Chapter 5 The Uncle Gambit

In the heart of Astoria, a sleek skyline shimmered through tinted glass, casting a steely glow over the sprawling boardroom of Vale Dynamics, a multinational real estate-tech conglomerate.

At the head of the obsidian conference table sat Kieran Vale, CEO and the man infamously known as The Untouchable Bachelor. Handsome in a disheveled kind of way-sharp jawline, tousled black hair, and a permanently bored look in his golden-brown eyes-Kieran wore power like a second skin.

His executives buzzed like bees at the far end of the table, faces buried in presentation slides and projections.

"Now, the proposed vertical community project in Westbridge Heights is estimated to bring in a 19.4% profit margin in the second fiscal quarter," droned one director, tapping his tablet. "We've secured half the zoning permissions. We'd just need the eco-tech partnership from MonroeTech to solidify-"

Kieran yawned.

Audibly.

The entire room stuttered into silence.

Kieran raised one brow, casually swirling the black Montblanc pen between his fingers. "Are we done with the corporate foreplay?"

A few chuckles-nervous ones.

"Forgive me, sir," the director said stiffly. "But this partnership could reshape suburban infrastructure."

Kieran leaned back in his chair, the picture of calculated indifference.

"With MonroeTech. Of course." He exhaled slowly.

His gaze drifted out the glass wall behind them-but not toward the skyline. In his mind's eye, he saw her again.

Elira.

That ridiculous, drunken scene from last night replayed like a loop.

Her stormy green eyes. That half-crazed giggle.

"How much do you charge for a night?"

Then-her hand grabbing his tie, yanking him down to her height like she owned him.

Kieran clenched his jaw, rubbing a thumb over his bottom lip.

"What the hell is wrong with me?" He was thinking about a kid-a twenty-three-year-old who just got dumped by his spoiled brat of a nephew. And yet, the more he tried to shake her off, the deeper her voice burrowed into his head.

It wasn't just lust. That much scared him more.

"Damn it. Not this again." He suppressed a grin and yawned theatrically, again.

"Any phase on timeline commitments? Can they be onboard by Q4?"

Another director adjusted his glasses. "Yes, sir. Full integration planned by Q3. Installation in Westbridge starts Q4."

Kieran nodded. "Good." Physically, he looked calmed. Internally, he wrestled his restless thoughts. "Why do I keep thinking about her?"

He recalled her drunken statement:

""The sweet part? I'm a virgin." Her giggle punishing at his tie. "She's still in my suit..." He swallowed and refocused. "Any concerns?" he prompted.

A junior exec cleared his throat. "Minor. Some shareholders are nervous about integrating external control systems at scale-but MonroeTech's track record is exceptional."

Kieran let out a slow sigh. "Then finalize the contract." He stood. "Meeting adjourned."

Without waiting for another instruction, they all exited the room, leaving Kieran alone with his assistant.

"Sir?" His assistant-Rhys, sharp-suited and perpetually exasperated-tapped him from behind.

Kieran blinked back to the room. "Yes?"

Rhys passed him a black folder. "You asked me to dig into her."

Kieran flipped the file open lazily. A picture of Elira stared up at him-flushed cheeks, pursed lips, hair wild like she had been mid-laugh.

Name: Elira Monroe

Age: 23

Relationship Status: One year relationship with Jason Reed

He frowned.

"One year?"

Rhys cleared his throat. "Technically, they started dating publicly a year ago. But sources say they've been together since high school. Most likely, Jason kept the timeline vague because of the Vale inheritance dispute."

Kieran scoffed. "Tch. The family bloodbath."

He rolled his eyes. "Everyone in the Vale line thinks becoming the patriarch means power. All I see are leeches fighting over that old man's empire."

Rhys muttered under his breath. "Says the only uncle who might actually deserve it."

"What was that?"

"Nothing, sir."

Kieran leaned forward, studying Elira's file again.

"Orphaned young. Raised by her older sister. And..." His eyes lingered on the detail: Founded MonroeTech but is not publicly listed as CEO.

He lifted a brow.

"So she built a billion-dollar tech company... and gave Jason the credit?"

Rhys nodded. "That's the current speculation. No one even knew she was involved until two shareholders leaked anonymous concerns."

Kieran exhaled. "She's either incredibly naïve... or dangerously calculating."

His eyes dropped to her photo again. A curve of her lips caught his attention.

He squinted.

"...Moderate cleavage," he mumbled.

"Sir?"

"Nothing," he said, standing up abruptly. "What's next on the schedule?"

Rhys pulled out his tablet. "Lunch with actress Milena Cross at 12. Shopping with model Saanvi Fontaine at 2.. Then a virtual meeting with MonroeTech's executive rep-Jason."

Kieran waved a hand. "Cancel MonroeTech."

Rhys's jaw dropped. "But sir, that meeting is crucial to-"

"Relax. I'm sure my nephew can reschedule. It's not like he's emotionally stable enough to run a PowerPoint without bursting into tears."

"But it's business-"

"And I have other business," Kieran said with a wolfish grin. "Two plump cherries in front and a ripe peach at the back."

Rhys stared at him in horror. "Sir... for the love of all things pure, could you try being less shameless?"

Kieran struck a thinking pose. "Nope."

He tossed the file onto the conference table. "But I will see Elira again. For some reason... I just know."

Just as they reached his private office, a sweet, heavy perfume wafted under the door.

Kieran grinned and loosened his tie. "Ah. Second breakfast is here."

Rhys gagged. "I'm leaving."

Kieran pushed the door open and was immediately greeted by a half-naked blonde sprawled on his leather couch wearing nothing but pink lingerie and a fur coat.

She purred, "Did you miss me, K?"

Meanwhile, Back in Sabrina's House...

Elira sat rigidly on the sofa, sipping hot tea like her life depended on it.

Across from her, Sabrina and her husband, Marco, stared her down like she had grown horns and wings.

"What?" Elira finally snapped. "Why are you both looking at me like I just declared I was the spawn of Satan?"

Sabrina folded her arms. "Honestly? I'd prefer that to what you actually said."

Marco tried to mask his laughter with a cough. "She said what now?"

Sabrina turned toward him. "She said-and I quote-'I'm going to seduce Jason's uncle so he'll call me Aunt Elira.'"

Marco spat out his coffee.

Elira groaned. "Why is everyone acting like I committed murder?"

"You practically did," Sabrina said, standing. "You hugged a stranger's thigh. You told him you'd pay him for sex. And now you want to make Jason's uncle-the most dangerous Vale-fall for you? Do you even know what he looks like?"

Elira blinked. "When you say it like that, it sounds dramatic."

"Because it IS dramatic!"

Marco raised a finger. "Okay, hold on. Who is this uncle? Are we talking about Kieran Vale?"

Sabrina nodded.

Elira tilted her head. "Why do you say his name like he's Voldemort?"

Marco sighed. "Because Kieran Vale doesn't date. He doesn't love. And he sure as hell doesn't play fair. He fucks and dumps. Although he rarely makes oublic appearances, his bed room escapades does the talking."

Sabrina groaned. "Elira, please. Find another way to get your revenge."

Elira's eyes flashed. "No. They ruined everything. And I'm going to make Jason choke on regret. If that means seducing his cold, rich, womanizing uncle? So be it."

Marco muttered, "God help us all."