Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 88

Chapter 88

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“Cassie–what are you saying?!” Mirriam cried, panic rising in her voice as all attention snapped toward

her.

“Isn’t that what you told me?” Cassie asked innocently, her voice trembling just enough to sound wounded.

“You said you’d become CEO Wallace’s wife once he divorced me. That you deserved his billions–not me.”

“Mirriam,” Red Knowles growled under his breath, fury tightening his jaw as he sensed Jefferson Holt’s attention hardening.

“Dad… I–I didn’t-” Mirriam stammered, but the words failed her completely.

“Such audacity,” Jefferson muttered, half–amused, half–disbelieving.

“This is merely a misunderstanding between my daughters,” Red said hastily, bowing his head slightly.

“Please allow me to resolve this as a family matter, CEO Holt.”

“You’d better,” Jefferson replied coolly.

“I don’t tolerate schemes–especially not from business partners. I value integrity. Personal affairs are irrelevant to me, as long as they don’t threaten business interests.”

“I assure you,” Red said quickly, “I will deal appropriately with whoever caused this misunderstanding.”

Cassie watched the Knowles family stand rigid under Jefferson Holt’s cold scrutiny–and she didn’t bother hiding her smile.

She wore her triumph like a crown as her gaze flicked to Mirriam, then to Rima. Neither dared retaliate- not with Jefferson Holt’s sharp eyes trained on them.

Even her father saw it–the quiet, deliberate display of victory. Yet with both CEO Wallace and CEO Holt watching him closely, he could do nothing but swallow his anger and pacify the situation, no matter how badly he wanted to reprimand her.

“Tonight is a celebration,” Red added quickly.

“Let the past rest. It’s time to enjoy the evening.”

His warning glance toward Rima and Mirriam made one thing painfully clear, they messed up big time.

But Mirriam merely frowned, discreet yet unmistakable, unable to accept that Cassie had won. Her glare cut sharply toward her sister, jaw clenched as she struggled to contain her simmering fury.

Then-

“CEO Knowles, CEO Ashton Pierce has arrived.”

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The tense silence fractured as one of the event organizers announced Ashton’s arrival.

Mirriam straightened instantly, her spine rigid, her expression smoothing into practiced composure. At the mention of Ashton Pierce, her mood visibly lifted. Despite the cold distance he had placed between them–despite his deliberate indifference–she clung to hope.

There was still a chance. All she had to do was earn his favor. And, of course, eliminate the thorn in her side–Cassidy.

While Mirriam’s thoughts raced with calculated plans on how to charm Ashton tonight, Cassie and Zandrie exchanged a brief, loaded glance. Cassie’s nerves tightened at the sound of his name, her fingers curling slightly at her side. Zandrie caught it immediately and shot her a subtle warning look.

“CEO Ashton Pierce is a key partner,” Red Knowles said quickly, eager to steer the conversation.

“He owns seven percent of Knowles Corporation and is one of the most prominent business figures in Bay City.”

“Pierce Corporation?” Jefferson Holt murmured, interest sparking in his eyes.

“I’ve heard of it. A titan in automobile manufacturing and hotel chains.”

“Yes, Pierce Corporation,” Red nodded enthusiastically.

“At last,” Jefferson said with a rare hint of excitement, “I’ll finally meet the man behind this country’s self- driving vehicle innovation.”

“Here he is,” Red announced, gesturing toward the approaching figure.

Ashton Pierce moved through the crowd with an imposing ease–tall, confident, his presence commanding attention without effort. Cassie watched him approach, his familiar bearing sending an unexpected jolt through her chest.

Then realization struck her.

Sharp. Immediate. Dreadful.

And far too late to stop what was about to happen.

“CEO Holt,” Red said briskly, oblivious to the shift in the air, “may I introduce CEO Ashton Pierce of Pierce Corporation. CEO Pierce, this is CEO Jefferson Holt of Holt Corporation–our new partner.”

Ashton extended his hand calmly. “CEO Holt.”

Jefferson accepted the handshake, his gaze lingering, contemplative.

“Have we met before?” Jefferson asked slowly. “You seem… familiar.”

Ashton smiled politely. “The business world is rather small, CEO Holt. We may have crossed paths at conventions or industry events, though I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced.”

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