14.

Nicolas

I stood at the head of the conference table, my eyes facing the room filled with the company's top executives.

I had called this emergency meeting to address the future of the company; now that my grandfather was gone and with his condition filled, I was taking control.

“As you are all aware, my grandfather's passing has left me in charge of the company now.” I begin pausing to take in their facial expression.

However, just as I was about to continue my speech, one of the senior executives spoke up.

"Excuse me, Mr. King," he said, his voice hesitant. "But didn't your grandfather say that you had to be married before you could take over the company?"

I felt a flicker of annoyance, but I kept my cool. I glanced over at Giovanni, whose face had held a frown.

I didn’t miss the shock on his face when he saw the resume work this morning.

What was he expecting? He wanted me dead by now, and he should be the one in my position now, ready to take over.

I wasn’t going to rip him off his duty, at least not today; I needed to keep my enemies close to be aware of all their evil intentions, Giovanni included.

Until I find evidence to have him jailed for almost murder, he stays.

"Giovanni," I said, my voice calm. "Can you clarify this for us?"

Giovanni stepped forward, his face held in a deep frown.

A smirk spread across my lips.

"Yes, Mr. King," he said. "As you are all aware, Mr. King recently got married. The wedding took place yesterday, and I am pleased to inform you that Mr. King has signed all the necessary papers and will be resuming his duties as CEO effective immediately."

Pleased indeed.

“Have you any objection? Step up,” I say, but the room goes silent.

I didn’t miss the look Giovanni and Mark shared, making me narrow my eyes at Mark; he moved uncomfortably, forcing a smile.

My jawline clenched, knowing these two were in the cohort.

The room erupted into a flurry of congratulations and well-wishes, and otherwise, but none mattered. What did was that I was in charge now, and unlike my grandfather, my reign would be much tougher and different.

My thoughts suddenly drifted to Riley, our passionate shared night rushing down like a wave of nostalgia.

Knowing that she was finally mine brought an unexplainable feeling of satisfaction. Becoming the heir to King Enterprises is an achievement, but making Riley mine is another.

I felt bad that I had to leave too early, but I made a mental note to make it up to her.

The meeting soon ended as we exited; my eyes caught sight of Asher, my so-called stepbrother and Riley’s ex.

He wasn’t aware of our relationship, which I’m aware of. When my father cut ties with us, Grandfather made it clear that he should forget he ever had a family, meaning we were dead to him, so he wasn’t fit to carry the family name.

I looked at the hand extended towards me, my eyes narrowing slightly as I tried to place the face. "And you are?" I asked, my voice neutral.

The man's smile faltered for a moment, and I could sense a flicker of embarrassment. "I'm Asher," he said, his voice a little tighter. "I work here. Congratulations on your new position, Mr. King."

I nodded curtly, refusing to take his hand for a shake. "Thank you," I said, before brushing past him.

As I reached my office I settled down pulling up my computer and switching it on.

The thought of Asher with Riley didn’t sit well with me. Knowing that fucker put her through a lot after using her all these years.

It was never supposed to be him and Riley; he took her from me, and now he has to pay for every bit of it, just like his father.

I pushed the thought aside, focusing on the workload. But just as I was about to settle and open up an email, my phone rang.

"Mr. King," my assistant's voice came through the line. "You have a call from your family. They're asking you to come home immediately."

My brows furrowed in confusion. "What's wrong?" I asked, already getting up from my chair.

"It's your wife, sir," my assistant replied, her voice hesitant. "There's been an accident."

My mind went blank, and for a moment, my breath paused.

Riley.

I rushed outside the company, snatching the keys from one of the guards and hopping in.

I tried as fast as I could, my thoughts running wild.

She was fine when I left home; what could have possibly gone wrong?

As I reached there, I met Ryder by the entrance of the house.

“What the hell happened?” I demanded worriedly.

“It’s Monica. They got into a fight with Riley and—“ he paused.

I grabbed onto his collar, “And what?”

“The doctor is still running checks up,” he adds.

Just in time, the doctor walked out, wiping a bit of sweat from his forehead. “Mr. King?”

“Yes?”

I walked towards him. “How is she?”

“She’s out of danger.”

“And the baby?” I asked.

“We were able to stop the bleeding and save the baby; the pressure on her bump would have caused both her and the baby’s life, but it’s good she was brought in early,” he explained.

I let out a breath, rubbing on my temples. “Can I see her?”

He nods, “Yes.”