Chapter 75
Chapter 75
KASMINE.
The voice from the mini speakers in the plane trailed off, fading into my thoughts, “All passengers on board, welcome to flight 309…” I barely registered the rest. My focus was on the man beside me–my stepbrother–who hadn’t lifted his gaze from his phone since we arrived at the airport, as if he was expecting a call that was never going to come.
He clenched and unclenched his fists and jaws every now and then to relieve the tension he was refusing to let me know he was feeling. It was rolling off of him in waves, and I could almost taste it.
What the hell was going on?
Something was wrong.
I’d overheard the argument between him and Dad last night, though I hadn’t caught enough to piece everything together. It wasn’t anything new–Kester and Dad had always been at odds, more enemies than family. They fought so often that their clashes had become routine, something I’d learned to ignore out of self–preservation.
Mum and I had to get used to it when we found out there was nothing more we could do for both of them to live more like family instead of rivals.
Still… this felt different.
An hour into the flight, there was still no word from him to me.
“Kester?” I finally spoke, shifting in my seat and adjusting my belt to face him better.
“Yes, baby,” he replied absentmindedly, his thumb swiping across the screen. He didn’t even glance at me.
“Is everything okay? You’ve been kinda off since we got here,” I asked, and he was quiet, “Is this about the company? The rumors I heard?”
Speaking of the rumors brought Jake straight to my mind, and I almost smiled when I remembered the conversation we had this morning when I called him after Kester left my room to pick dad’s call.
Jake was a true gentleman. He wasn’t even upset in the least that I was embarking on this trip, even after I had promised to spend some time with him. In fact, he was happy I was living my dream life.
I snuck our secret phone into my luggage and couldn’t wait to tell him all about the Maldives when I landed.
“Talk to me, Kester,” I urged softly. Only a fool would push Kester when he was already on the edge.
“Take a rest, baby,” he said, still not looking at me. “Go lie down, drink champagne, watch a movie… just do something. I’ll be fine.” He kissed the top of my head absently, his lips barely brushing my hair before he went back to typing, his fingers moving fast and aggressively.
I tried to peek, shifting slightly to catch a glimpse of the screen, but the angle wasn’t in my favor. Whatever he was writing had his full attention–and it wasn’t good.
“Kest-“I tried pushing, but his next choice of action made my face heat up with embarrassment.
“Fuck it, Kasmine! Just listen for this once!” He snapped at me, turning his glare in my direction, and I flinched immediately. The look in his eyes burned hotter and deeper than frustration. And it scared me.
Without another word, he shot up from his seat and stormed toward the convenience, and I dared not go after him.
***
Chapter 75
+25 BONUS
KESTER.
Since childhood, that man had made my life a living hell.
Who the fuck did he think he was?
Being my father didn’t give him the right to dictate my every move, to meddle in my life as if he had any claim over me. I wasn’t his puppet, and one day, he’d learn that the hard way.
One day, I’d put an end to this, and when that day came, he wouldn’t like how it ended. Because it would end with him lying in a pool of his own fucking blood.
My jaw clenched as I exhaled sharply, forcing the violent thoughts from my mind. I had enough on my plate without adding patricide to the list.
But Kasmine-
I closed my eyes, the memory of her flinch piercing me like a dull blade. I’d snapped at her without provocation. She hadn’t deserved that.
I dragged a hand down my face, inhaling deeply before pulling out my phone.
And texted him again.
Me: Dad, if she steps foot in Maldives, I won’t be responsible for whatever the fuck happens to her.
A few seconds later, he replied: Then you’ll have her father, the Alpha King, to contend with. Why are you so blind
to the fact that she is your only way to success? You could become the Alpha King after King Mellors dies!
I ground my teeth so hard my jaw ached.
Me: I don’t give a fuck about all that. I have nothing else to say about this.
Him: King Mellors is very sick and might die at any moment. June is his only daughter. With him gone, you’ll be the next Alpha King if you marry her and make her your chosen mate.
Fuck all of that. Power wasn’t a concern to me. I was even willing to give up my Alpha position if it stood in the way of my desire to be with the woman I loved. Kasmine.
Him: Valor Lante Tech just partenederd with the Belinzo Herez Empire. They are the second largest market in the country and beyond. The contract was signed yesterday. Just thought you should know.
I stared at the screen, my grip tightening around the phone.
Of course, he’d throw that in. Like a fucking lure, dangling power in front of me as if I were some desperate, hungry fool.
I scoffed.
I wasn’t.
And yet, something about this information burned in my consciousness.
How the fuck did I miss this? Wasn’t this why I had hired Fred Anderson? Did he not know about this partnership before now?
I see… He played a smart one, huh? I had to keep a close eye on him. Right now, I don’t trust him anymore.
Another message came in.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 75
Him: And guess who’s standing with them?
1 frowned, my fingers hesitating over the screen.
Me: Get to the fucking point.
Him: Wescor Industries.
My breath stilled.
Him: They’ve shifted their investments toward Valor Lante. Their new partnership with Belinzo gives them access to the largest market expansion in decades. With their backing, Valor’s market value is expected to soar–and their reach will extend far beyond what you can counter.
I leaned against the sink, exhaling sharply.
Him: And since Wescor is one of Zamford’s biggest shareholders, you should be asking yourself… how long before they start pulling out?
My fingers curled into a fist.
That was the real hit.
If Wescor withdrew its stakes in Zamford–or worse, redirected funding to Valor–it wouldn’t just be a financial inconvenience. It would be a fucking disaster.
Their investment kept Zamford’s market value stable. Their influence secured long–term contracts, allowing us to stay competitive. If they withdrew and redirected their resources to Valor, it wouldn’t be long before Zamford’s stock took a hit. A big one.
I exhaled, my pulse hammering.
Him: Marry June. Secure the alliance. Her father has a direct line to Belinzo. If you can be with her, Mellors will make sure Wescor doesn’t turn its back on you.
I stared at the message, feeling the walls close in.
This wasn’t just another power play–this was a fucking ultimatum.
If I refused, I wouldn’t just lose Wescor–I’d lose my entire leverage in the market.
Zamford would be vulnerable. The board would start looking for better options. If Valor’s value skyrocketed under this new deal, investors would abandon Zamford in droves.
I’d seen this shit happen before.
And if I wasn’t careful, I wouldn’t just lose the company–Id be replaced.
Fucking hell.
Chapter 76
+25 BONUS
Chapter 76
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
Synopsis : My Stepbrother
