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The grandfather clock in the master hallway chimed 2:00 AM. In the absolute silence of the Vale estate, I slipped out of my twin-sized guest bed—twenty feet away from Adrian’s sprawling king suite—and knelt beside the loose floorboard in the closet. / Chapter 3 / 10

Chapter 3 - The Boardroom AmbushThe glass-walled conference room on the 40th floor of Vale Tower was dead silent.

Uncle Richard, the head of the dissident faction, leaned back in his leather chair with a smirk. "Adrian, your reckless bachelor lifestyle and this sudden, unverified marriage to a nobody are tanking our stock. We are calling an emergency vote of no confidence."

Vanessa Cross sat right beside him, flashing a triumphant smile. She had spent millions buying up proxy shares just for this moment.

"We need a CEO who represents stability," Vanessa purred, adjusting her designer blazer. "Not a man who drags a thrift-store ghost into high society."

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Adrian sat at the head of the table like a cold statue, completely unfazed. He didn't blink. He didn't flinch.

Until the heavy double doors flew open.

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