To outsiders, he might’ve looked like just another aging tycoon, clueless, out of touch with the current situation.
But I knew better.
Everything Edric was doing right now had one purpose: To win back my favor and protect his family, no matter the cost.
I found a good spot in the corner and took a seat, letting New York’s so–called wealthiest man take the stage for a bit.} And to his credit, he didn’t disappoint.
Determined to please me, he completely dropped his usual polished image and began shouting in front of everyone, pointing straight at his son’s secretary.
You! You’re Hayden’s personal secretary, aren’t you? Well, let me make it official, as Chairman of the Cobb Group, you’re fired!”
Then he turned to flash me a polite, almost desperate smile before addressing the whole room again.
“And anyone else here who dares speak disrespectfully to Miss Riley today, you’re gone too. No exceptions.“}
That final sentence was the last straw for Gillian. Her face crumbled.§
But before the room could fully settle, Hayden, still as clueless as ever, stepped forward again.
“Dad, what gives you the right to fire my secretary? She wasn’t wrong! Before you even got here, this woman was threatening to shut down our company! And now you’re siding with her?“{
Even now, with everything crashing down around him, Hayden still genuinely believed that his family was powerful enough to challenge real authority.
Poor guy. He had no idea how badly he’d miscalculated.
Because from beginning to end, the power was never his. Because the future of his family was up to me.§
Edric broke into a cold sweat. Without another word, he rushed over and clamped his hand over his son’s mouth..
“Miss Riley,” he said nervously, “why don’t you just name your price?”
I raised an eyebrow, lips curling into a slow, mocking smile. “Are you seriously trying to settle this with money, Mr. Cobb? Look, I’ve dealt with my fair share of arrogant heirs over the years, but I’ve never met one as out of touch and entitled as your son. If today had happened to anyone else, not someone like me, I bet you wouldn’t even have come in person. Just one phone call, and you’d have swept the whole thing under the rug, right?”
Edric couldn’t even meet my gaze. His hands trembled slightly want to make it right. Please, just say the word, I won’t bargain
as he replied, “Miss Riley, you’re absolutely right. We’re at fault today. I or argue.”
Hayden looked like he’d just witnessed a ghost. He’d never seen the crowd, he blurted out, “Dad! We’ve been here in New York for decades. We know people in high places. How could you just bow your his father lower himself like this before. Trying to save face in front of head to some outsider?”
I met his eyes and spoke slowly, letting the meaning sink in, “So… you still believe your family controls this city, don’t you?”
I might not have been out in the public eye much these last few years, but I’d met enough power players to know that the Cobb family wouldn’t even make the top ten.
Hayden narrowed his eyes, still defiant.
“Listen, Veronica. I’m not as easy to fool as my dad. If yo
down our Group. I’m watching.”
I checked my watch and chuckled softly. “Confidence is brag about, the one you wear like a badge of honor? To
really have what it takes, go ahead and show me how you’re going to take
The moment I finished speaking, Edric’s face turned gho just a cash machine. Nothing more.”
md, Mr. Cobb. But blind confidence? That’s just foolish. This family you always
“Mr. Cobb, I assume you heard every word your son just said, right?”
pale. He opened his mouth to respond, but I raised my hand to cut him off.”
