Chapter 1
Liam
Sometimes, I wish I could replace my father. It sounds outrageous, but the thought lingers, especially when he’s the root of most of my frustrations. To me, he’s not just a father, he’s an obstacle, constantly pushing, demanding, and meddling in my life.
I’ve tried reasoning with him more times than I care to count. Each time, I’ve made promises: I’ll give him the heir he so desperately craves. I’ve tried, and I’m still trying. Yet Maria and Christy, the women I thought would solve this issue, have failed me. It feels like pouring water into a broken bucket—futile and exhausting.
But my father? He won’t relent.
“All we want from you, honey,” my mother interjected, her voice soft but insistent, “is an heir. If you don’t mind, I can help you find a good girl—”
“You will not do anything of the sort, Mother,” I interrupted firmly. “You know how things ended last time. I have to handle this myself.”
“Then do the right thing, or else,” my father snapped, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. He rose abruptly from his chair, towering over me with a glare that spoke volumes. “You have one year, Liam. One year to give me a successor. Fail, and I’ll leave everything, my wealth, my estate to the company employees. Mark my words.”
“Is that a threat?” I stood, meeting his fiery gaze with my own.
“It’s a warning,” he said coldly before storming out of the room. My mother quickly followed, leaving me alone at the table, simmering with frustration.
I knew they’d conspired together, but I refused to let their tactics control me. I’m not a puppet. I’ve made my decision. I will never marry. And no one can change that.
Outside my parents’ sprawling estate, my new Rolls Royce Rose Noire Droptail gleamed under the setting sun. Thomas, my bodyguard, opened the door for me, and I slid into the back seat.
“Where to, sir?” Tyler, my driver, asked as he settled into his seat.
I hesitated, thinking. “Take me to my women,” I said finally.
My father’s threats weren’t empty. If I didn’t act now, he’d follow through on every word. I couldn’t let that happen, not for my sake, but for the future of my children. His wealth didn’t matter to me; I had built enough of my own. But my children deserved everything.
As the car weaved through the bustling city streets, I stared out the window, deep in thought. How could I fix this? My mind raced, grasping at solutions, but nothing seemed concrete. I closed my eyes, seeking clarity, and then, like a sudden burst of light, an idea struck me.
“We’re here, sir,” Thomas said, snapping me out of my reverie. He opened the door, and I stepped out, striding toward the mansion where Maria and Christy lived.
Inside, the silence was unsettling. No maids greeted me, and the usually vibrant house felt lifeless. Dismissing the unease, I climbed the stairs, ready to share my plan with them. But as I neared Christy’s room, muffled sounds caught my attention, groans and moans.
At first, I assumed they were... indulging themselves. But when I opened the door, the scene that greeted me was far from what I expected.
Two men, strangers, were in the room with Maria and Christy, having sex. My anger surged like a tidal wave.
“What the hell is going on here?” I roared.
The men scrambled, fleeing like frightened rats. Maria and Christy, drenched in sweat and shame, stood frozen.
“I have nothing more to say to either of you,” I said coldly. “You have two weeks to vacate this house. That’s all I’ll give you.”
I turned and walked away, expecting them to run after me, to beg for forgiveness. But they didn’t. Their silence cut deeper than any apology could.
Outside, my men had apprehended the two intruders. As I approached, I saw the fear in their eyes. They were nothing more than hired gigolos, paid for their services.
“Let them go,” I ordered. They bolted without a second glance.
“Take me to the office,” I instructed, sliding back into the car. I needed to refocus, to redirect my energy into something productive.
The drive to my office took two hours, giving me ample time to process everything. By the time we arrived, I was calmer, though the sting of betrayal lingered.
Inside the sleek lobby of my office building, employees greeted me politely as I strode past. The elevator whisked me to the 20th floor, where my assistant, David, was already waiting outside my office.
“What have you got for me?” I asked as he fell into step beside me.
“We’ve scheduled the interviews for the assistant you requested,” he said briskly. “And we’ve also shortlisted ten candidates for the other interview.”
“Good.”
I entered my spacious office, the city skyline glinting through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Hanging my suit jacket on the rack, I turned back to David.
“What time are the interviews scheduled for?”
“The assistant interviews are at 9 a.m. sharp. As for the other candidates, their interviews are at 8 a.m. We wanted to test their punctuality,” he explained, earning a nod of approval from me.
“Perfect. Let’s see if this day brings better results than the last.”
As he left, I sank into my chair, gazing out at the sprawling city below. My father’s ultimatum loomed over me like a dark cloud, but I refused to let it define me. This wasn’t just about legacy or power. it was about proving to myself that I could rise above the chaos, no matter what challenges came my way.
