Earlier that day..
The morning sunlight streamed through the tall, floor-to-ceiling windows of the conference room, casting bright, golden rays across the polished mahogany table.
Rowan sat at the head, his expression cool and composed as he surveyed the figures seated around him. The light, though warm and bright, did little to dispel the tension thickening the air.
To Rowan’s left sat Valerie Thorne, her posture straight but betraying the unease she tried to mask. Since taking over her father’s position, she had struggled to command the same respect as Victor Thorne had.
Across from her, Raven Blackwood reclined casually in his chair, the morning sun accentuating his sharp features, but his gaze was anything but relaxed. His eyes gleamed with a quiet menace, ready to strike at the first sign of weakness.
Raven Blackwood was the one who had called this meeting..
Axel Stone, seated near Raven, remained silent as well. His hulking frame was relaxed, his demeanor calm, but there was no mistaking the lethal energy that radiated from him.
Axel was the kind of man who spoke less and acted more, and right now, his silence spoke volumes.
Valerie, however, seemed oblivious to the silent undercurrents coursing through the room. She had been talking since the moment the meeting began, her voice filling the air with a mixture of self-assuredness and desperation. She recounted every minor achievement she had accomplished since taking over from her father, from small territorial gains to minor business expansions.
“I’ve increased our revenue by fifteen percent in the last quarter,”Valerie said, her voice rising slightly as if trying to convince not just them but herself.
“We’ve secured new trade routes, and I’ve personally overseen negotiations that have…”
Raven shifted in his seat, his movement subtle but enough to silence Valerie mid-sentence. The room grew still, the tension tightening like a noose.
Rowan’s eyes flicked to Raven, whose lips curled into a faint, dangerous smile.
“Impressive,” Raven said softly, though there was no warmth in his voice. “But we’re not here to discuss minor victories.”
Valerie blinked, her confident demeanor faltering for the first time. “Minor?”** she repeated, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her tone. “I’ve done everything expected of me… more… even…. I’ve strengthened our hold on the east sector and…”
“The east sector was already under control…” Raven interrupted, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.
Raven continued, “You’ve done nothing but maintain the status quo. We need more than that, Valerie. We need progress… Actual Real progress… Do you understand..?!”
Valerie’s face flushed with indignation, but before she could respond, Axel’s deep voice rumbled from the other side of the table.
“Your father built an empire,”Axel said, his gaze piercing through Valerie. “He didn’t just maintain what he inherited. He expanded. He innovated. Can you say you’ve done the same?”
Valerie stiffened, her hands gripping the edge of the table. “I’ve done what was necessary to stabilize the organization after my father’s death. You can’t expect…”
“We can,” Rowan interjected, his voice calm but carrying a weight that silenced the room. He had listened long enough, allowing the power dynamics to play out, but now it was time to remind them all of why they were here.
Rowan’s gaze fixed on Valerie, his eyes cold and calculating. “In this world, stabilization is nothing more than survival. And survival isn’t enough. We thrive by taking risks, by seizing opportunities, not by treading water.”
Valerie’s eyes flicked to Rowan, her frustration barely concealed. “So, what are you suggesting, Rowan? That I haven’t done enough? That I’m not capable?”
Rowan leaned forward slightly, his expression unreadable. “I’m suggesting that your leadership has been… Underwhelming…”
The words hung in the air, heavy with accusation. Valerie’s face tightened with barely concealed fury, but she didn’t dare lash out. Not in front of Raven, not in front of Axel.. and certainly will not in front of Rowan…
“I understand that you’ve had a difficult transition,” Raven said, his voice softer now, almost sympathetic. “No one is questioning your potential, Valerie. But potential means nothing if it isn’t realized. You need to start thinking like a leader, not just a caretaker.”
Valerie swallowed hard, her hands trembling slightly as she gripped the table.
She opened her mouth to speak, but Rowan interjected.
“You’ve been given a seat at this table because of your father,” Rowan continued, his voice cold and precise. “But respect is earned, not inherited. If you want to stay in this alliance, you need to prove that you’re more than just Victor Thorne’s daughter.”
The weight of his words hit Valerie like a slap, and for a moment, she looked like she might break. But she quickly regained her composure, her eyes hardening with resolve.
“I don’t need to prove anything to you,” she said, her voice firm. “I know what I’m capable of, and I will lead my organization the way I see fit.”
Rowan leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. He admired her defiance, but defiance without action was meaningless.
“Then show us,” he said simply. “Show us that you belong here.”
Valerie’s eyes flicked between the three of them… Raven.. Axel.. Rowan… before settling on Raven. “You called this meeting to question my leadership, didn’t you?” she said, her voice tight with accusation.
Raven smiled, his lips curling into a predatory grin. “I called this meeting to remind you that this alliance isn’t a given. It’s earned. Every day. Your father understood that. It’s time you did too.”
Valerie stood, pushing back her chair with a force that rattled the table. “I don’t need your approval,” she spat, her eyes blazing with anger. “I’ll prove myself in my own way, and when I do, you’ll regret ever doubting me.”
Raven’s smile widened, but there was no kindness in it. “Good,” He said softly. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”
Valerie stormed out of the room, the heavy door slamming shut behind her. The room was silent for a moment, the tension still thick in the air.
Rowan glanced at Raven, his expression neutral. “Was that really necessary?” he asked, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer.
Raven shrugged, his eyes glinting with amusement. “She needed a push. Now we’ll see if she’s truly capable or if she’ll crumble under the pressure.”
Axel chuckled, his deep voice rumbling through the room. “I wouldn’t mind seeing her crumble. She’s too soft for this life.”
Rowan said nothing, his mind already racing with possibilities. Valerie Thorne was a wild card, one that could either strengthen their alliance or become a liability. But one thing was certain… this was her moment of reckoning.
And in their world, there was no room for failure.
He stood up, his movements deliberate, and glanced once more at the door Valerie had stormed through. “Keep an eye on her,” he said, his voice low. “She’ll either prove herself or she’ll become a problem we’ll need to deal with.”
Raven nodded, his smile fading as the seriousness of the situation set in. “We’re all watching, Rowan. She’s not the only one who has something to prove.”
Rowan’s gaze met Raven’s, a silent understanding passing between them.