Chapter 3: Our Birthright

*Olivia*

I could feel Byron's resolve wavering. He glared heatedly at the men but reached into his jacket and pulled out a bank card. He lowered his voice as he spoke to the men, and I couldn’t make out everything he said, but I heard a number that was far below what the men asked for.

“Olivia,” Byron hissed between his teeth as I slipped under his arm to stand between him and the men in black.

“Olivia, get back here now,” Mom ordered.

Byron ignored me and pulled out his credit card, holding it out to the men. “There are five million here,” he informed them. “I will be able to issue you the remaining funds within the next few days.”

“We do not need your money, Olivia,” Byron said firmly, reaching out and taking my wrist. He tugged me to his side, stepping in front of me before speaking to the men in black again. “I will have the funds for you within a week. Until then, this should be sufficient enough for your boss.”

The men glanced at each other, and I saw them exchange a few nods before they disappeared into the darkness.

The relief among us was palpable as we all relaxed slowly now that the scary men were finally gone.

Byron was by my side in a flash, his arm around me. “Please don’t ever do that again,” he said in my ear.

I gave him a gentle smile. “I wasn’t in any danger,” I said in a pacifying tone. “Not with my big brother here to protect me like usual.”

I could tell he was also a little peeved with me because he didn’t want me to spend my money to help him.

But I thought it didn't matter. I also wanted to help out the family.

“Olivia,” my mother said in shock. “Where on earth did you get that much money?”

I giggled lightly. “I’ve been able to save up while working in Spain,” I answered, trying not to look over at Byron.

I wondered if my brother realized that I could pay for some of the required funds because of him. After I left New York, Byron was clearly worried about me and sent me a large sum of money every month for the last five years. It just appeared in my account. I wanted to be independent, though, so I never touched it.

So, in a way, he was the one paying anyway. I decided not to explain all of this to my adopted mother.

I turned to Byron. “Please don’t worry about paying me back,” I said. “I want a stake in our family’s company as well. Think of it as me making an investment.”

My mother looked at me sadly. “You shouldn’t be investing in the company now, Olivia,” she said. “Our company is going bankrupt. It wouldn’t be wise to put money into it now. That would be like just throwing it away.”

I gave her a compassionate look. “Please don’t think that way,” I said. “Any money going into helping out my family is not a waste. I will stand by this family through anything.”

I swallowed hard right before we entered my father’s hospital room.

My blood ran cold when I saw him sitting up in the large white hospital bed.

My father stood tall and authoritative throughout my entire life. He was a stern businessman by day, but he was my daddy whenever we were together. I would watch that hard exterior melt away, and he always graced me with a gentle smile.

Much of that hard exterior had been stripped away, and Father looked weak and frail. He drowned in that hospital bed and seemed barely able to sit up. His skin was pale, and his eyes sunken.

I couldn’t hold back the emotions anymore, and I ran to my father’s bedside, throwing my arms around him and sobbing into his chest.

“Shh, sweetheart,” he murmured into my hair, his arms going around me so he could pull me up onto the bed with him. He struggled to do so, which made me cry even harder. “I’m going to be alright. Please don’t cry.”

His words did nothing to comfort me. I had seen all I needed to learn just how serious this was.

I could feel my mother and Byron approaching the bed, but I still couldn’t calm myself down. They all let me cry for several moments until I was finally able to relax enough to breathe.

“That’s a good girl,” he cooed to me, just like he used to when I was a small child. He rubbed my back lovingly as I laid my head against his chest, listening to the soothing sound of his heartbeat. I felt him shift a bit so he could look at my brother. “Byron, I want a status report.”

“Father,” Byron sighed heavily. “We don’t need to discuss this now. You need your rest.”

“Now, son,” my father said in a low, dangerous tone. “You know that the company is the most important thing in my life besides my family. I poured countless hours and blood into it, and you will tell me what is going on.”

Byron stiffened but knew he had to relent. “We’ve received word that Ethan O’connell has moved up to Sof. He is there, no doubt, to try and butter himself up to the company's president.”

