The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 100

Chapter 100

“I’ve considered your proposal,” he announced without reamble, closing the door behind him.

I set aside my tablet, straightening my posture. “And?”

“I agree that the Hampton beach house should rightfully be yours.” He began pacing. “But there’s a complication. Victoria used it as collateral for a loan the company needed.”

“I find that hard to believe,” I replied, keeping my voice level. “The Harper Group is ranked in the top 200

on the Forbes list. Surely you could resolve a mortgage on one beach house.”

William’s expression darkened. “We’re facing difficulties with digital transformation. The Blake investment

is critical for us now.” He ran a hand through his silver hair. “After the wedding, I’ll find a way to-”

“Like you promised four years ago?” I cut him off. “When you said I could always stay at Mom’s beach

house, but then let Scarlett turn it into her weekend party venue?” The bitterness I’d been suppressing

bubbled to the surface. “Your promises don’t mean much these days, Dad.”

His face cycled through shades of red and white, but he had no response. Without another word, he turned

and stormed out, slamming the door hard enough to rattle the paintings on my wall.

I waited, counting to thirty before silently approaching the door. Through the crack, I could hear William

and Victoria talking in hushed, urgent tones in the hallway.

“Never bring this up again,” my father said, his voice tight with frustration. “She’s more difficult than I

anticipated.”

“It’s because she’s exactly like Elizabeth,” he continued, his words piercing my heart. “Hard as steel,

completely unsentimental.”

Victoria’s voice was soothing, calculated. “Don’t worry, darling. There are other ways to make her

cooperate.”

I leaned against the door frame, tears threatening at the corners of my eyes. The comparison to my mother

should have been a compliment, but in my father’s voice, it was an indictment. I swallowed hard, forcing

back the emotion. This wasn’t the time for tears–it was time for strategy.

Sleep evaded me that night. I sat by my window, watching the city lights flicker across Manhattan’s skyline,

each glimmer like a thought dancing through my mind. The beach house wasn’t just property–it was the

last tangible piece of my mother I had left. In its sunlit ooms and weathered deck boards lived my memories of her: teaching me to swim, reading books on rainy afternoons, laughing as we built sandcastles that the tide would inevitably claim.

I traced the outline of my mother’s photograph on my ghtstand. “They won’t take this from me too, I whispered to her smiling face.

As dawn broke over the city, casting my bedroom in pale gold, I finalized my mental checklist. Today’s wedding was merely a chess move–appearing the dutif daughter while positioning my pieces for the real game. My white dress would be armor, my smile a weapon. Let Victoria and Scarlett believe they had won. Let my father think I had surrendered.

On the morning of the wedding, I descended the grand taircase in Pierre Montagne’s custom wedding

gown, the Tiffany blue diamond necklace catching the morning light streaming through the tall windows.

My hair was swept up in an elegant chignon, exactly as the wedding planner had suggested.

At the bottom of the stairs stood Scarlett, wearing a white dress so similar to mine in style that it could

only be deliberate. The difference was in the quality–hers was clearly a last–minute knockoff, lacking the craftsmanship of my designer gown.

“Oh my God,” she gasped with obviously fake surprise.” had no idea our dresses would be so similar!”

William entered from the dining room, glancing between us. His eyes lingered on Scarlett, his expression

softening in a way it never did for me. “You both look beautiful. There’s no need to change.”

The implication was clear–he was refusing to ask Scarlett to back down.

I slipped on my oversized Chanel sunglasses, a smile playing at my lips. “You’re right, Dad. We’re definitely

not wearing the same thing.” I looked directly at Scarlett. “After all, this face makes all the difference.”

Without waiting for a response, I walked toward the door, the soft swish of my gown punctuating my exit.

Through the reflection in the glass door, I could see Scarlett trembling with rage, her perfectly arranged

facade cracking at the seams.