Chapter 12 – Blood Ties and Boardrooms
Elara sat at her desk, the flash drive Liam had given her still untouched, glowing faintly beneath the harsh light of her office. It felt like a curse—small, unassuming, but packed with the kind of truth that could shatter the last foundation she thought she had left.
Her father.
Her hero. Her anchor.
Now a link in Monroe's criminal chain?
She took a breath and slid the drive into her laptop.
The files opened with a click.
Invoices. Contracts. Photos.
Her father, Gregory Vale, smiling next to Monroe at a corporate retreat in Dubai. A signed agreement bearing his name—under a Monroe Enterprises shell company. Transfers into offshore accounts.
And then… emails.
Her father had warned Monroe about Damian.
Years ago.
"The kid's dangerous. He doesn't bend. Might be better to cut him out now before he becomes a threat."
Elara's vision blurred.
The man who taught her loyalty had sold it for money.
Damian found her an hour later, slumped in the corner of the office, arms wrapped around herself.
He didn't ask what was wrong. He'd already read the files.
"He did it for your mother," he said softly.
Elara looked up. "What?"
"Gregory Vale's medical bills. Your mother had an experimental treatment for Stage IV lymphoma ten years ago. Monroe paid for it—under the condition your father stayed loyal."
Her lips trembled. "She died anyway."
"I know."
He crouched in front of her.
"Your father chose the wrong side. But I don't think he ever stopped trying to protect you."
She shook her head. "He betrayed everything he believed in."
Damian's voice dropped. "Then use it."
She stared at him.
"Use the information," he said. "Turn the guilt into leverage. Into power."
Elara clenched her fists. "I don't want power. I want peace."
He leaned in closer.
"Then fight for it."
The next morning, Elara walked into the VossTech boardroom with purpose.
Every seat was filled—directors, executives, shareholders. Rumors had started swirling after Juliette's leak. Whispers of instability. People feared Monroe would move again—and this time, from the inside.
Elara stood at the head of the table.
"I know many of you are wondering if the CEO's wife is here to speak for him," she began. "I'm not."
The room went still.
"I'm here to speak for this company. And for myself."
She clicked the remote in her hand.
The screen behind her lit up with Monroe's latest attempt at sabotage—emails, payment trails, and proposed bribes to VossTech insiders.
"Let me be clear," she said. "We are not afraid. We are not vulnerable. And I'm not just some accessory to Damian Voss."
Her voice sharpened.
"I'm the woman who exposed Monroe. The woman who survived his pawn. And the woman who's going to make sure this company doesn't just recover—but rises."
One of the older board members raised a hand. "Ms. Vale—"
"Mrs. Voss," she corrected with a smile. "And yes?"
The man cleared his throat. "If what you say is true, we'll need a strategic countermeasure. One that secures the upcoming product launch and rallies investor confidence."
She nodded. "Already handled. The internal security team has been restructured. Data has been compartmentalized. And all future board sessions will include me as co-chair."
There was a pause.
Then quiet clapping.
It spread.
Damian stood behind the glass, watching through the observation panel.
And for the first time in a long time, he let himself feel something close to pride.
That evening, Elara sat at the edge of their massive bed, unzipping her heels. She was exhausted, emotionally and physically, but there was a fire behind her eyes.
Damian stepped out of the bathroom in black slacks and a towel around his neck.
"I watched you," he said. "You handled them like a CEO."
"I'm not," she said quietly.
"You could be."
He sat beside her.
There was a beat of silence before he spoke again.
"I want to make it official."
She looked over. "What do you mean?"
"I want to give you power of attorney over all my personal holdings. Not just as my wife. But as my partner."
Her eyes widened. "Damian—"
"You've earned it. And I trust you more than anyone."
"Even Juliette?" she teased.
He smirked. "Especially Juliette."
She hesitated. "Why now?"
"Because Monroe isn't the only one watching," he said. "And the best way to protect you… is to make it clear to the world that you hold half the throne."
Her breath caught.
Half the throne.
Not a seat behind him.
Not a place at the edge.
Half.
She kissed him then—not because she was grateful.
But because she was ready.
Elsewhere, in a sleek, dark tower on the other side of the city, Garrett Monroe slammed a glass against the wall.
Juliette stood by the window, arms crossed, unflinching.
"She's becoming a problem," Monroe growled.
Juliette raised an eyebrow. "She's becoming something better than you anticipated."
"She'll ruin us both."
Juliette turned slowly, her voice like silk. "Only if you keep underestimating her."
"Then we end her."
Juliette's eyes glinted. "Try. But don't be surprised when she ends you first."
Let's all take a moment to BOW DOWN to Queen Elara 👑🔥 That boardroom scene? Cold. Calculated. Legendary. And Damian handing over power of attorney?? He said: "You're not my weakness, you're my weapon."
Would YOU accept the power Damian offered?
Do you think Juliette is switching sides?
What secrets is Monroe hiding next?
📈 We're climbing into the next arc fast—corporate espionage, public betrayal, and a sudden proposal you won't see coming. Drop a comment, leave your power stones, and don't forget to add to library if you haven't already!