Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele

Chapter 126 Chapter

126

I pull away from the warmth and comfort of Atlas' arms.

"You aren't seriously considering their offer, are you?" I look at both men incredulously. "She is blackmailing you with photos of our private memories, ruining both of our businesses and for what? Sydney's pride?"

"Our stocks went down 23%" Atlas states as if that answers all of my questions, as if the financial elements should outweigh any emotional concerns. "5 of our biggest vendors just pulled out. If we don't make a deal, Steele Industries could close for good, not to mention your business," Atlas points out. "With the EPA issue hanging over it, and the accusation of design fraud, nobody is going to put trust in your brand or your name even if she comes forward and corrects her statement."

"No." I insist, literally put my foot down as I stomp to add emphasis to my words. "We are not doing this. I do not want that viper anywhere near you, me, or our baby" I look around at my two best friends, "Any of us. She's toxic." I look up at Atlas, pleading. "She drugged both of us. When she found out I was pregnant she tried to kill our baby, Atlas. You can't possibly think it is a good idea to bring her back here."

Because if he does think it is a good idea, I'm not sure how much faith I can have left in him. Not unless there is some other motivation. He did always have a soft spot where she was concerned and it was only after he discovered hard evidence proving her deception that he was willing to see the truth about her.

"No," he looks away, sensing my anger. "I think it is a terrible idea. But what else can we do? She's already started tearing it all down. If we bring her back, not only will she recant most of what she said, but she will make sure these photos are never seen by anyone." He grips my shoulders firmly, willing me to understand. "Please, Cordelia. If we lose this company, thousands of people will be out of work. They won't have any way to take care of their families. It also means that we won't have any way to take care of our family." He places a hand on my belly. "I can't let that happen."

Atlas is desperate, the weight of failure pushing down on him. He is stuck between disappointing me and harming people he has grown up around who have come to depend on him, and he doesn't see an easy, clear way out of this.

So he is begging me to understand, to forgive him for choosing their safety and security over my pride. The problem is, this isn't about my pride, it's about hers and how far she will take things, not just now, but

in the future.

"I don't like this," I protest. As much as I hate the idea of bringing her back, I hate the idea of being responsible for all those people's lost livelihoods more so I understand his struggle, but I need him to understand my point too. "What happens after this? If we give in to this demand, when will the next one come? Or the next one? When will it end, Atlas?"

Atlas slouches into a chair. "I don't know," he answers truthfully. The thought of losing his family company has him so overwhelmed that he has forgotten who he is. I need to remind him.

"Are you, or are you not, Atlas Steele?" My voice is firm "Steele Industries is a family business that was built over time with the hands of your grandfather and you. Isn't that good enough to fight for?" I urge. "On our terms, not hers?"

Atlas sits up a little straighter.

Chapter 126

+25 BONUS

"I don't know about you," I stare at them both. "But I'm ready to fight for the legacy I am building for our son. Are you?*

"I have an idea," Tilly raises her hand drawing attention to her as she starts to speak. "I know this might sound a bit too simple, but has anyone thought of asking Cordelia's parents for help? They could go to the media and prove that Sydney is lying by telling the truth about what happened with the illegal dumping. Sure, we can pull up the police reports, which I highly recommend we do anyway, but I think that a real person in front of a microphone would go much further As we consider the suggestion, we all look back and forth at one another, trying to sus what the other person is thinking.

"It isn't a bad idea," I admit. "Who knows, now that they have Angelica back, maybe they'll be in a giving mood."

"And I have footage of Cordelia drawing those images, Clark adds. "You can't fake that. There is no way Sydney could have the originals unless..." he pauses. "Unless she stole them before your studio caught fire."

"You mean before she set it on fire," I suggest.

"We can't know that," Atlas interjects. "Not for sure. We have no proof. And if we accuse her of something she didn't do, we would look worse than she does," he stands up, a flinty look of determination in his eyes as he places his palm down flat on the table. "All right, Steele family," he looks at all of us, every single one including Tilly, including us in this decision. "Do we have a plan?"

Everyone nods their approval.

Clark gives Tilly a sweet kiss. "I am so proud of you," he mouths. I melt a little, My friend is the luckiest woman in the world to have the love of Clark Steele.

I stand next to Atlas, taking his hand. Our fingers interlace and I lean into him.

I am lucky too because we're a family. Families fight for one another. And now, we are going to fight for this together.