Celeste's POV
I spend all night searching for information about Philippe Beaumont.
Belle fell asleep hours ago, but I can't stop. I need to know if Damien was telling the truth.
Finally, I find it. A business article from eight years ago.
French Luxury Magnate Philippe Beaumont Dies by Suicide After Failed Partnership with Ashford Industries.
My stomach turns as I read. Philippe entered a joint venture with Damien. The deal collapsed. Philippe lost millions. Two months later, he was dead.
The article mentions his two sons: Julien, 24, and Alexandre, 20.
Julien would have been fresh out of business school. Watching his father fall apart. Finding him dead.
Because of Damien.
I close my laptop, my hands shaking.
Damien was right. Julien has every reason to hate my family. Every reason to want revenge.
But does that mean he hired me just to hurt Damien? Or did he see my qualifications and give me a real chance?
I don't know what to believe anymore.
Wednesday morning, I arrive at Beaumont Luxe with my stomach in knots.
Claire greets me warmly. Welcome! Let me show you to your office.
My office. I have an actual office with my name on the door. Not a desk three doors from Damien where he can watch my every move.
Mr. Beaumont wanted to check in with you around ten, Claire says. He likes to personally onboard new executives.
After she leaves, I sit at my desk, staring at my computer.
I should confront Julien. Ask him directly if he hired me for revenge.
But what if the answer is yes? What if I came all this way just to be used again?
At ten exactly, Julien appears at my door.
How's your first morning? he asks.
Good. Great, actually. I force a smile. Thank you for this opportunity.
You earned it. He leans against the doorframe. I wanted to discuss the market expansion project. Do you have time for coffee?
We go to a café near the office. Julien orders in rapid French, then turns his full attention to me.
I'm impressed by your market analysis from Ashford Industries, he says. The work you did on Asia expansion—that's the kind of strategic thinking we need here.
Thank you. I take a breath. Can I ask you something?
Of course.
Why did you really hire me?
Something flickers in his expression. What do you mean?
My last name is Ashford. Your father died because of a business deal with Damien Ashford. I meet his eyes. So I'm asking—did you hire me for my skills, or did you hire me to get revenge on my brother?
The silence stretches between us.
Then Julien says quietly, Both.
My heart sinks.
I won't lie to you, Celeste. When I saw your name on the application, my first thought was opportunity. A chance to have an Ashford working for me instead of your brother. A small victory. He stirs his coffee slowly. But then I read your work. Your reports, your analysis, your strategic vision. And I realized you're brilliant. Wasted at Ashford Industries doing work beneath your capabilities.
So you're using me
No. I'm giving you a real chance. The position is real. The work is real. Your salary is competitive because you earned it, not because of your name. He leans forward. But I won't pretend I don't enjoy the irony. Damien Ashford's sister working for his competitor? That does give me satisfaction.
At least he's honest.
What happened with your father? I ask softly. If you don't mind talking about it.
Pain crosses his face. My father was a good man. Brilliant businessman. But after your brother destroyed the partnership, he fell apart. Lost everything—his company, his reputation, his will to live. Julien's jaw tightens. I found him. In his office. He left a note saying he couldn't bear the failure.
I'm so sorry.
It's not your fault. You were what, sixteen? You had nothing to do with it. He looks at me. But your brother did. And I've spent eight years rebuilding what he destroyed. Proving that Beaumont Luxe can compete with Ashford Industries.
So hiring me helps you compete.
Yes. But more than that, it gives you a chance to escape. His green eyes are intense. I did research on you, Celeste. I know about the men your brother fired for getting too close to you. The friends who mysteriously disappeared from your life. The complete control he has over you.
My cheeks burn. You investigated me?
I investigate everyone I hire. But what I found was disturbing. Your brother isn't just protective—he's obsessive. And you running to Paris? That took courage. He reaches across the table, not quite touching my hand. I'm offering you freedom. Real work. A chance to prove yourself without his shadow. If that also benefits me in my competition with him? Good. But it benefits you more.
I want to believe him. God, I want to believe him so badly.
