Orion’s POV

As if on cue, Chloe’s lips curved into a smug smile, and she sauntered forward, her heels clicking on the marble floor with calculated grace. I watched her approach, a predatory glint in my eyes. She slipped her arms around my shoulders, and without hesitation, I leaned in, capturing her mouth in a long, passionate kiss. A mix of satisfaction and mischief bubbled inside me as I felt Ava’s fury simmering just behind me.

Ava’s face twisted in disgust, the sickening knot in my stomach tightening as I reveled in the scene unfolding before her. I leaned deeper into Chloe, pulling her closer, daring Ava to react, daring her to show even a hint of weakness. The electric tension in the air was palpable; I could almost taste it.

“Are you two going to carry on your mindless pleasure here, or do you plan to do this at home?” Ava’s voice cut through the air, icy and sharp. I could see her fists clenched at her sides, and it only spurred me on further.

Chloe detached herself from me, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction as she turned to face Ava. I maintained my gaze on Ava, a quiet challenge lurking in my expression. “Is there a problem, Ava?” Chloe purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

Ignoring her, she focused entirely on me. “And as for you,” she said, her tone cold, “don’t you ever bring your shameful business here again. This is a professional environment, and I’m not interested in being the topic of anyone’s lunchtime gossip.” With that, she turned, prepared to dismiss me and all the frustrations that came with this scene.

But my response stopped her. “What?” she bit out, her back still turned, but I could sense the anger simmering just beneath the surface.

“You can’t just walk out,” I said, adding a hint of command to my voice. “Mother wants us both to drop by today. There’s an important family meeting.”

The mention of my mother sent an evident jolt of tension through her. Ava froze for a moment, and I could see the dread flicker across her features. Good. I wanted her to feel it. I was done tiptoeing around her feelings.

“Go ahead with Chloe. I have more important things to handle,” she shot back, her tone icy.

I couldn't let her dismiss me so easily. “You’re avoiding this, Ava. Running away from a meeting won’t change anything.”

Ava stormed out, leaving the office, and I turned my attention back to Chloe. “What are you doing here, anyway?” I asked, my tone shifting from playful to serious in an instant. “I told you to stay at home or go shopping.”

Chloe stepped closer, her demeanor shifting to something seductive and manipulative. “I wanted to see you, Orion. Isn’t that reason enough?” she replied, her voice a sultry whisper. The way she leaned in, the warmth of her breath against my skin, was enough to make me forget my irritation. I had to remind myself of the game I was playing.

“Why don’t you just go?” I replied, attempting to keep my tone stern, but I could feel the pull of her charm. “I’ll come get you when it’s time to go home. I don’t want anyone from the company to see us together. It may ruin my chances of taking over everything from Ava.”

Chloe pouted, feigning disappointment, but there was a glint of understanding in her eyes. “Fine,” she said with a mock huff, but I could see she was willing to comply. “Just don’t take too long.” With that, she sauntered out, and I watched her leave, wondering if I had played my cards right.

Once she was gone, I turned my attention back to the office that had once belonged to my father. The memories flooded back, tainted with bitterness. This was supposed to be my inheritance, my legacy, but now it was tainted by Ava’s presence. I approached the main office door, only to be met with a wall of security.

“Excuse me,” I said, my patience already wearing thin. “I’m Orion Miller. I need to speak to my wife.”

The security guard looked at me as if I were out of my mind. “This is Mrs. Miller’s office. You can’t go in.”

I felt a surge of irritation boiling beneath my skin. “I’m her husband!” I shot back, incredulous that I had to state the obvious.

“That doesn’t matter,” he replied, his tone dismissive. “This area is restricted to Mrs. Miller and her personal assistant. You’ll have to leave, sir.”

I was about to explode when a familiar face strolled by—a board member who recognized me. “Orion! What are you doing here?” he called, and the guard looked at me in shock.

“He’s with me,” the board member said, leading me away from the commotion. “Let me show you to your office.”

As I walked beside him, anger churned in my gut. This was my rightful place, my father’s office. Ava had claimed everything that should have been mine, and it made my blood boil.

“How is it possible that Ava has taken over so much?” I murmured under my breath, clenching my fists. “She claims she isn’t a gold digger, but that’s exactly what she is. She’s slowly converting everything that was supposed to be mine.”

“Did you say something?” I heard the board member ask, and shook my head.

As I reached my new office, my phone buzzed with a call from my mother.

“Orion, you need to make sure Ava comes to the family meeting today,” she said, her voice low and urgent. “We can’t afford to let her think she has any power over the will. We have to remove her from it, even if it means killing her, then so be it.”

A cold chill ran down my spine as I considered her words. It was a dangerous game we were playing, and I felt the walls closing in around me. My mother had always been ruthless, and I knew she would stop at nothing to ensure our family’s legacy remained intact.

“I’ll do what needs to be done, but I can’t let her see it coming,” I replied, my voice steady, though my heart raced with a mixture of fear and anger. I hung up, staring out the window at the bustling city below, contemplating my next move. Ava was a formidable opponent, and I couldn’t let her schemes ruin my family.

I had underestimated her once; I wouldn't make that mistake again. The clock was ticking, and I needed to act fast before it was too late.