Chapter 4

The gala ended in spectacular mutual disgrace. For a full week, the story of how the Ashford second son had been publicly handed off to his own PA dominated every society column in the city. Lily's forum posts became an internet sensation — memed, quoted, and recreated in every format imaginable.

I was too busy to track it. Felix, however, was not.

"She's still posting," he told me one morning, showing me his phone.

Lily's latest update read:

Update: I've submitted my resignation from Holloway Group. For a year, while Jenna was travelling the world, Garrett poured himself into running that company under her name. And this is what he got. I can't watch it anymore. I hear the major projects have been completely paralysed. I hope she knows what she's doing.

Attached to the post: a personal recommendation letter from Garrett, addressed to an Ashford Holdings subsidiary. Lily is my person. Find her something easy. Anything questions, come to me.

The comments were rapturous. That reference letter is giving me life!, The loyalty!!

I shook my head.

None of Lily's followers understood what that letter actually said. Garrett was a second son with no path to the Ashford core assets. He could get her a quiet desk job at a peripheral subsidiary. The main Ashford Holdings building would never let her through the front door.

But I didn't have time to explain. I was very busy.

The break with the Ashfords had created turbulence, naturally. But my father had salted Holloway Group with loyal people long before handing it over to Garrett's care. Restoring normal operations was only a matter of time.

The genuinely stuck projects — several of them, tied directly to Ashford's involvement — were another matter.

Every problem that surfaced gave me more energy, not less. I was thriving.

My father called from France to ask what on earth I was doing.

I sent him the forum screenshots.

"Dad. I'm undoing the mistake I made years ago — the one where I agreed to the Ashford engagement so I wouldn't have to run the company myself."

His laugh, low and deeply satisfied, came down the line. "You've grown up. The Ashfords have been in touch — they want to repair relations. Shall I refuse for you? Are you sure?"

"Absolutely sure. Running Holloway under my own name is about ten times better than being a wife to someone else's mess."

"That's my girl." A pause. "Whatever comes next — be ready."