Page 87 of Alpha-Ex Wedding Ruse
“You rejected her. You treated her like she was nothing. What the hell do you even want from her now?” He stood, squaring his shoulders, his voice rising. “If not for me, you wouldn’t even know she existed. I brought her into this company. And you took her from me, fully aware that I wanted her—”
“I didn’t take her from you,” I bit out. “She was never yours to begin with.”
Victor let out a bitter laugh. “Maybe not then. But now?” Hesmirked. “She said yes to a second date. Even laughed when I asked. That laugh…it wasn’t forced.”
Second date? They’d gone on a first date?
That did it.
I moved without thought, crossing the room in a single stride and slamming him against the wall. My wolf surged, snarling beneath my skin, demanding I rip that tongue he’d dared to say her name with. He didn’t want a warning; he wanted blood.
The impact shook the shelves. I fisted his collar, breathing hard. But even then, his smirk held.
“Oh, brother,” he drawled. “What would Father say? His golden heir unraveling over a woman. A half blood, no less. And here I thought you were getting married in two weeks.”
My knuckles itched to break his jaw. But I didn’t give him the satisfaction. I shoved him off and took a step back.
“You’re done as CFO of Vaughn Industries.”
That wiped the smugness clean off his face.
“What? You can’t do that—”
“Damn right, I can. I’m CEO!” I roared. “Hand over all your access codes, credentials, and authorization by the end of the day. Effective immediately, Maxwell takes over. You’ll be reporting to him.”
“You want me to answer to that glorified secretary?”
“You should be grateful I’m not firing your ass.”
He looked like he might combust. “You’ll regret this. I swear, Luca—”
“The only thing I regret is ever trusting you with this job.” My voice was ice. “Now. Get. Out.”
He stood there for a moment, seething, eyes narrowed into slits like he was ready to kill me. Then he turned and stormed toward the door.
“And Victor?” I called after him.
He paused, but didn’t turn.
“She’s my Fated Mate. As long as the bond exists, you don’t stand a chance.”
Without another word, he left, slamming the door behind him.
As soon as Victor stormed out, I told my secretary to send for Maxwell. He was the vice CFO—and the best accountant at Vaughn Industries. Smart, precise, loyal. He would’ve been my top pick for CFO if my father hadn’t insisted on keeping it in the family. Not anymore. Not when said family was trying to ruin me.
Maxwell stepped in, visibly tense. “You sent for me, sir.”
“Effective immediately, you’re Chief Financial Officer of Vaughn Industries.”
His eyes widened, like he’d just seen a miracle. “Wh–what about Mr. Victor Vaughn?”
I grimaced at the name. “He’ll be answering to you now.”
He looked like he had more to say—questions crowding behind his eyes—but he bit them back. Instead, he stepped forward and collected the folder I pushed across the table.
“I won’t let you down, Alpha Vaughn.”
I gave him a tight smile. “You better not.”
