening gown, positioned like the lady of the house, basking in a chorus of flattery.
"Thank you all for joining us at the Stephens Group celebration." William raised his glass with a polished smile. "Tonight, I also have an important announcement. Stephens Group will be acquiring a revolutionary medical patent, and the holder of that patent is none other than Miss Alma Harding, standing right here beside me. Going forward, she will serve as Chief Technology Officer of Stephens Medical Technologies."
