The Heiress He Underestimated novel Chapter 187

Chapter 187 Sentiment For A Corpse

Elera,

Finished

Word has reached me of your husband’s unfortunate and rapid decline. My condolences, though I’m sure you understand they are not heartfelt.

It appears your celebrated genius has its limits. A pity. I had hoped his money would keep you afloat a little longer, for my own purposes. But a sinking ship is of no use to anyone.

This presents an opportunity. For you. Your little reveals, while flashy, have left you exposed. The business world admires spectacle, but it respects power. And you, my dear, are about to be powerless again.

I am prepared to be magnanimous. Divorce and take all the dying man money. Return to the family fold. Publicly reconcile with me. In return, I will protect what’s left of your companies from the vultures already circling. You can remain a figurehead, comfortable and quiet.

Consider it. You have one week before his condition becomes public knowledge (and it will), and your value plummets accordingly. Don’t let sentiment for a corpse ruin what you’ve built.

Your Father

The room was silent for a beat.

Then Clara snorted. “Wow. ‘Don’t let sentiment for a corpse ruin what you’ve built.’ That’s almost poetically nasty. He’s really leaning into the villainy role, isn’t he? No subtlety at all.”

Elera felt cold rage, clean and sharp. He was so sure. So arrogantly confident in his stolen information. He was already measuring the drapes in her boardrooms.

Drakonius took the letter from her, read it, and a slow, terrifying smile spread across his face. It was the smile he’d worn when he’d threatened Xan. The “I’m about to ruin your life” smile.

“Magnanimous,” he murmured. “How… generous of him”

“He’s making his play,” Frost said. “He thinks you’re weak. He’s offering what he thinks is a lifeline, but it’s really a leash. He wants control of your brands, your legitimacy, without the hassle of a fight.”

“He wants to own the Triple Threat‘ story,” Elera said, the pieces clicking. “The proud father welcoming back his prodigal, humbled daughter. It would cement his story, make him the star of my comeback. He’d get the credit, the access, the money.”

“And all you have to do is throw me overboard,” Drakonius said, his smile turning razor–sharp. “What a tempting offer.”

“What do we do?” Clara asked, all joking aside now.

“We reply,” Elera said, her own voice gaining a steely edge. “But not with words.”

Simon sent the next report, coded with Frost’s help to sound even more panicked.

Subject has lapsed into a coma. Dr. Mystral is attempting experimental stimulants, but hope is fading. Estate

IVIUIT, AP

Chapter 187 Sentiment For A Corpse

lawyers have been discreetly contacted. Expect terminal event within 48-72 hours.

It was the bait. The final piece of the story.

Finished

They waited. The house was on full, silent lockdown. Frost’s team was positioned everywhere, invisible. Anya had been sent to a secure hotel with a generous bonus and a request for a week’s vacation. Only the core group remained.

Elera and Drakonius sat in the library, pretending to be calm. Clara was a bundle of nervous energy, rearranging books by color “to channel the anxiety into something productive.”

“What if he doesn’t take the bait?” she whispered, placing a red spine next to an orange one. “What if he just waits for the fake news of your death?”

“He won’t,” Drakonius said, his eyes on the security monitors Frost had set up on a side screen. “He’s not patient. And he’s greedy. He won’t just want to hear I’m dead. He’ll want to see it. To confirm it. To maybe even… hasten it, if he can. To make sure there are no last minute recoveries that spoil his plans for Elera.”

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