Just as I predicted, once I chose Cassius, Grandpa Orson began to pay him serious attention.

Cassius had been brought into the family quietly, kept out of the public eye.

But the old man must have done his own investigation into his forgotten grandson, because he chose his own birthday party to announce our engagement, using the occasion to formally introduce Cassius to the world.

Damian's parents were livid.

His mother cornered Grandpa Orson in the study after the party, her voice carrying through the mahogany doors despite her attempts at discretion.

"Father, this is absurd! You're elevating a bastard over your own legitimate grandson?"

"Damian made his choice," the old man replied, his voice as immovable as granite. "He chose that girl over the match I arranged. Now he lives with the consequences."

"But giving Cassius a seat on the board? Announcing him as family? People will talk!"

"Let them talk."

The door swung open, and Grandpa Orson emerged, his eyes scanning the hallway until they found me.

He walked over and took my hands in his weathered grip.

"Avery, my dear. I owe you an apology. I should have seen what Damian was long ago."

"You don't owe me anything, Grandpa."

"I owe you everything," he said firmly. "Your mother and I made a promise years ago. The Thornes and the Mantels would be united. That promise will be kept — just with a worthier groom."

He glanced behind him at Cassius, who stood a respectful distance away.

"He's rough around the edges. But there's steel in that boy. Real steel. Not the plated kind Damian wears."

After the old man retired for the evening, Cassius and I found ourselves alone on the manor's terrace, overlooking the city lights.

"Your grandfather called me 'rough around the edges,'" Cassius said, amusement lacing his voice.

"He also called you steel."

"And Damian?"

"Plated."

Cassius chuckled softly. "The old man has good taste."

Below us, I could see Damian's car tearing out of the manor's driveway, tires screeching against the gravel. Seraphina was no doubt beside him, already scheming their next move.

"They'll retaliate," I said.

"Of course they will. Damian just lost his grandfather's favor in front of every important family in the city. His pride won't let that stand."

"And Seraphina is smarter than people give her credit for."

Cassius turned to look at me. "Smarter than you?"

"No," I said. "But desperate people are unpredictable."

The next morning, the financial world was buzzing. Grandpa Orson had quietly transferred three of the Mantel Group's subsidiary companies under Cassius's direct management.

It wasn't the crown jewels of the empire, but it was a clear signal: the old man was grooming a new heir.

Damian, predictably, went to war.

He began rallying the family's board members, the ones who had always been loyal to his father's branch.

He invited them to private dinners, made promises about future dividends, and whispered poison about Cassius's illegitimate birth.

But Cassius had anticipated every move.

"Your cousin scheduled a meeting with Director Liu tomorrow," I told him over breakfast.

Cassius didn't look up from his tablet. "I know. I've already had lunch with Director Liu's wife. Lovely woman. She's very concerned about the irregularities in the pension fund that Damian's father managed."

I stared at him.

"You're terrifying."

He finally looked up, a crooked smile on his face.

"You chose me for a reason, remember?"

Within two weeks, Damian's coalition of board members had quietly dissolved. Three of them had switched their allegiance to Cassius. Two others had suddenly decided to retire.

The remaining ones were too scared to move.

Damian, realizing his political maneuvers had failed, made the fatal mistake of going to Grandpa Orson to complain.

The old man listened patiently, then said four words that would haunt Damian for years.

"Prove your worth first."

Damian stormed out. That night, I received a text from Seraphina.

"We need to talk. Sister to sister."

I showed it to Cassius.

"Trap?" he asked.

"Obviously."

"Going?"

I smiled. "Obviously."