Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 204

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Chapter 204

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Chapter 204

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Chairman Greene.. CEO Wallace.”

Ashton’s voice was casual, controlled. He gave a slight tilt of his head-polite, but without deference.

“The honor is ours, CEO Ashton Pierce.”

Zandrie answered smoothly, stepping in without hesitation, fully aware Cassie had yet to recover from the shock.

This wasn’t something they had expected. Not his presence and certainly not the way the Petrov men received him.

There was no formality in their tone, expected for business associates. The exchanges carried fartiliarity, ease. It wasn’t just simple association.

They knew him, and Cassie felt it immediately. And yet, no matter how she tried to speam, she couldn’t find her voice. The words wouldn’t come. It was as if the moment had stripped her of them entirely

Ashton didn’t speak again right away. His attention stayed on her. Steady. Measured.

His gaze lingered longer than it should have-long enough to be noticed. Then he looked away.

Vasili was already watching him.

“What stake has Malakai Group offered?”

The question came clean, direct, cutting through whatever tension remained from his arrival.

“Total control,” Vasili replied, leaning back in his chair as if the matter were already settled.

A brief pause.

“Total control?” Ashton repeated, his eyes narrowing slightly. His gaze shifted across the table, measuring the others, weighing the statement.

“Madame Chairman has agreed to full compliance with the Petrov’s terms,” Samuel added, his attention fixed on Ashton, watching for any reaction.

The room fell quiet again. Waiting.

“Chairman Greene is prepared to give up a multi-billion conglomerate to atone for one man’s betrayal,” Denver said, leaning back slightly. There was a trace of admiration in his tone, though it didn’t soften his expression.

“That’s… rare.”

“Total control,” Vasili continued, his gaze steady on Ashton.

“In exchange for the safety of Malakai Group’s employees.”

A brief pause.

“And the preservation of its name.”

His eyes flicked, briefly, toward Cassie before returning to Ashton.

“The company carries her son’s name,” he added.

“That, above all, is non-negotiable.”

The weight of the terms settled over the table. Not just business. Personal.

Silence took over the room.

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Chapter Jod

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Ashton held Vasili’s gaze without shifting, calm and steady, as if the pressure in the room didn’t concern him. Around them, no one spoke. They were waiting for a decision, for a shift, for him.

“What’s been decided? Ashton asked at last, his fone casual. He leaned back slightly, still not looking away from Vasili

“Nothing yet,” Vasili replied with a small shrug, just as composed.

A brief pause.

“What do you suggest?” he added, his eyes sharpening as ke studied Ashton more closely.

Ashton didn’t react right away. Not to the question, not to the attention. Then he let out a quiet scoff.

“All the documents you need are already in front of you,” he said.

“And haven’t you already made your decision–before I even walked in, CEO Wright?” His voice remained even. Unbothered.

Vasili held his gaze while Ashton didn’t look away.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The room stayed still, everyone watching the quiet standoff unfold-no raised voices, no movement, just two men testing where the other stood.

Then Vasili spoke.

“Then I’ll leave Malakai Group under your management-once Petrov Petroleum assumes control.”

His tone was even. Professional. As if the decision had already been settled.

A soft click broke the silence. Ashton’s tongue against his teeth. Small-but deliberate. A challenge.

“So Petrov Petroleum taking over Malakai Group?” Ashton scoffed, leaning back in his chair, letting it tilt slightly as he

balanced it with ease.

“Really, CEO Wright? That’s the best solution you can come up with?”

Ashton’s tone wasn’t raised, but the challenge in it was clear.

Vasili didn’t react.

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