Page 8 of Cruel Hero

“It’s a risky move, Tiffany. The board won’t take kindly to an outsider stepping into the CEO role, especially not someone from the Hawthorne family. They’ll see it as a power grab.”

“Then we’ll make them see it differently. You’re about to be part of this family officially. It’ll be a good move to present it as a strategic alliance rather than a takeover. A partnership between two of Empire Heights’ most influential families. The board might resist at first, but if we frame it as a way to stabilize Carter Corp and protect their investments, they’ll come around. They’re practical people at the end of the day.”

“The board meeting is tomorrow, and you’re proposing this now?” Alexander shakes his head, but there’s a spark of interest in his eyes, a hint of the ambitious man beneath the polished exterior. “You don’t do things by halves, do you?”

“There’s no time for halves. Uncle Dean left us with a mess, and if we don’t act quickly, it’ll only get worse. The board meeting is our chance to take control before someone else does.”

“Olivia will hate the idea. She’s already carrying so much, and this—this would thrust her into the middle of a corporate battle she didn’t ask for.”

“She’ll understand. She has to. This isn’t just about me or you—it’s about survival, the future of Carter Corporation.”

Alexander studies me for a long moment, his gray eyes sharp and calculating. I can almost see the gears turning in his mind, weighing the risks and rewards, the potential fallout. Finally, he nods, a slow, decisive movement that sends a rush of relief through me.

“Alright,” he says. “But we do this together. Every step of the way. You handle Olivia—I’ll handle my father. If we’re going to pull this off, we need to be united. No hesitation, no second-guessing.”

“Agreed,” I say firmly, though my heart is pounding in my chest. This is it—the first real step toward reclaiming control of our lives, of Carter Corporation, toward forging a path that’s entirely our own. But I’ll need to convince everyone else it’s the right move.

“I’ll talk to Olivia in the morning,” I add. “She deserves to hear it from me first.”

Chapter 5

Tiffany

“Did you get any rest last night?” Olivia asks the next morning.

I glance up from the kitchen counter, where I’m pouring myself a second cup of coffee. My sister stands in the doorway, her hair pulled into a sleek ponytail, her eyes sharp and assessing despite the early hour. She’s already dressed for the day in a tailored blouse and pencil skirt, the epitome of composure. I, however, barely slept, my thoughts still tangled in the conversation with Alexander.

“A little,” I lie, stirring sugar into my coffee. “You?”

She raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but doesn’t press further. Instead, she crosses the room and begins rummaging through the pantry for her favorite tea. “Alexander told me that the two of you had a serious conversation last night.”

“We did,” I admit, bracing myself for the inevitable. I take a sip of coffee, the bitter warmth doing little to steady my nerves.

Olivia pulls out a box of green tea and turns to face me. “About what?”

I set my mug down and meet her gaze head-on. There’s no point in delaying this. “About Carter Corporation.”

“What about Carter Corporation?”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. “With Uncle Dean gone, the company needs strong leadership. The board is getting restless, and if we don’t act quickly, they’ll they’ll start deciding for us. I... I offered Alexander the CEO position—interim, of course—until we can stabilize things.”

For a moment, Olivia says nothing. She simply stares at me, her face unreadable. Then, slowly, she sets the box of tea on the counter and takes a step closer. “You did what?”

“I offered him the position,” I repeat, my voice firmer now. “Olivia, listen—he knows how to navigate the corporate world, and he’s been groomed for leadership his entire life. This could be our chance to show the board that we’re serious about moving forward.”

Olivia’s lips press into a thin line, a storm brewing behind her brown eyes. She crosses her arms over her chest, her posture rigid. “You didn’t think to discuss this with me first?” Her voice is calm, but there’s an undercurrent of anger that I can’t ignore.

“We don’t have time for discussions. The board is already making moves. If we don’t act now, we risk losing control of the company entirely. Alexander is our best option.”

“Our best option? You’re talking about handing over control of our family’s legacy to my fiancé without so much as a conversation with me. Do you have any idea how this looks? How it feels?”

“It’s not ideal,” I admit, my voice softening as I step closer to her. “But Olivia, this isn’t about us—it’s about the company. It’s about protecting our legacy. Alexander’s influence will help us navigate this transition. And he agreed to take the position only if you approved.”

Olivia shakes her head slowly. “Do I have a choice?”

“Of course, you do. Please think about it. I know this is a lot to ask, but this is the most sensible course of action right now—it’s Alexander or someone from current management. And I don’t trust anyone else to take on this role at the moment. But I need to know if you’re okay with all of this.”

Her shoulders tense as she stares out the kitchen window. The morning light catches the gold in her hair, but her expression is shadowed. “If you are certain that this is the right path, then I’ll support it.”

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