Chapter 7 - Miranda’s Choice
Miranda Whitlow requested a meeting with Rowan.
Sebastian objected immediately.
“She does not owe Miranda anything.”
Rowan looked at him.
“You do not get to decide who I speak to.”
He nodded.
“You are right.”
The meeting took place at a quiet café near Rowan’s house.
Miranda arrived without makeup, without a driver, without the polished confidence she usually carried.
She sat across from Rowan and looked at Daniel sleeping in his stroller.
“He is beautiful,” Miranda said.
Rowan remained cautious.
“Thank you.”
Miranda lowered her eyes.
“I did not know what Victor did.”
“Neither did Sebastian.”
“I know.”
Rowan watched her carefully.
“Why are you here?”
Miranda took a breath.
“Because I spent years letting my parents arrange my life. Then I nearly married a man who did not love me because it would benefit our families.”
Rowan said nothing.
Miranda continued.
“I am not asking you to forgive me. But I am sorry I stood in that hospital room and made it harder.”
Rowan looked down at Daniel.
“Why did you leave Sebastian?”
Miranda smiled sadly.
“Because I realized I wanted someone to choose me freely. Not because a contract said they should.”
For the first time, Rowan understood that Miranda had also been trapped inside the same world.
Not innocent.
But trapped.
Before leaving, Miranda placed a sealed envelope on the table.
“What is this?” Rowan asked.
“Documents from Whitlow Therapeutics. Victor offered my father financial incentives to pressure Sebastian into marrying me.”
Rowan stared at the envelope.
“You are giving this to us?”
“I am giving it to the truth.”
The documents helped Sebastian expose Victor’s manipulation to the Caldwell board.
Within days, the board launched an internal investigation.
Victor was placed on leave.
Sebastian was offered interim control of the company.
He refused one condition.
“There will be no more secret accounts, private threats, or family decisions hidden behind business language,” he told the board. “If I lead this company, it changes.”
The directors were stunned.
But public scandal had made them afraid.
They agreed.
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For the first time, Sebastian had power.
And for the first time, he used it to break the system that had raised him.
