NINETEEN
Cece
My brain kicks into action when I finally register the familiar voice. It almost makes me recall my college days at Harvard, trying to make sense of a degree when my classmate already had a blooming security business.
I quickly let go of my grip on Levi’s shirt, side stepping him as I manage a small smile.
“Sebastian,” I breathe out, my gut instantly uncoiling because I know this man has arrived at the most dreadful moment.
“Christ.” I hear Levi mutter irritably. “You couldn’t have messaged me before breaking in?”
I ignore Levi’s half-hearted rebuke and walk toward him. “We have half-and-half cream.”
The moment I’m close enough, Seb gives me his charming smile. “Been too long, Cece.”
I’m only able to lift up my lips a fraction from the already struggling smile. But his quiet gesture of open arms makes me think that it’ll be alright soon. Everything will be.
The man is a legend. A revered—even feared—man who won’t sit back through this.
“Six years,” I murmur, as I stiffly settle into his hug.
I have no idea what he’s been up to this whole time. But it only took one single call to have him on my side. Help me—support me.
I hear a growl from behind me. I suppose it’s the first time Levi has seen me with another man like this. Although, Seb and I never crossed that line.
Besides, he’s married now. Or so I’ve heard.
My cheek feels Sebastian’s chest rumbling on a chuckle. “Relax, Mr. Astor. I’m just greeting an old friend here.”
“If you’re done, you can get your hands off her.”
As tall and fit as Levi is, I have absolute confidence that Seb can take him in a fight—in less than a second. There were always rumors around campus that he was a secret FBI agent. And his Harvard endeavor was merely a secret mission.
But with everything that happened in the last few years, I think those rumors had some credibility to them. I would never actually ask him, though.
I shift my weight from one foot to the other as Seb releases me, not before patting my shoulder in a way that feels reassuring. Familiar. Like he knows I need something solid to tether to right now.
“God, you’re tense,” he murmurs, stepping around me toward the kitchen again like he owns the damn place. “Seriously? No creamer?”
I blink dazedly. “No. Half-and-half.”
“I’ll make it work.” He winks, then throws a smug grin at Levi, who looks like he’s two seconds from punching a wall. Maybe Seb.
“You really couldn’t message before coming?” Levi huffs again, not as irritated this time. Just… weary.
Sebastian turns, cradling a mug I know is Levi’s favorite, and shrugs. “Didn’t want to give your staff or building cameras a head start. You’ve got gaps in your surveillance system, by the way.”
I watch Levi’s jaw tick. “Thanks for the tip.”
I want to roll my eyes but I’m too tired. Too numb to bother diffusing the weird pissing contest. They toss a few more barbed pleasantries, and I hear the tension in Levi’s sigh when Seb finally gets to the point.
“Alright. Take a seat, lovebirds. Let’s talk business.”
Lovebirds.
The moment I sit on the sectional, I tug my knees close, planting my palms on them—something about the pressure helps me feel here. Levi takes the edge of the armrest beside me.
Seb remains standing for a beat. Sipping. Observing.
Then, he sets the mug down and drops into the accent chair like he’s easing into a leather throne. “I assume Cece filled you in?” Levi starts.
Seb’s eyes flick to him. “Not really. But, I’m aware. Fully. The clause leak, the photos, the timing, the statements. Your parents have been… busy.”
Levi blinks. “How—”
“Doesn’t matter how,” Seb cuts in smoothly, voice a shade darker. “I’m not here to play catch-up.”
A cold shiver skims my arms, and I rub them quietly. Not because I’m scared. But because I’ve never seen someone take control of a room so effortlessly. Seb wasn’t always like this. And not even Levi’s father could manage this kind of still power.
Seb leans forward, all traces of charm evaporated. “We—well, you—need to file a suit. Against Gareth, Thomas, Odette, and Charles.”
Levi’s eyes widen. “Charles? Charles Gaither? That’s… he’s just a silent shareholder.”
“Not just going after them. I’m gutting them out of the company. Well… you are.”
I suck in a breath, the math unfolding in my head like muscle memory. “That’s… nearly 28% of Astor Holdings’ board-controlled shares.”
Levi turns to me, and I see that flicker—he’d reached the same number.
Seb nods. “Twenty-seven point eight, to be exact. But once we apply the hostile activity clause—yes, it exists, you’re welcome—and wrap in the personal liability disclosures they all signed five years ago during the Tanaka acquisition…
Levi, their votes default to you. Temporarily.
Then, hopefully permanently. But that’s a problem for another day. ”
I stare at him, every word thudding into place like a court summons in my brain. “We can do that?”
He lifts a brow, smirking. “Yep.”
