"Is that why you took my case?" The words left my mouth before I could even process if it was the right time or the right way to ask the question. I should have been just grateful that a lawyer like Iver Vane even took my case at all, rather than trying to poke into the past.
"What does that even mean?" If I knew anything, I'd say he was almost offended at my question… which, I guess, made sense.
"Just… I can't… Mr. Vane, I can't find a single reason why you would take my case. You have hundreds, if not thousands of requests every day. People pay millions for you to just advise them on a case, and you just randomly take mine, fight for me, and all for free?"
He exhaled and shook his head.
"I don't see why it's relevant to you."
"Mr. Vane, I understand but I need to know what happened—"
"Ms. Sylvie, if you don't leave this thing alone, it will make this entire case really difficult."
"Sorry."
I looked down, exhaling quickly. I could not jeopardise this, not when it involved Lorelai. A million thoughts ran through my head — Iver had lost to Ashcrofts before. Did that… should that concern me?
"Look, I'm sorry too," I heard him say as he sighed. "It's just not a case that I like to talk about. But I'd like you to know that I'm giving my all to bringing you and your daughter justice."
I nodded. "I know. Thank you, Mr. Vane."
Maybe it is best to leave this alone after all.
_____________________
Cairo's POV
"You bring her, alive or dead, Cairo or you know exactly what will happen." Reginald Ashcroft, my father, said to me with glaring eyes and tone sharper than a knife.
"Yes, father," I said, turning around to leave. Before I could exit the room, I turned back around. "And what about Lorelai?"
Reginald sighed, a calm which well hid his rage. "Lorelai is an Ashcroft. Her place is here. You will secure her, of course. She is our blood. But your primary objective is Sylvie. Neutralize her. Make her disappear from our lives. Permanently, if necessary. You made a mistake marrying that woman, Cairo. A mistake we are now rectifying."
My father's words were cold, as always, devoid of the emotion that clawed at my gut. He didn't understand. It wasn't just about the 'bloodline' for me. It was about her. Lorelai. She was mine. My daughter. My flesh and blood. Sylvie had tainted her, filled her head with foolish notions. She was too soft, too emotional. Lorelai needed strength, the Ashcroft strength. Sylvie, with her constant tears and weakness, was nothing but a blight on Lorelai's life.
I remembered Lorelai's small hand in mine, her laughter that echoed in the halls. It was the only sound that made me feel alive, the only thing that kept me going through our marriage. I had lashed out at Sylvie, yes, because she provoked me, because she threatened that fragile peace, that illusion of a perfect family. She couldn't give Lorelai what she needed. She was a liability, a liar and an evil soul who tried to trap me in her life.
"She will be secured," I stated, my voice flat, masking the protectiveness I felt. "Lorelai belongs with me. Not with that hysterical woman. She needs to be taught what it means to be an Ashcroft."
Sylvie was selfish. So fucking selfish. She took Lorelai and ran, not caring if that hurt her life, her future or her connection with me. She was truly an incapable woman.
Reginald merely grunted.
I left his place. Sylvie had stolen my daughter, not just physically, but morally. She was poisoning Lorelai against me, against her own heritage. I wouldn't let that stand.
The custody petition was a formality. I would prove Sylvie unfit. I would show them all that I was the stable parent, the one who truly loved Lorelai, even if my love wasn't exactly the perfect one everyone thought it should be. Lorelai would thank me one day. When she understood. And Sylvie… Sylvie would pay for trying to take what was mine.
"Mr. Ashcroft. You might want to see this," Noah met me on my way out and said as he moved along me.
"What now?"
"Official criminal charges have not been filed yet, but our sources know who Mrs. Ashcroft hired as her lawyer."
"Who?" I stopped and turned to him.
"Iver Vane."
I chuckled. "Iver?"
"I think it's best that we hire someone–"
"Oh no. You're not the sharpest tool, are you, Noah?" I chuckled again, satisfaction suddenly brimming in my soul, "This is my chance. This is everything I have waited for and Sylvie going to him for her shit show? That's… that's kismet, Noah. That's my revenge served on a silver platter."
"You're going to represent yourself, aren't you?"
A smirk appeared on my lips. "Not just that, I'm going to beat him again and when I do, he's gonna come begging for mercy."