Chapter 3

Two weeks later, I stood on a small stage in the grand ballroom of the Miller family estate, a glass of champagne in my hand. The room was silent, all eyes on me. My grandfather, a stern man with a face like carved granite, stood beside me.

"I am proud to announce," Grandpa Miller said, his voice booming through the microphone, "that my grandson, Alex Miller, will be taking over as the new CEO of Miller Holdings, effective immediately."

A polite, then thunderous, applause filled the room. I smiled, raised my glass, and played my part. Inside, my heart was a frantic drum. This was it. The last hurdle.

After the speech, Chris was the first person to reach me. He pulled me into a fierce hug, lifting me off the ground for a second.

"You did it, man!" he yelled over the noise. "CEO! I'm so proud of you!"

His thoughts were even louder, a chaotic symphony of pure joy. He' s amazing. He' s brilliant and strong and he' s finally getting everything he deserves. I love him so much I think I might actually burst.

I laughed, feeling dizzy from his embrace and his mental shouting. "Thanks, Chris. It means a lot."

He finally let me go but kept a hand on my shoulder, his eyes shining. We were so close, our little moment so intense, that we didn't notice my grandfather approaching until he cleared his throat right behind me.

"Alex," Grandpa Miller said, his eyes flicking from me to Chris and back again. "A word."

He led me to a quiet corner of the room.

"You've made me proud tonight, boy," he said, his tone surprisingly gentle. "You've secured the family's legacy."

"Thank you, Grandpa."

"Now, it's time to think about the next step," he continued, his gaze becoming sharp. "A legacy isn't just about business. It's about blood. You're eighteen. It's time to find a suitable wife, start a family. Secure the next generation."

My blood ran cold. Of course. This was always part of the deal.

"The Reynolds boy," he said, nodding towards Chris, who was watching us with a worried expression. "He's a good friend. A powerful ally. But that's all he can be. Do you understand me?"

He thought my friendship with Chris was a political alliance. If he only knew.

"I understand, Grandpa," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

"Good. Don't disappoint me." He gave my shoulder a firm squeeze and walked away.

The conversation left a bitter taste in my mouth. Everything was a transaction to him, even love and family. I looked over at Chris, and my resolve hardened. My love for him wasn't a transaction. It was the only real thing in my life. I would not let my family' s ambition poison it.

My search for Chris was interrupted by a voice I despised.

"Well, well. The man of the hour."

It was Lisa Thompson. She stood before me, a glass of wine in her hand, her smile like a slash of red paint. I had no idea why she was here.

"What do you want, Lisa?" I asked, keeping my voice flat.

"Oh, just admiring the new king," she said, her eyes glinting with something ugly. "You must be so pleased with yourself. You have everything now, don't you?"

"I don't have time for this." I tried to walk past her, but she stepped in my way.

"You have the Miller fortune, and you have Chris wrapped around your little finger," she sneered, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "He threw away his future, our future, for you. For his little boyfriend. It makes me sick."

"Chris and I are just friends," I said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, please," she scoffed. "Don't insult my intelligence. I see the way you two look at each other. But don't get too comfortable. He's not here, is he? I saw him leave the ballroom a few minutes ago, looking pale. Maybe he' s finally realizing what a freak he is for wanting someone like you."

Her words were meant to hurt, but a different kind of alarm was screaming in my head.

Chris left? Looking pale?

A sudden, terrible feeling washed over me. Lisa' s eyes were filled with a triumphant, malicious glee. She had done something.

"Where is he?" I demanded, my voice low and dangerous.

She just smiled, a slow, cruel curve of her lips. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Maybe you should go look for your boyfriend."

She turned and sauntered away, disappearing into the crowd.

Panic seized me. I pushed my way through the clusters of guests, my eyes scanning a sea of faces. He wasn't in the ballroom. He wasn't in the main hall.

My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic, terrified beat. Where was Chris? What had she done to him?