Diane stepped out of her car gracefully, her cream-colored designer dress flowing around her long legs. Her hair was styled in soft waves, and her makeup was flawlessly professional yet approachable. She carried a small gift bag in one hand and a confident smile on her face.

Amelia had arranged the meeting. "Just go see him," she had said. "He needs someone like you."

Diane took a deep breath and entered the building. Security recognized her immediately as Mrs Amelia as sent her picture to them and escorted her straight to the private elevator leading to Silas’s top-floor office.

When the doors opened, Lena was waiting.

"Miss Diane," Lena said with a polite nod. "Mr. Vane is expecting you. Please follow me."

Diane smiled warmly. "Thank you. I hope I’m not interrupting anything important."

Lena didn’t answer, simply leading her through the luxurious office suite. She knocked once on the heavy oak door before opening it.

Silas sat behind his desk, reviewing documents. He looked up, his expression unreadable.

"Diane," he said flatly, standing up out of basic courtesy. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

Diane stepped inside, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor. She placed the gift bag on the corner of his desk.

"Your mother insisted I come see you," she said with a light, charming laugh. "I brought you some of that aged whiskey you like — from my last trip to Scotland."

Silas glanced at the bag but didn’t touch it. "Take a seat."

Diane sat gracefully in the chair across from him, crossing her legs. "Mrs Vane told me to come see you, but I didn’t come only because of her. I’ve been thinking about you. It’s been years since we last spoke properly. You’ve become even more... impressive."

Silas leaned back in his chair, studying her with cold detachment. "Flattery won’t get you far with me, Diane. What do you really want?"

Diane smiled, undeterred. "Honesty then. I like you, Silas. I always have. You’re brilliant, powerful, and you don’t pretend to be something you’re not. Most men in your position bore me. You don’t."

Silas’s lips twitched in what might have been amusement or disdain. "And you think that’s enough reason for me to entertain this... visit?"

Diane tilted her head, her voice softening. "I’m not asking for marriage tomorrow. Just a chance to have a conversation over a meal. Your mother is worried you’ll end up alone, Silas."

Before Silas could respond, the door opened again. Sylvain entered carrying a tray with fresh coffee, clearly having been summoned earlier. He froze when he saw Diane.

Diane’s eyes flicked to him curiously. "Oh? You have another assistant now?"

Silas’s gaze sharpened. "He’s more than that. Sylvain, leave the tray and wait outside."

Sylvain set the tray down quickly, eyes downcast. "Yes, sir." He left without another word, but not before Diane caught the tension between them.

Once the door closed, Diane raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. He seems... very afraid of you."

Silas took a sip of the fresh coffee. "He knows his place. Unlike some people who think they can walk into my life uninvited."

Diane laughed softly, refusing to be intimidated. "I’m not here to challenge you, Silas. I’m here because I believe we could be good together. You need someone who understands pressure, ambition, and power. I’ve built my own career. I don’t need yours — I just want to share it."

Silas watched her over the rim of his cup. "And what makes you think I want to share anything?"

"Because you’re human," Diane said gently. "Even men like you get lonely. Your mother told me you’ve never brought anyone home. Never introduced a woman to her. Don’t you want a partner? Someone who can stand beside you at events, warm your bed, give you children?"

Silas set the cup down with a soft click. "Children? Heirs? That’s what this is really about, isn’t it? My mother’s obsession with grandchildren."

Diane didn’t deny it. "Partially. But I’m not here only for her. I’m here for me too. I admire you. I want to know the man behind the reputation."

Silas stood up and walked around the desk, stopping in front of her. He leaned down, placing one hand on the arm of her chair.

"Let me be very clear, Diane," he said, voice low and cold. "I don’t need a wife. I don’t need a partner. And I certainly don’t need someone my mother picked out for me. If I ever decide to marry, it will be on my terms. Not yours. Not hers."

Diane looked up at him, unflinching. "And what are your terms, Silas? Because from what I see, you’re building an empire but no legacy."

Silas’s eyes darkened. "My legacy is my business not yours. I don’t need a pretty actress to validate it."

