Page 93 of Forbidden Deception

“As I have said, there has been a breach in the company, and we aim to evaluate and take care of it soon using CCTV footage. Whoever has leaked the designs will be dealt with according to the Gustav Industry protocol, and under section three, paragraph four of the agreement every employee signs, they are to be terminated immediately and will be unable to join any subsidiaries of Gustav Industries.” I keep my eyes on Dakota. Somewhere deep down, I knew it was her.

It fucking hurts to know it was her.

Her smirk drops, and everyone turns to me.

“I assure you, the projects made in Gustav Industries remain our intellectual property. Our unique style is known globally. Leaked designs mean nothing when everyone is aware of who has produced them. While these sketches have been leaked, we can surely produce more with no trouble. This meeting was purely for my evaluation for being granted the title of Chief Executive Officer.” With a nod, I step back. “Thank you for your time.”

Only when I walk out do I release a long breath and quickly head back to my office. The decision will be sent to my email in the upcoming days.

Shortly after, Mikko and Dad walk in, matching smirks on their faces.

“What is it?”

Mikko shrugs, and Dad drops his smirk. Are they plotting something again?

“Want to go for some drinks?” Dad offers, and I hesitantly nod.

“I just need to finish this evaluation report, then I will be out.”

***

“Mum isn’t picking up her phone,” I mutter quietly.

We are all celebrating my new position as CEO of Gustav Industries. Soon Dad will retire and sign over the whole conglomerate company to me, making me the majority owner, with Mikko, Eiran, and Khyros also owning shares in it.

“I don’t think she will,” Mikko slurs and takes out his phone.

As soon as my eyes fall on the screen, my head snaps to Dad, who is slumped on a chair in our living room, snoring away.

“Mikko?”

“Oh, fuck her! What a gold-digging bitch. How dare she cheat on Dad with her wrinkly ass. Good thing we don’t share her blood. Eiran and Khyros won’t turn out like her because they care about you, but to have her act like this to you all these years? Pathetic, really,” Mikko says quietly, gesturing wildly.

“I know. She should have considered Eiran and Khyros. They’re still so young,” I grumble out, taking another sip of my drink.

“With how tragically Mum died at your birth, Dakota thought it was her best chance to go from maid to the queen of the household. She’s as good as dead. When Dad saw that she—” A thump follows, then Mikko face-plants on the floor.

I wait for him to get up. He doesn’t

“But!” he screams, raising his hand only. “But Dad saw how upset you were. She crossed a line when she stole and sold your designs. That was it for him. Removed. Gone. Erased. Deleted. Nothing to worry about now, Rafael.” His hand drops back on the floor, then his own snoring fills the room.

Gone? Erased?

My heart races as I bend down to grab Mikko’s phone. I scroll through his gallery to find a picture of a burning car.

Quickly opening his messages, I try to find who sent him the pictures. They were from an unknown number with the message ‘Done’ under it.

Did they… kill Dakota?

They killed Dakota Gustav? They killed Dad’s second wife?

I look up at the sleeping figures of my dad and older brother.

My blood runs cold.

Why did they do that?

Have they always conspired together to do things like this?

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