"William, you owe her your life. Why should my blood and sweat be the currency you pay it back with?" I pointed at the door. "The patent stays with me. Tomorrow, I'll see you at the courthouse."
"Seraphina!" William's composure shattered completely. "Don't push your luck! Without the Stephens family, you can't even afford to raise that child! I'm giving you one night to think it over. Tomorrow at the Stephens Group IPO gala, I expect you to bring the patent authorization and apologize to Alma in person. Otherwise, you will never see me again."
He slammed the door on his way out.
Quinn emerged from the shadows, his gaze cutting like a blade in the direction William had gone.
"Should I break his leg, Miss Ashford?"
"Not yet." I walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and watched William's car disappear into the night. "Quinn, did you finish looking into how Alma supposedly saved him?"
Quinn handed me a file, the faintest trace of a cold smile at the corner of his mouth. "It's all here. The car accident five years ago was staged. Alma hired people to arrange the whole thing. She barely got a scratch, then faked a disability to guilt-trip William for half a decade."
I took the file and drew a long breath.
William, the debt you're so proud of repaying is nothing but a joke from start to finish.
Tomorrow, I'll make you watch your faith crumble with your own eyes.
The following evening. The InterContinental Hotel, the most luxurious venue in Crestfield.
Stephens Group's IPO gala was in full swing.
The ballroom was packed with the city's elite. William stood on stage in a bespoke suit, radiating confidence, every inch the conquering king.
Alma stood beside him in a stunning evening gown, positioned like the lady of the house, basking in a chorus of flattery.
"Thank you all for joining us at the Stephens Group celebration." William raised his glass with a polished smile. "Tonight, I also have an important announcement. Stephens Group will be acquiring a revolutionary medical patent, and the holder of that patent is none other than Miss Alma Harding, standing right here beside me. Going forward, she will serve as Chief Technology Officer of Stephens Medical Technologies."
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
Alma lowered her head with a demure smile, her eyes blazing with ambition.
BANG.
The heavy double doors of the banquet hall were shoved open from outside.