Chapter 48
The Imposter Bride
Kendra sidled up to him, her gaze filled with disdain. âLucius, didnât you claim that the CEO position of Andersen Corporation was yours to take? Why is it now Magnusâ? I pleaded with my father for you, and now, youâve got nothing.â
âKendra, donât worry. Iâll reclaim the CEO position.â His voice was filled with pain as he gripped her hand.
Kendra gently removed his hand. âWell, Iâll come see you when you do.â She turned to leave.
âKendra!â Lucius grabbed her hand fiercely. âWhat do you mean? Are you breaking up with me because I didnât get the CEO position?â
Kendra turned back to look at him. His eyes were bloodshot. She lowered her gaze. âLucius, I thought you would become the CEO and force Magnus to divorce me, but now that youâre not in that position, Iâm still Magnusâ wife in the eyes of the law. We canât be together anymore. If Magnus retaliates, the Clarkson family might suffer.â
Lucius was left staring at the woman who had suddenly distanced herself from him, and his heart was growing colder by the second. âYouâre saying this because I didnât become the CEO, not out of fear of Magnusâ retaliation. Kendra, I didnât expect this from you! Even if I donât become the CEO, Iâll still be the enviable Mr. Lucius from Andersen Corporation! And you dare say these things!â
Kendra watched as Luciusâ eyes filled with fury and his grip on her arm was tightening. She hugged him. âLucius, no, I love you. However, Iâm Magnusâ wife, legally. What am I supposed to do? If he refuses to divorce, we can never be together.â
Lucius looked down at the woman in his arms, the woman he had loved deeply for years. He had thought that even if he fell from grace, she would never leave him.
Now that he was feeling Kendraâs distance, he smirked bitterly. âMagnus will divorce you. He seems quite smitten with your sister. Theyâve even moved into Maplewood Manor together I believe the next step for him is to divorce you and make your sister his legitimate wife.â
Kendra was stunned. She began to tremble uncontrollably. This was impossible, they could not have fallen in love this quickly. And Natalia, that clueless fool, could not possibly have made Magnus fall for her!
She should be the one Magnus desires, not Natalia. After all, both he and Lucius had vied for her hand in marriage. His intention was to be with her, right?
Seeing her trembling, Lucius confirmed his suspicions Kendra still wanted to marry Magnus! His eyes turned crimson, and his grip on Kendraâs arm tightened Kendra felt a sharp pain in her arm and snapped out of her thoughts. âYouâre hurting me, Lucius! Let go!â
But he didnât let go. He just stared at her. âDo you still want to marry Magnus? Tell me! Do Chap you?â
Kendra managed to shake off his hand. âLet me go, youâre insane! Iâm already his wife in the eyes of the law, and weâre not even divorced yet! What do you mean âdo I want to marry him?â âHa⦠even if you wanted to, itâs too late. He knows youâve been in love with me since we were kids, and that youâve been my woman for nine years. You didnât want him because of his disability and instead had your sister marry him. He despises you. Thereâs no way heâd want you back, Kendra. Give up on that idea.
Youâre my woman. If not, Iâll make sure the Clarkson family disappears!â
Luciusâ face twisted into a terrifying snarl, sending chills down Kendraâs spine. This was the man she had loved for over a decade. He was terrifying!
She had always liked Lucius, his domineering attitude, and his generous nature as a wealthy heir Thatâs why she gave up her virginity to him when she was seventeen.
But his horrifying expression now made her shudder.
She stood there, dazed, watching him. Lucius slowly released her arm, took a step back, and then turned to leave the villa.
In the CEOâs office at the Andersen Tower, Lucius stormed in, only to be stopped by the security and the secretary.
âMr. Lucius, you canât go in now.â
âOut of my way! Who do you think you are to stop me!â He aimed a kick at the security guard. Just then, the office door swung open and Paul stepped out, his gaze dark. âMr. Lucius, the CEO is in an important video conference meeting. Whatever you need to discuss, please wait half an hour.â
Lucius glared at Paul. âPaul, I treated you well in the past, and now you dare to stop me?â
âIâm grateful for your past kindness, but Iâm serving the CEO now. Iâm sorry if Iâve been disrespectful!â
Paul remained standing respectfully at the door.
Seeing he wouldnât be allowed in, Luciusâ eyes flared up like a raging fire. It was as if he wanted to burn the door down.
In the end, he clenched his fists, and his veins were popping âTell Magnus, Iâll be waiting for him at the rooftop of the Golden Groove tonight. I hope he shows upâ
Paul didnât reply, but watched as Lucius turned and left, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
Magnus was sitting in his executive chair, video conferencing with the company representative from France When Paul pushed the door open, he had already ended the call Suddenly, he stood up and walked towards the floorâtoâceiling window Paul was taken aback. âSir, your legs. theyâre healed? He stared in shock as Magnus got up and strode to the window.
âYes, but donât let anyone know. I was able to stand three years ago.â He trusted his grandfatherâs men implicitly.
Paul watched in astonishment as Magnus stood tall by the window. âDonât worry, sir. This is great news.
Youâre finally healed. Morgan will be so happy.â He said joyfully.
Magnus swiveled around. âKeep a close eye on Lucius these next few days Mr Dupont from France is coming to visit and I donât want any disturbances. Also, get in touch with the principal of Melfort College. Let him know I want to add someone to the sophomore design course. Have him arrange it.â
âRight away, sir. Are you suggesting that your wife attends school? As far as I know, she was doing well in the sophomore design course at Melfort College. The professor has been waiting for her to return to class,â Paul said, his gaze fixed on Magnusâ profound dark eyes which softened when he mentioned Magnusâ wife.
He knew Magnus was referring to Natalia, the innocent girl who had to take a leave of absence from school.
Magnus nodded, âYou arrange it. Also, accompany me to Golden Groove tonight to meet Mr. Dimas and finalize the deal on the plot of land.â
âAbsolutely, but sir, Mr. Lucius has also arranged to meet you tonight at Golden Groove,â Paul informed him.
âWeâll see him after weâve signed the contract with Mr. Dimas,â Magnus said, turning to sit in his wheelchair.
âIâll head out now. Handle the rest,â he said, his wheelchair slowly gliding out of the room.
Paul held the door open for him and saw him into the elevator. He then turned and walked into his office to get started on his work.