How do I know you won't use me to hurt him? Feed me false information to pass along or—
You don't work for Ashford Industries anymore. You have no access to their data. Julien sits back. I don't need you to spy for me, Celeste. I need you to do exactly what I hired you for—build brilliant strategies that make Beaumont Luxe successful.
It makes sense. But Damien's warning echoes in my head.
My brother said you'll use me for revenge, I admit.
Your brother is terrified of losing control over you. He'll say anything to make you doubt your decisions. Julien's voice gentles. But here's the difference between him and me: I'm telling you the truth. Yes, I enjoy having you here. Yes, it bothers your brother. But I hired you because you're talented, and I'll keep you here as long as you do excellent work. Not because of your last name. Despite it.
I study his face, trying to see the lie. But all I see is honesty.
And maybe a little bit of pain, buried deep.
Okay, I say finally. I'll stay. I'll do the work. But if I find out you're manipulating me—
You'll quit. As you should. He stands, offering his hand. Fair enough?
I shake it. Fair enough.
The first week flies by in a blur of meetings and projects. Julien was right—the work here is challenging. Real. The kind of strategy I've always wanted to do but Damien never allowed.
My coworkers treat me like a colleague, not the boss's sister. They challenge my ideas, collaborate on solutions, trust my judgment.
It feels like coming alive after years of sleepwalking.
Belle notices the change. You're smiling more, she says over dinner Friday night. Paris looks good on you.
It feels good. Like I can finally breathe.
And Julien? Is he treating you well?
Very well. He's brilliant, actually. Challenging but fair. I hesitate. Though sometimes I catch him looking at me strangely. Like he's trying to figure something out.
Maybe he's attracted to you, Belle teases.
No. It's not like that. It's more like... I can't explain it. Like he's surprised by me. Like I'm not what he expected.
Well, you did just escape from a controlling brother and move to a foreign country. You're probably not what anyone expects.
That night, I get an email from an address I don't recognize.
Subject: You Need to Know the Truth.
I almost delete it. But something makes me open it.
Celeste, I don't know if you remember me, but I'm Marcus Chen—the intern your brother fired. After what happened, I started investigating him. I couldn't let it go. What I discovered is worse than you know. Your parents' accident sixteen years ago wasn't an accident. It was murder. There's a man named Richard Sterling on your brother's board who orchestrated it to take over Ashford Industries. Your whole family was supposed to die that night. You and Damien only survived because you stayed home sick. Sterling has been blackmailing Damien ever since. That's why he's so paranoid about your safety—the threat is real. You're still in danger. Please be careful. I'm attaching the evidence I found. —Marcus
The email has several attachments. Police reports. Financial records. A memo from Sterling discussing removing obstacles.
My parents were murdered.
Damien and I were supposed to die too.
Someone has been trying to kill us for sixteen years.
And suddenly, Damien's obsession makes horrible, twisted sense.
He wasn't just being controlling. He was trying to keep me alive.
My phone rings. Unknown number.
With shaking hands, I answer.
Did you get the email? Marcus asks.
Yes. Is this real?
Every word. I've been tracking Sterling for months. He's planning something, Celeste. And now that you're in Paris, away from Damien's protection... He pauses. You might be in more danger than you realize.
What kind of danger?
Sterling wants full control of Ashford Industries. The only things standing in his way are you and Damien. If something happens to both of you, the company goes to the board. Which Sterling controls.
My blood runs cold. You think he'll try to kill me?
I think you need to be very careful. And you need to tell your brother what I found. Whatever issues you have with him, you're both targets. You need to work together.
After we hang up, I sit frozen, staring at the evidence on my screen.
Everything I thought I knew is wrong.
Damien isn't just obsessed. He's terrified. Trying to protect me from a real threat I never knew existed.
And I ran away from the one person trying to keep me alive.
My phone buzzes. Text from an unknown French number.
Enjoying Paris? Hope you're being careful. Accidents happen so easily in foreign cities. —A friend
The threat is clear.
Someone knows I'm here.
Someone knows I'm vulnerable.
And they're coming for me.