CHAINS OR FREEDOM

Chapter 11: Chains or Freedom?

The room was silent.

Dozens of powerful businessmen and women were still watching, their gazes bouncing between Zane, Richard, and Vincent like spectators at a high-stakes chess match.

But none of them mattered.

Not really.

This moment was about one thing.

Zane's future.

His father had finally given him what he'd always wanted—a place in the Harrington empire. The empire he'd spent his whole life being shut out of, treated as an afterthought compared to Nathan.

Except now, standing in the middle of that grand ballroom, he wasn't sure if it was what he wanted at all.

Vincent's hand was still on his shoulder—steady, grounding. And his words hung heavy in the air.

"Zane is finally free to choose what he wants."

For the first time, he had the power.

Zane swallowed hard, shoving down the storm of emotions clawing at his chest. He turned to his father, meeting his cold, expectant gaze.

Richard Harrington didn't offer things twice.

This was it.

Take the deal and be the Harrington heir—or walk away.

Vincent's hand slid off his shoulder. Not in disappointment or pressure, just… letting him decide.

Zane took a deep breath.

Then he smiled. Slow, sharp, confident.

"Thanks, Dad," he said smoothly. "But I think I'll pass."

A ripple of gasps spread through the crowd.

Richard's expression didn't change, but something shifted—a flicker of disappointment, maybe even contempt, before his features turned to stone.

"You're making a mistake," he said evenly.

Zane shrugged. "Maybe. But at least it's my mistake."

Richard studied him for a long moment, then exhaled. "So be it." Without another word, he turned and walked away, already moving to recover from the scandal of Nathan's betrayal.

Just like that, Zane was done.

The weight of his family's expectations—his father's dismissal, Nathan's rivalry, the endless fight for approval—it was all gone.

So why did it still feel so heavy?

Vincent stepped closer. "You okay?"

Zane let out a short laugh. "I just rejected the one thing I've spent my whole life chasing. What do you think?"

Vincent tilted his head, eyes sharp but unreadable. "I think you just proved to your father that you don't need him."

Zane hesitated. He hadn't thought of it that way.

Vincent smirked. "And if I were him, I'd be worried."

Zane blinked, then chuckled. "Why? Because now I'm a threat?"

Vincent leaned in slightly, his voice dropping just low enough for only Zane to hear.

"You always were."

Something in the way he said it sent a shiver down Zane's spine.

A reminder that this—the war between them, the fire, the tension—it had never been just about business.

The thought made Zane's heart pound.

But before he could respond, a new voice cut through the room.

"Mr. Graves. Mr. Harrington."

A tall, distinguished-looking man in his fifties approached them, his expression unreadable. He was dressed in a crisp designer suit, his presence commanding.

Zane recognized him immediately. Arthur Lancaster, one of the most influential power players in the financial world. He rarely made public appearances unless something big was happening.

Vincent straightened slightly, his gaze sharpening. "Mr. Lancaster."

Arthur glanced between them, his lips curving into a knowing smirk. "That was quite the performance."

Zane raised an eyebrow. "Did you enjoy the show?"

Arthur chuckled. "More than you know." His eyes flickered with intrigue. "But I didn't come here for entertainment. I have a proposal—one that concerns both of you."

Zane and Vincent exchanged glances.

Arthur Lancaster didn't do small deals.

Whatever he was about to offer… it was big.

And just like that, the game wasn't over.

It was just getting started.

End of Chapter 11.

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