Chapter 446
Chapter 446:
Silas Thorne sat in a high-backed velvet chair by the fire. He was an old man, his skin like crumpled parchment, but his eyes were sharp, clear, and black as coal. He held a heavy ebony cane in one hand, tapping it rhythmically against the floor.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
He didn’t look up as we entered.
Alistair walked us right up to the fireplace. He stood tall, shoulders squared.
“Grandfather,” Alistair announced, his voice echoing in the large room. “She’s free p>
Silas stopped tapping.
He turned his head slowly. His gaze swept over Alistair, dismissing him, then locked onto me.
It felt like being scanned by an X-ray machine. He studied my face, my posture, my hands. He was evaluating my worth. He was looking for weakness.
I didn’t flinch. I straightened my spine, lifted my chin, and met his gaze head-on. I had died once; an old man with a stick wasn’t going to intimidate me.
Silence stretched for ten agonizing seconds. The crackle of the fire sounded like gunshots.
Suddenly, Silas lifted his cane and slammed it down on the floor.
BANG.
I jumped internally, but my face remained impassive.
“Took you long enough,” Silas grumbled. His voice was like gravel grinding together.
He pointed the cane at the empty velvet chair opposite him.
“Sit,” he commanded. “Miss Sterling p>
Miss Sterling. Not “girl,” not “woman.” It was a start.
The air rushed out of my lungs. I glanced at Alistair. He was smirking, clearly pleased with himself.
I sat down. The chair was enormous, swallowing me.
“I have been watching the markets,” Silas said, his eyes still fixed on me. “Oracle Holdings. I know who you are, child. The whole world knows you founded the company. But it was that land acquisition in the West Harbor district three months ago that caught my attention. Everyone said you were mad p>
“Everyone lacks vision,” I replied calmly. “The government rezoning project was announced yesterday. That land is now worth ten times what I paid p>
Silas’s lips twitched. It might have been a smile. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
𝖵erіf𝗶𝖾𝖽 𝘤о𝗇tе𝗇𝘁 𝘰𝗇 𝗯е.𝗰о𝗺
“A clever move. But it was the way you structured the deal. Using ‘Pythia Ventures’ as a shell to bypass the antitrust regulators before merging it back into Oracle… that was masterful. You hide your intentions well, child. I have eyes everywhere, and even I almost missed that play p>
I relaxed slightly. He wasn’t surprised by my identity; he was impressed by my tactics.
“A Thorne needs a partner who can keep secrets,” Silas said, leaning back. “The Kensingtons breed pets. Decorative. Useless. You…” He leaned forward. “You have fangs. I like fangs p>
Alistair stepped behind my chair, resting his hands on my shoulders. “She has more than fangs, Grandfather. She has the kill instinct p>
Silas nodded. He clapped his wrinkled hands together. The sound was sharp.
The butler appeared instantly from the shadows, holding a thick, leather-bound planner.
“We need a party,” Silas declared. “An engagement party p>
“We were planning to just sign the papers,” I started to say.
“Nonsense!” Silas barked. “We do not hide in the dark like rats. We are Thornes. When we claim something, we shout it to the heavens p>
“Not just a party,” Alistair corrected, looking at the planner. “A statement p>
Silas nodded vigorously. “Invitations to the top five hundred families. International press. The Governor. The Mayor p>
“Isn’t that too fast?” I asked, feeling the train leaving the station without me. “I just got the settlement signed an hour ago p>