Chapter 3

Liam brought Serena into my office while I was reviewing a secondary compound analysis report on Southeast Asian herbs.

"Ava, walk Serena through the core chapters of the IPO prospectus."

He leaned both hands on my desk, his tone leaving no room for debate.

"Serena is handling the investor roadshow. Help her polish the presentation."

Serena settled into the leather chair across from me like she owned the place.

"Ava, Liam says you're the best at doing the grunt work."

She pulled a document out of her bag—one that had been rewritten beyond recognition—and tossed it in front of me.

"All those numbers are so boring. I rewrote it as a brand story. Just work the technical data back in somehow."

I opened the so-called proposal.

It was nothing but hollow buzzwords. She had even listed the herbal degradation rate as one hundred percent.

If this ever went public, Holt Group would be fined into bankruptcy by regulators.

"I can't work with this."

"Miss Walsh, biotech isn't luxury retail. Falsifying data is a federal crime."

Serena's face fell instantly.

"Liam, are you hearing this—"

Liam straightened up, clearly displeased, his eyes going cold.

"Ava, don't bring your personal feelings into the office. Serena's family connections will triple Holt Group's market premium."

He came around behind me, leaned down, and spoke quietly into my ear:

"Don't forget—you're still living under this roof. For Noah's sake, you need to let Serena hold this position."

I closed my eyes for a moment.

This wasn't just an assault on my emotions. It was the murder of my professional dignity.

"Fine." I opened my eyes, keeping my voice level.

"I'll rewrite it."

Liam's expression relaxed. He gave my shoulder a satisfied pat.

"Good. There's a charity gala tonight. Serena is attending as co-founder. You'll be there as her accompanying consultant."

At three in the afternoon, Serena arrived with her personal stylist and took over my private lounge like she owned it.

Right in front of me, she changed into a gown covered in diamond fragments.

It was the dress Liam had bought at a Paris auction last year—the one he'd said was my thirtieth birthday gift.

"Ava, this dress fits a little tight. Liam said it was made especially for 'the lady of the house.'"

She turned left and right in front of the mirror, then glanced at my black blazer.

"You look like an office assistant. Noah will be there tonight—don't you want to make a better impression for him?"

When she mentioned Noah, I felt the air go still in my chest.

Liam wanted to parade Noah at the gala to perform the image of a happy family.

"Miss Walsh, a beautiful dress means nothing if the person wearing it can't carry herself. It just looks ridiculous."

I didn't look at her again. I picked up my laptop and walked out.

In the hallway, I dialed a number.

"Get the liquidation team ready. Tonight at the gala, I'm giving Mr. Holt a very special IPO gift."

Three hours later. The charity gala.

Holt Group arrived in full force. Every camera in the room was aimed at Liam and Serena by his side.

The press called them "the golden couple of the investment world."

And I stood in the shadows beyond the lights, holding Noah's hand.

Noah tugged at my sleeve, uneasy.

"Mommy, why won't Daddy hold our hands?"

I crouched down and straightened the bow tie on his little suit.

"Noah, in a little while, watch Mommy do a magic trick."

"When it's done, we'll be free."