Levi lets out a slow exhale, his gaze somewhere between horror and relief. “Jesus.”
Seb flashes him a grin.
But there’s still a cold weight in my belly. Like even winning this will leave a stain.
Seb stretches out a leg, casual again. “Ask your EA to arrange an emergency board meeting, Levi. Two days from now. No exceptions. Taewon can handle it, easy.”
Levi nods. “Alright.”
“And what exactly will the meeting be about?” I ask, not bothering to mask my wariness.
Seb smiles, all teeth and velvet. “Oh, you know. Just some fun times.”
I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be reassured or terrified.
The conversation keeps going—Seb detailing timelines, steps, what the lawsuits will need.
I nod when I have to. Levi grunts in agreement.
But my body is already somewhere else, running simulations.
Trying to decide how much of this is salvageable.
If Wentworth can even survive this scandal since being wrapped up with Astor Holdings.
Finally, Sebastian stands. “No more surprises today,” he says softly, and for the first time, I wonder if he’s trying to comfort me or warn me. Or if he’s perhaps controlling the complete narrative now.
He turns to Levi and offers his hand. Levi takes it after a heartbeat, their grip silent but steel-strong.
“Keep her safe,” Seb murmurs, then leans down and kisses the top of my head with the familiarity of someone who used to be close. Then just walks out.
The door clicks behind him, and for several long seconds, neither of us move.
I feel Levi shift beside me, his hand rubbing on my lower back. “So that happened.”
I press my fingers to my temple. “Yeah.”
??????
“I, uh… I don’t know why I’m here?”
I hear Iris near the boardroom—her voice almost tiny, like it’s filtered through a haze. And honestly? Same.
She’s supposed to be handing over the account to that Jude guy today. But I don’t know why she’s here either. From the way she said it… looks like she doesn’t know either.
The meeting’s about to begin. The emergency board meeting Sebastian had us arrange. No one’s been briefed. No one knows what’s coming. Except for me and Levi.
So why does it feel like I still don’t?
Maybe it’s the way my skin feels too tight for my bones. Or the headache that’s been hiding behind my eyes for two days. Or the goddamn email notification I keep getting about a LinkedIn article titled “Astor’s Engagement Catastrophe: A Cautionary Tale for the Modern Corporate Culture”.
But more than anything—it’s this slow, itching ache under my ribs. Like something is crawling. About to burst. And I know it will—soon.
Levi’s fingers squeeze mine gently. He hasn’t let go since we arrived. I don’t even remember taking the walk from the parking lot. Or how I’m dressed. Or whether I’ve blinked in the last five minutes.
“I’m not sure,” Levi tells Iris. “We didn’t summon you.”
No one did. At least not us.
And for once, thank God, Taewon’s not here. I can’t handle another volcanic eruption of his rage.
The board members begin to arrive—each of them radiating practiced warmth and power. They greet each other with those fake half-laughs, tight handshakes, polite head tilts. Gareth walks in soon enough, silver hair slicked back, teeth bared in what he probably thinks is a winning smile.
Thomas is close behind. He offers me a nod I don’t return. Odette, as poised as ever, clutching a Birkin in her hands that she won’t be able to afford again. Charles strolls in last, a hint of uncertainty around him.
I slump slightly against the wall, trying to will the time to move faster. Let Seb do what he planned to do.
Then I hear it.
“What the fuck?”
Iris’s voice. Loud. Gasping. Jarring. We quickly head toward the lobby where Iris’s gaze is locked—leaving the board members in the main hall.
I blink toward the hallway and instinctively offer a tiny, tentative smile. Sebastian just walked in, a storm in a suit. Calm. Commanding.
But it’s not Seb that freezes my insides.
It’s Iris.
She’s staring at him like she’s seen a ghost—and when her eyes flick to the two people behind him, she goes almost green.
Sebastian offers her a smug smile. “Hi, Iris. How have you been?”
She opens her mouth. Closes it. Tries again. Fails.
Seb walks toward the hall, passing us, with all the ease of a man entering his own kitchen. “Don’t mind us. We’re just here for the show.”
Levi stares at the two strangers behind him. “Us?”
If I said Iris looked pale before, I take it back. Because now she looks like she might actually pass out. She’s staring at the two strangers, mouth agape.
A tall woman in a leather jacket with eyes so sharp they cut straight through Iris like lasers. She’s almost smiling at Iris.
And behind her… a man. Smiling. Casual. Like this is brunch and not a corporate ambush. His hoodie contrasting sharply with the entire dress code of the meeting.
“Might wanna remind people you went to Stanford, Iris. From what I hear, it’s not really showing right now,” the woman says coolly, crossing her arms as she locks eyes with Iris.
The man behind her groans and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Heer…”