My father sighed heavily and struggled to sit up, causing me to shift to give him room. “Well, there’s no other option but for me to go and try to talk some sense into this Daemon Knight.”

“No, dear,” my mother said. “You are in no condition to do that.”

My father put up a hand to silence her. “It will be done. I will not see my company fail.”

Everyone started to talk and argue at once, which couldn’t be good for my father’s health, so I stepped in, placing a hand over Dad’s. “Don’t worry about anything,” I told my father. I looked over at Byron. “Byron and I will handle everything, as is our birthright. Please just focus on resting.”

No one could argue with that logic, and I relaxed now that the situation was mostly settled.

As Mom and Dad talked, I got off the bed and watched them fondly. Mom tenderly rubbed Dad’s back, and Dad smiled gently at her, reassuring her that he would be just fine. It both warmed and broke my heart.

If the family company failed, our parents would lose their home, the home I grew up in. I just couldn’t allow that to happen.

I would have to speak with Daemon Knight myself, even if my brother had a grudge against him.

I was exhausted by the time we left the hospital.

Mom and Byron had business to attend to, so they told me to head back home so we could get settled and rest after our long flight.

“Daemon Knight’s software company is the largest in the world,” Charlotte said on the phone. When I got into the car, I called Charlotte, as she was well-informed about this. “No company can compete with his.”

Hearing that I sounded a bit down, she comforted me by saying.“Don’t worry. I’ll always be here to help you.”

When I arrived at Sof the next morning, I drew in a breath before striding right up to the receptionist’s desk. “I’m here to see Daemon Knight.”

The woman just shook her head. “Sorry. If you don't have an appointment, you won't be able to meet with Mr. Knight here.”

At that moment, Ethan came through the elevator doors, his eyebrows flying upward when he saw me. “I wouldn’t waste your breath trying to save that precious family of yours. It would only make you look more foolish. I’ve already got the contract to have Mr. Knight sign. You’re too late.”

Charlotte stepped forward threateningly, but I put an arm out to stop him. “He’s not worth it,” I murmured. Then I tilted my chin up at Ethan. “You’re the one who fell on the company’s sword when it was at its worst. You’ll get what’s coming to you.”

I looked at the receptionist again. “Please tell Mr. Knight that Olivia Masters is here to see him.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “You actually know Mr. Knight?”

I leveled him with a stare. “Yes.”

But in reality, I was so nervous about seeing Daemon after all this time. I was probably still just an annoying little girl to him. Still, I had to do this for my family.

“Don’t waste your breath,” Ethan spat. “Even the mayor needs an appointment with Mr. Knight.”

The receptionist, who made the call as I asked, handed me the phone with wide eyes. “The call actually went through.”

I gave her a sweet smile and took the phone from her. “Hello, Mr. Knight.”

I had to fight to hide my amusement when the receptionist’s jaw dropped open in shock.

I had to bite my lower lip to keep from glowering at Ethan.

Ethan also worked at the tech company, and he gave me a critical look before the receptionist grabbed him by the arm and pulled him several steps away so I couldn’t hear them whispering to one another.

I didn’t need to hear them, though. It was pretty easy to tell what they were thinking. How could Daemon Knight want to see me, of all people? He was probably just as prestigious as my older brother in the company but much more ruthless.

I had to admit that I was also surprised that Daemon agreed to meet with me today. He didn’t recognize my voice when I called, and I again had to drop my brother’s name.

Somehow, Daemon’s deep voice turned colder over the line. “Are you looking for your brother?”

My courage plummeted, but I steeled myself and reminded myself I was doing this for my father. “No,” I murmured. “I called for you.”

He was quiet for a few seconds, and I had to look at my screen to ensure the call didn’t drop. Right when I put my phone back against my ear, I heard him reply lazily. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”

I snapped out of the memory when the receptionist approached me and ordered me to follow one of the assistants upstairs.

I saw the surprise on Ethan’s face, which was refreshing compared to his arrogant sneer. “I never thought a big shot like Daemon Knight would agree to see someone like you.”

Hearing Ethan's words, I gave a scornful laugh in his direction and then followed my assistant upstairs.