Chapter 386: His final act

Raphael’s POV

I stood by the window of my office staring at the city below. The glass reflected me faintly, but my focus stayed outside where everything looked normal despite the fact that my life was not.

Today was the last day I would stand in this office.

Everything around me had already been cleared out. The shelves were empty, the drawers stripped bare, the name that once defined every decision I made was already slipping away piece by piece.

All that remained was a framed photograph of Lynn and me on my desk. I had not packed it yet. I told myself I would take it after the handover. A final thing to carry with me, even if it made no sense to keep it anymore.

After today, I would have nothing to do with Volkov Apex. The door opened without a knock.

I didn’t bother turning there was no need to. From the reflection in the glass I already saw him, Dad.

Dad stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He did not speak at first. He simply stood beside me, looking out the same window.

For a while neither of us said anything. His silence was a quiet encouragement. Until finally he spoke.

“Everything is ready,” he said. “The press is already downstairs,” he informed me his gaze drifting from the windows

I nodded once. “Good. I guess it is time.” I said buttoning up my suit jacket. I was nervous inside. He turned slightly toward me. I could feel his eyes on my face.

“Do you have any plans after this?” he asked. I paused for a second at the question. Honestly, I haven’t thought of it. It was unlike me not to plan ahead but maybe for once I could live without constantly anticipating someone’s next move.

I looked away from the window. “I do not know,” I admitted. “Maybe travel. Maybe try to forget her.” A pause followed. “It is already too late to change anything now.”

Ronan did not respond immediately. Then he reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder. “You are still young,” he said. “Try to rebuild your life properly.” It was true, I was barely 30 and a lot had already happened in my life.

I gave a faint nod, though I was not sure I believed it anymore. Then he reached into his inner coat pocket.

“There is something I need you to have,” he said.

My brows tightened as I took the envelope from him. “What is this?” I asked quietly hesitantly reaching for it.

His voice lowered. “A letter from your mother.”

The room changed with those words. Something inside me went still in a way I could not control. My grip tightened slightly.

Ronan did not look away from me. “I know what she did,” he said. “But you need to understand why she became what she became,” he said but there was no sympathy in his words.

I let out a short breath. “You always said you hated her.” I scoffed at him.

A faint, tired expression crossed his face. “I didn’t think I did in the past but I am certain I do,” he said. “But the truth is more complicated than that.” His answer stunned me. I knew there were no feelings in their marriage but knowing they actually hated each other struck differently.

He looked down for a moment before speaking again. “The servants found it in a box this morning. No sender’s address or name. It was dumped at the gate but I know it is hers,” he explained.

I stared at him. That’s when I realised something that left me stunned. His eyes were red. What did mum write that made him cry? My father, who never broke under anything, looked like he already had.

He stepped back slightly. “Read it before you go out there,” he said. “That is all I will ask.” Then he left the room, and the door closed behind him.

I looked down at the envelope in my hand. My grip tightened on it..I did not want to open it but something in me told me that if I didn’t I would regret it. So I drew in a deep breath and opened the letter. Once I did there was no going back.

*********

The hall was already filled when I arrived.

Cameras flashed the moment I stepped inside, light hitting my face from every direction. The sound of voices followed immediately after, a mixture of press, staff, and board members all waiting for the moment this ended, my reign in Volkov Apex.

My gaze moved across the room. Lucien sat beside the front with Lynn beside him.

Aunt Olivia and her daughters were there as well. They refused to sell their shares when everyone did but I had a good feeling that after Lucien took control he wouldn’t make things easy for them.

After today the Orlov and Voss family would stop the blacklist and Volkov Apex would crawl from this hole.

The camera followed as I moved forward. My gaze settled once more on Lynn. Her face was unreadable and distant. I was curious what she felt now, whether she was happy or felt some pity for me.

For a moment I held her gaze then I looked away. My gaze drifted to Lucien. He gave me a faint acknowledgement. Still watching him beside her still made me feel hollow

The last person I acknowledged was Dad. He gave me a faint nod. He was smiling, the type of smile a parent gives when they know you have done your best even if it isn’t enough.

My father sat further back, watching me with a steady face that did not match what I had seen earlier. I took a deep breath, then I stepped onto the podium. The room went quiet, and every sound seemed to wait with me.

I placed my hands on the edge of the stand, then looked out at everything I was about to lose and everything I had already lost without realising it.

And I began. “Good morning everyone. I know we all know why we are here today..” I started with the official speech. My voice trailed off as I spoke the words I had rehearsed a million times.

I spoke about giving my best but it wasn’t enough. About how we fought and it was time to stop. I took a break and the room fell silent. My eyes burned even though I had already made up my mind. Everyone waited.

“So due to recent developments and for the future of Volkov Apex, I Raphael Volkov announce my official resignation from Volkov Apex and give up my right to succession,” I said then paused once again.

I forced a smile then nodded at Lucien. “As I leave the company I am handing over the baton to someone capable. Can we welcome Lucien Volkov, the new vice chairman of Volkov Apex and the official sole heir of the Volkov family? ”

A round of applause rang. Lucien stood up from his seat. Lynn gave him a hug before he turned and locked eyes with me. He walked towards me with a professional smile and we both shook hands. Everyone stood up. The media tried to push forward to take more pictures.

Lucien and I said nothing to each other. We had nothing more to say. I stepped down from the podium for him to address the crowd.

The press was ready to start questioning him and that’s when things started to go wrong. A sharp ringing sound echoed from the speakers plunging the room into chaos. Everyone tried to cover their ears. Lucien’s brows furrowed and he sensed something was off.

“Someone check the PA.” An usher screamed but the sonic sounds drowned his voice. My eyes instinctively searched for Lynn to check if she was fine. She was equally confused. The sharp sound disoriented her.

My head was still ringing from the sound but my eyes caught it and thank God it did. A figure was rushing through the disoriented crowd even security couldn’t notice.

The person was completely covered in black under a thick hoodie and face mask. But the hoodie shifted for a second and I saw the noise-cancellation headphones. On a closer look, the frame looked familiar and the person’s gaze was locked on Lynn. I caught a silver glimpse hidden in the hoodie sleeves

My stomach dropped instantly and my legs moved. From the corner of my eyes. I could see Lucien he just received a call and from his expression, it wasn’t good

I rang towards Lynn. She noticed me and frowned. I tried to scream. “Runn!! ” but she couldn’t hear me over the loud noise.

No this couldn’t be happening. At the last moment, time froze. I jumped onto Lynn to push her away at the last moment, There was no time to think. She wanted to bark what are you doing but the sonic sounds swallowed her voice…

Before she could react. I shoved her hard on the floor then the blade coming for her heart struck me instead. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth and right at that moment the sonic sounds disorienting everyone stopped but Lynn’s scream followed after.

“RAPHAEL!!!!” she roared like a wounded animal and yet despite the pain I smiled at least she wasn’t hurt.

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