Chapter 10
576words
The top floor of Grant Group Tower, the CEO's office.
I sat in the leather chair that symbolized absolute power, gazing at the forest of skyscrapers beyond my window.
The entire city sprawled at my feet.
My son, Nathan Grant, took wobbly steps across the plush carpet.
He looked more like Ethan every day.
Especially those eyes—bright and determined.
"Mama… up!" He reached toward me with pudgy hands, tottering in my direction.
I scooped him up and pressed a kiss to his rosy cheek.
My kingdom. My heir.
A knock sounded at my door.
My assistant—sharp, capable, handpicked by me—entered.
"Ms. Lane, the Wilson Group acquisition attempt has completely collapsed. They've dumped all their Grant shares, and our stock is rebounding strongly."
"Good," I replied coolly. I'd expected nothing less.
"And," she hesitated slightly, "those people from the Lane family are here again. Making a scene in the lobby, demanding to see you."
The Lane family.
How distant and meaningless those words had become.
Since I'd taken control of Grant, my mother and brother had appeared repeatedly like flies drawn to fresh meat.
They wept and wailed about family ties and not forgetting my roots.
I hadn't seen them once.
I simply had security throw them out like garbage.
"Call the police," I said coldly. "Report them for attempted extortion."
"Yes, Ms. Lane."
She left promptly.
I looked down at my son and spoke softly:
"Remember this, my darling. In this world, there are no permanent families—only permanent interests. Anyone who isn't useful is your enemy. And with enemies, never show mercy."
He giggled, his eyes bright with innocent incomprehension.
My desk phone rang.
William Grant's private care facility.
"Ms. Lane, he's failing rapidly. The end is near."
I hung up without expression.
William's health had deteriorated steadily all year.
He'd pinned all his hopes on Nathan.
Yet he resented and feared me—the woman who'd used his own bloodline to seize his power.
Ours was a twisted relationship of mutual exploitation and constant vigilance.
He taught me to run the company and wield power.
I gave him the continuation of his bloodline.
Now the old fox was finally dying.
I brought Nathan to the sanatorium.
Death hung heavy in the room.
William Grant was a skeleton draped in skin, tubes snaking from every part of his body.
When he saw Nathan, a faint spark lit his clouded eyes.
"Nathan…" He struggled to reach toward my son.
I stepped closer, holding Nathan within reach.
With his last strength, he grasped my son's tiny hand.
"Good boy… Grandfather leaves… everything… to you…"
His hand fell limp.
The monitor flatlined with a steady tone.
William Grant was gone.
The titan who'd dominated business for half a century had taken his final bow.
I watched dispassionately, feeling nothing.
I turned and carried Nathan from the room.
Brilliant sunlight flooded the corridor's end.
A new era had dawned.
The era of Olivia Lane.
I'd been sold for my womb, used as a breeding vessel, abandoned by everyone.
Now I'd reclaimed everything—and more.
My body. My child. My dignity.
And an empire beyond my wildest dreams.
I gazed down at my sleeping son.
His life would never know the betrayal and struggle that defined mine and Ethan's.
I would pave his path with gold and power.
I would make him the undisputed king of this world.
And I would be the eternal, the only—
Empress Dowager behind the throne.
