POV: Cecilia Hale
It's funny how people always underestimate me. They look at my perfect hair, my perfect smile, my perfect everything and assume I'm just some pretty trophy wife. Poor Marcus. He's the biggest fool of them all.
I stood in the hallway, heels clicking against the polished floor, holding the document that now bore Marcus's signature. The company, the crown jewel of the Hale empire, was officially in Callum's name. My son's name. My son.
"Marcus," I called out sweetly, stepping back into his study. He was slumped in his chair, staring blankly at the family portrait on his desk. The one with Liana in it. Of course.
"Still thinking about her?" I asked, keeping my voice soft and innocent.
"She's my daughter," he muttered, not looking at me.
I raised an eyebrow but didn't let my irritation show. "Your daughter? Marcus, don't let your emotions blind you. She's not even yours."
That got his attention. He looked at me, his eyes tired but still holding a flicker of defiance. "I raised her, Cecilia. For twenty-four years, I raised her as my own."
"And look where that got you," I said, stepping closer, my voice dipping into that soothing tone I knew he couldn't resist. "She ran off with some man and a baby that isn't even part of this family. She betrayed you, Marcus. After everything you've done for her."
He didn't respond, so I pressed on, my tone sharpening just enough to sting. "And let's not forget the DNA test. You saw the results, Marcus. She's not your blood. She's nothing but a reminder of Caroline's lies."
Marcus flinched at the mention of his late wife. Good.
"I know it's hard," I continued, softening my voice again, "but you have to focus on what's best for this family. Callum is your son. Your legacy. Everything you've built should go to him."
Marcus sighed, rubbing his temples. "I just... I don't know, Cecilia. It doesn't feel right."
I moved closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're tired, darling. You've carried this family for so long. Let Callum take over. He's ready. And you... you deserve to rest."
He looked up at me, his eyes filled with doubt. But I knew I had him. Marcus was like a puzzle I'd spent years solving. Every piece fit perfectly, and I knew exactly how to twist and turn him to get what I wanted.
When he finally nodded, I had to resist the urge to smile too wide. "You're right," he said quietly. "Maybe it's time."
"It is time," I said, squeezing his shoulder. "You've made the right decision, Marcus. For all of us."
I left the study feeling triumphant. The company was in Callum's name, just as it should be. Now, I just needed to make sure my son didn't screw it up.
I found Callum in the living room, sprawled across the couch with his feet on the coffee table, scrolling through his phone like he didn't have a care in the world.
"Callum," I said, my voice sharp enough to make him sit up straight.
"Yeah, Mom?" he asked, looking at me with that lazy grin that always made me want to smack some sense into him.
I crossed my arms, giving him my best no-nonsense look. "It's done. The company is officially yours."
His grin widened. "Sweet. So, can I finally get that Porsche now?"
I stared at him, unimpressed. "This isn't about cars, Callum. This is about responsibility. You're the head of the company now. You have to act like it."
He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Responsibility. Got it."
"Don't you dare roll your eyes at me," I snapped, stepping closer. "Do you have any idea what I had to do to make this happen? The lies I had to tell? The people I had to manipulate? I did this for you. And you will not ruin it."
Callum held up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Chill, Mom. I get it."
I narrowed my eyes on him. "Do you? Because if you mess this up, Callum, I will not hesitate to take it all away. Don't think for a second that I won't."
He swallowed, the cocky grin slipping from his face. "Okay. I get it."
I softened my tone, placing a hand on his cheek. "Good. Because I'm proud of you, Callum. You're my son, and you deserve everything this world has to offer. But you have to earn it. Understand?"
He nodded, and I smiled, satisfied. "Now, go do something productive. And for God's sake, take your feet off the table."
He grumbled but obeyed, and I watched him leave the room.
I stood there, alone in the quiet house, I allowed myself a moment of satisfaction. The obstacles were out of the way. Liana was gone. Marcus was broken. And Callum... well, he was a work in progress, but he was my work in progress.
