“Doesn’t matter how,” Seb cuts in smoothly, voice a shade darker. “I’m not here to play catch-up.”
A cold shiver skims my arms, and I rub them quietly. Not because I’m scared. But because I’venever seen someone take control of a room so effortlessly. Seb wasn’t always like this. And not even Levi’s father could manage this kind of still power.
Seb leans forward, all traces of charm evaporated. “We—well,you—need to file a suit. Against Gareth, Thomas, Odette, and Charles.”
Levi’s eyes widen. “Charles? Charles Gaither? That’s… he’s just a silent shareholder.”
“Not just going after them. I’m gutting them out of the company. Well…youare.”
I suck in a breath, the math unfolding in my head like muscle memory. “That’s… nearly 28% of Astor Holdings’ board-controlled shares.”
Levi turns to me, and I see that flicker—he’d reached the same number.
Seb nods. “Twenty-seven point eight, to be exact. But once we apply the hostile activity clause—yes, it exists, you’re welcome—and wrap in the personal liability disclosures they all signed five years ago during the Tanaka acquisition… Levi, their votes default to you. Temporarily. Then, hopefully permanently. But that’s a problem for another day.”
I stare at him, every word thudding into place like a court summons in my brain. “We can do that?”
He lifts a brow, smirking. “Yep.”
Levi lets out a slow exhale, his gaze somewhere between horror and relief. “Jesus.”
Seb flashes him a grin.
But there’s still a cold weight in my belly. Like even winning this will leave a stain.
Seb stretches out a leg, casual again. “Ask your EA to arrange an emergency board meeting, Levi. Two days from now. No exceptions. Taewon can handle it, easy.”
Levi nods. “Alright.”
“And what exactly will the meeting be about?” I ask, not bothering to mask my wariness.
Seb smiles, all teeth and velvet. “Oh, you know. Just some fun times.”
I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be reassured or terrified.
The conversation keeps going—Seb detailing timelines, steps, what the lawsuits will need. I nod when I have to. Levi grunts in agreement. But my body is already somewhere else, running simulations. Trying to decide how much of this is salvageable. If Wentworth can even survive this scandal since being wrapped up with Astor Holdings.
Finally, Sebastian stands. “No more surprises today,” he says softly, and for the first time, I wonder if he’s trying to comfort me or warn me. Or if he’s perhaps controlling the complete narrative now.
He turns to Levi and offers his hand. Levi takes it after a heartbeat, their grip silent but steel-strong.
“Keep her safe,” Seb murmurs, then leans down and kisses the top of my head with the familiarity of someone who used to be close. Then just walks out.
The door clicks behind him, and for several long seconds, neither of us move.
I feel Levi shift beside me, his hand rubbing on my lower back. “So that happened.”
I press my fingers to my temple. “Yeah.”
??????
“I, uh… I don’t know why I’m here?”
I hear Iris near the boardroom—her voice almost tiny, like it’s filtered through a haze. And honestly?Same.
She’s supposed to be handing over the account to that Jude guy today. But I don’t know why she’s here either. From the way she said it… looks like she doesn’t know either.
The meeting’s about to begin. The emergency board meeting Sebastian had us arrange. No one’s been briefed. No one knows what’s coming. Except for me and Levi.
