Still, she composed herself and respectfully kowtowed, paying homage to his ancestors.
Alaric's expression was solemn as he spoke. "Dad, I found her. You don't have to worry anymore. From now on, I won't be alone."
Seeing him like this made Emerald's heart ache with jealousy—not of him, but for him.
Her childhood had been difficult, but so had his.
Nothing in this world came easy.
No one knew exactly what Alaric had done, but whatever it was, it ensured that no one in the Corrigan dared to humiliate her.
It was much later that Emerald learned the truth.
Alaric had gone to the board meeting alone, carrying a thick stack of documents—evidence that exposed the darkest secrets of the board members and their immediate families.
He had uncovered their weaknesses, how they had used their own sons as pawns, stepping over the bodies of fallen heirs to seize power.
And once he had leverage over them, resistance was no longer an option.
