Chapter 2The Heiress's Ultimatum

My dad's executive assistant, Mr. Hayes, walked in with several security personnel.

He had been with my dad for decades. Always steady.

Even during corporate crises, he never blinked.

But today, his face was terrifyingly cold.

He checked on me first to ensure I wasn't hurt.

Then he turned to Nathaniel.

"Mr. Prescott, Chairman Sinclair sent me to escort Ms. Sinclair home."

Seeing him, Nathaniel begrudgingly lowered his hand but still sneered:

"Mr. Sinclair couldn't be bothered to come himself, so he sends an assistant?"

Mr. Hayes' tone was flat.

"Chairman Sinclair is currently en route."

"Until he arrives, I represent the Sinclair family in handling this matter."

Nathaniel scoffed.

"Represent the Sinclair family?"

"Mr. Hayes, aren't you overestimating your worth?"

"At the end of the day, you're just an employee on the Sinclair payroll."

Mr. Hayes remained unfazed.

"You can look down on me, Mr. Prescott, but I am not speaking for myself today."

"Ms. Sinclair is the sole daughter and future heir to the Sinclair Group."

"This marriage was predicated on aligning the interests of both heirs."

"By publicly acknowledging an illegitimate child, you have severely undermined the foundation of this merger."

Nathaniel’s expression darkened.

"Save the corporate jargon."

"I have a kid. I'm not asking Eleanor to step down."

Mr. Hayes continued:

"The issue isn't the title of 'Mrs. Prescott.' The issue is the uncertainty it introduces to the future equity and succession of the Prescott empire."

"The Sinclairs will not bet our resources on someone who is a ticking time bomb for an internal succession war."

That hit Nathaniel right where it hurt.

The succession was what he cared about most.

And Mr. Hayes was absolutely right.

Nathaniel sneered.

"Such a high-and-mighty speech. Isn't this just because Eleanor refuses to accept Vanessa and the boy?"

He acted like he was making a massive concession.

"Fine. I can agree to this."

"After we get married, Vanessa and the kid won't live on the main Prescott estate, and they won't appear in front of Eleanor. Does that satisfy you?"

He looked at me, as if expecting me to be grateful.

It was purely delusional.

He ruined my engagement with his mistress and child, and now claiming they'd stay out of my sight was his idea of a compromise?

Mr. Hayes frowned.

"Mr. Prescott, you don't understand the Sinclair family's position."

"What we cannot accept is the inheritance risk this child inherently represents."

Nathaniel's face turned completely black.

"You've got a lot of nerve, Hayes."

"My son doesn't need to be evaluated by an outsider."

Mr. Hayes lowered his eyes slightly.

"I am merely stating facts."

"If you insist on maintaining the status quo, the Sinclair family will reevaluate our partnership with the Prescotts."

Nathaniel violently smashed his champagne glass on the floor.

Glass shattered everywhere.

The room went dead silent.

He pointed at Mr. Hayes.

"Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Threatening me on my turf?"

I stepped forward, looking at Nathaniel:

"His words are the Sinclair family's official stance."

Nathaniel looked at me, his eyes frighteningly dark.

"Eleanor, are you really going to burn this bridge?"

I shot back:

"Am I the one burning bridges?"

Suddenly, Vanessa fell to her knees, clutching her child.

A collective gasp rippled through the room.

"Ms. Sinclair, please don't make this hard for Nate."

"Don't let me and my child ruin the partnership between your families."

"I know I don't come from a good background. I know I don't compare to you."

"I know Oliver shouldn't have been born."

She sobbed, her shoulders shaking.

"If you truly can't tolerate us, I can take him and leave."

"We'll go far away, and you'll never see us again."

The boy started crying too.

"Mommy, I don't want to go."

"I want Daddy."

Nathaniel immediately pulled her up.

"Vanessa, what are you saying?"

"I told you, I won't let you or our son suffer."

Vanessa leaned into his chest, crying harder.

"But Ms. Sinclair doesn't like us."

"The Sinclair family is so powerful, I'm genuinely scared."

At those words, Nathaniel's glare toward me turned ice-cold, as if I were driving a mother and child to their deaths.

I had seen enough. I didn't want to engage with their toxic drama anymore.

I turned to Mr. Hayes.

"Let's go."

"There's no point in negotiating further."

Mr. Hayes nodded and signaled his security team to escort me out.

But we barely took two steps.

The heavy doors of the VIP lounge were slammed shut from the outside.

A dozen heavily built bodyguards in black suits poured in from the side doors, surrounding us completely.