Diane stood up slowly, bringing them face to face. "I’m more than a pretty actress. I’m intelligent, ambitious, and loyal. I could be everything you need — if you’d let me try."

Silas stepped back. "You should leave," he said. "Tell my mother your mission failed."

Diane picked up her bag, but before leaving, she turned back with a soft smile. "I won’t give up so easily and neither should you. Think about it, Silas. A real partnership." She walked out, leaving the door slightly open.

Silas stared after her, jaw tight. He pressed the intercom. "Lena, make sure Miss Diane is escorted out safely and tell Sylvain to come back in."

A few moments later, Sylvain entered, eyes downcast.

Silas pulled him close, gripping his waist possessively. "Did you hear any of that?"

"Enough," Sylvain whispered.

"Good." Silas tilted his chin up. "Remember who you belong to. No matter who my mother throws at me, you are mine to devour."

Sylvain nodded, voice barely audible. "Yes, sir."

Outside the building, Diane slid into her car and immediately called Amelia.

"Mrs Vane, Silas is exactly how you described," she said with a light laugh. "But I’m not giving up. He needs someone like me. I can feel it."

Amelia’s voice came through warmly. "Good. Keep trying, my dear. I’m rooting for you."

Diane smiled as the car pulled away. "Yes, ma’am."

_______

Leon stepped out of the elevator on the top floor of Vane International, his heart hammering against his ribs. Two serious-looking security guards had shown up at the safe house earlier with a message: "Mr. Silas Vane wants to see you. Now."

He had come alone, despite the unease twisting in his gut. Sylvain had been acting strange lately, and Leon needed answers.

The guards led him into a large, intimidating office. Silas sat behind a massive desk like a king on a throne. The moment Leon entered, the temperature in the room seemed to drop.

"Leon Vale," Silas said, his voice smooth but ice-cold. "Sit down."

Leon hesitated but sat in the chair opposite the desk. "Mr. Vane... you wanted to see me?"

Silas leaned back, studying him with predatory intensity. "You’ve been spending a lot of time with someone lately. Santiago is the thing name."

Leon’s eyes widened. "How do you know about that?"

Silas ignored the question. "Your brother never told you about me, did he? About our arrangement?"

Leon frowned, confusion mixing with growing fear. "What arrangement? Sylvain said you’re just a friend he works with. That’s all."

Silas let out a low, humorless laugh. He stood up slowly and walked around the desk, circling Leon like a shark.

"A friend?" Silas stopped directly in front of him. "Your brother sold himself to me, Leon. For three months he is to serve me in exchange for saving your worthless life."

The words hit Leon like a physical blow. He stared up at Silas, mouth open, unable to process what he’d just heard.

"You’re lying," Leon whispered, voice cracking. "Sylvain would never... he wouldn’t do that."

"Oh, but he did," Silas continued mercilessly, leaning down so their faces were close. "He signed the contract willingly. Got on his knees for me. Let me use him however I wanted. All because he couldn’t bear the thought of losing his precious little brother. Pathetic, isn’t it?"

Tears welled up in Leon’s eyes. "No... stop. Please stop. This isn’t funny."

Silas grabbed Leon’s chin roughly, forcing him to look up. "Does this look like I’m joking? Your brother has been warming my bed. Letting me mark him, all for an ingrate like you. Every time he cries, every time he begs, it’s because of you."

Leon’s whole body started shaking. Tears spilled down his cheeks. "Why are you telling me this? Why would you—"

"Because you need to understand," Silas hissed. "You’ve been prancing around with Santiago, thinking you’re safe. Thinking you can have a normal life. But your brother belongs to me. And if you keep meeting that man, if you keep making trouble, I will destroy both of you."

Leon tried to pull away, but Silas’s grip was iron. "Please... let me go. I need to talk to Sylvain. This can’t be true."

"It is true," Silas said coldly. "And if you breathe a word of this to anyone especially Santiago — I will make sure your brother suffers in ways you can’t even imagine. I’ll keep him locked away. I’ll break him until there’s nothing left of the brother you remember. Do you understand me?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Leon was sobbing now, shoulders shaking violently. "Why are you doing this? He’s my brother... he’s all I have..."