The Hale empire was mine now. And nothing, not Liana, not Marcus, not anyone was going to take it from me.
*****
Callum's pov
It felt good to finally step into Hale's company building as the boss. All my life, I'd been seen as the spare, the second thought, the step-son. But today, everything changed. Today, I was the man.
I strolled through the sleek glass doors, my reflection catching in every shiny surface. Employees starred as I passed, some offering forced smiles, others looking downright terrified. I liked that. Fear commanded respect.
"Mr. Hale," one of the managers greeted nervously, rushing to keep up with my long strides. "Is there anything I can get you?"
I stopped, looking him up and down like I was sizing up a piece of meat. "Yes, actually. A new team. You're fired."
His jaw dropped, and before he could stutter out a response, I kept walking. First order of business: clean house. This company didn't feel like mine yet. Too many of Marcus's loyalists still lurking around, people who'd question my every move. No, I needed my own team. People who'd owe me everything.
By midday, I'd fired half the staff. The HR department tried to protest, so I fired them too. I replaced them with people I knew—friends, acquaintances, even a cousin or two. People who'd keep their mouths shut and follow orders.
I was in the middle of drafting another email when my phone buzzed. It was Marcus. Great.
"Hello, dad," I answered smoothly, leaning back in my chair.
"Callum," his voice was sharp, demanding. "What's going on over there? I'm getting calls left and right that my best employees are being let go. What are you doing?"
I smirked, spinning lazily in my chair. "Just making a few adjustments. The company needs a fresh start, don't you think?"
"Adjustments? Callum, those were key people! They've been with this company for decades!"
"And maybe that's the problem," I shot back, keeping my tone calm but firm. "This isn't the same company anymore, dad .Times are changing, and we need people who can keep up. Trust me, it's for the best."
There was a pause on the other end. I could almost hear him grinding his teeth.
"Callum," he said slowly, "this company has a reputation…"
"And I'm protecting it," I interrupted, my voice like silk. "You gave me the reins, Dad. Let me do my job."
He sighed heavily. "Fine. But don't screw this up."
"Wouldn't dream of it," I said, ending the call before he could say anything else.
The first thing I did after that was transfer a cool five million into my personal account. Why not? I deserved it. Running a company was stressful, and I needed a little compensation.
The accounting department noticed almost immediately. One of them, a woman with glasses and a clipboard stormed into my office without knocking. Such a disrespectful witch ,that was what she looked like at the moment
"Mr. Hale," she said, clearly trying to keep her voice steady, "we've noticed a significant amount of money has been transferred out of the company's accounts. Can you explain…"
"You're fired," I said casually, not even looking up from my phone.
"Excuse me?"
"You're fired. Clear out your desk."
"But…"
I finally looked at her, my expression cold. "Do I need to repeat myself?"
She stared at me for a moment, her face pale, before turning and leaving. I picked up the phone and called security. "Clear out the entire accounting department. They're all done."
I was pouring myself a drink in the penthouse office when my phone rang again. This time, it was Mom.
"Callum," her voice was sharp, like a whip, "what's all this I'm hearing?"
"Mom, relax," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Everything's under control."
"Under control? You've fired half the company, and now Marcus is asking questions!"
"So? Let him ask."
"Don't be stupid," she snapped. "You need to be careful. If Marcus starts digging too deep, he'll figure out what we're doing. Do you want him to take everything back?"
I sighed, swirling the amber liquid in my glass. "Mom, I've got this. Marcus trusts me."
"For now," she said darkly. "But if you keep making reckless moves, he won't. Keep a low profile. Do you hear me?"
"Yeah, yeah. I hear you."
"And Callum?"
"What?"
"I'm proud of you," she said, her tone softening. "You're finally stepping up. But remember, this isn't just about you. It's about us. Don't ruin it."
I hung up, feeling a mix of pride and annoyance. Mom always had to have the last word. But she was right about one thing: this was my moment.The Hale empire was in my hands now, and I was going to take everything it had to offer.