Return of the Banished Son

"Gentlemen, this is a disaster." Gregory Cade, the stern-faced CEO of CadeTech Industries, stared across the long mahogany boardroom table at the half-circle of executives seated before him. His silver hair, slicked back as always, glistened under the soft lighting. His deep voice echoed with authority, but even so, there was a faint waver underneath—a hint of uncertainty that hadn't been there before.

"We're down 14% in global hardware market share," said Leonard Cross, CadeTech's CFO. He slid a tablet across the table with the quarterly report glowing on screen. "That puts us behind Voltronix and nearly neck-and-neck with Kyritech. If this trend continues, we won't even be in the top three by Q4."

"And that means our value drops in the investor ecosystem," added Miriam Elstad, the board's operations strategist. Her silver-rimmed glasses flashed as she leaned forward. "We need liquidity. Opening up stock sales to public investors could give us the cash infusion we need."

Gregory narrowed his eyes. "You want to dilute CadeTech ownership by putting shares into public hands? Do you even know what kind of wolves you're inviting into the room?"

"With respect, sir," Miriam said, holding his gaze, "those wolves might be the only reason we survive."

There was a tense silence. No one at the table spoke. Finally, Harold Briggs, a long-standing shareholder and friend of the Cade family, cleared his throat. "Perhaps... a strategic partial release? Just 15%, under a controlled offering. Enough to generate buzz and attract institutional buyers."

Gregory drummed his fingers on the table. "I'll think about it. We'll table the vote until Monday. Dismissed."

As the board members rose, one elderly executive remained seated. His voice was low, but heavy. "My division has already laid off thirty-two people. Another quarter like this... I don't know how many more I can protect."

Gregory's jaw tensed. For the first time, he said nothing.

---

Miles away, Richard Cade stood on the rooftop garden of his temporary estate in Fairfax, sipping black coffee. His black suit jacket danced lightly in the wind. The city shimmered under a golden sunset.

"Lena," he said without turning.

Lena Harwick, his interim secretary and the cousin of his main assistant Vanessa, stepped beside him with a digital tablet in her hand and a cautious look on her face. Her brown ponytail swayed slightly as she kept pace with his steps.

"Yes, sir?"

"Did you review the internal market chatter for CadeTech this morning?"

"I did. They've confirmed it. CadeTech will officially open 15% of its private shares for public trade next week. It's going to be a limited offering."

"Good. I want you to begin preparations. We'll acquire as much of that 15% as we legally can — under different names, different firms. I want controlling interest before the board realizes what's happening."

"Already on it. I've spoken with Crown Finance and a few of our investment arms. We'll be able to sweep up most of the available shares before the second wave of buyers gets in."

"And what about Gregory's personal holdings?"

"Just under 12.5%. But he hasn't released any of his own. He's holding firm."

Richard took another sip. "Let him. Once the market shift begins, he'll have to make a move."

He turned to look at her. "Lena, why did you take this job?"

The question caught her off guard. "Pardon?"

"You knew this was Vanessa's post. You applied to fill her shoes when she was reassigned. Why did you really take it?"

She hesitated, then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "You want the professional answer or the honest one?"

"Always the honest one."

She looked him in the eyes. "Because when Vanessa showed me your photo, I didn't believe it. She said her boss was brilliant, charming, ruthless, and loaded. I expected a monster. Instead, I saw someone who looked... sharp. Kind of lonely. And very dangerous. I needed to know if that was real."

Richard studied her face for a moment, then chuckled. "You're bold."

"No, just curious. And maybe stupid." Her cheeks flushed lightly. "But I'm good at my job, and I keep your schedule clean."

"You've done more than that. You've impressed me."

She looked away, hiding a small smile. "So, about the acquisition strategy..."

"Move forward with it. Discreetly. Buy through third-party investors. We're going to make this legal, clean, and undeniable."

"Understood."

Just then, a small chime echoed from Richard's smartwatch. A System notification glowed across the screen:

[MISSION TRIGGERED] 'Bloodline Dismantler: Acquire controlling interest in CadeTech before it goes public. Time limit: 60 days. Completion bonus: Skill Tree Unlock – Corporate Warpath.

Richard smirked. "And now it begins."

As Lena stepped away to make arrangements, Richard's eyes lingered on her.

I know exactly who she is. I remember everything — the prom, the laughter, the betrayal. I haven't forgotten. I'm just playing the long game. Let her think I've moved on. Let her admire me, even like me.

Then one day... she'll understand what it means to break the wrong person.

---

The next day, back in CadeTech's headquarters, Gregory sat at his desk when Harold Briggs burst in.

"Gregory," Harold said, breathless. "It's started. The offering went live this morning."

"And?"

Harold tossed a folder onto the desk. Inside were purchase records, filings, and logs of early investors.

"We've already lost nearly 9% of the new shares. Bought up within minutes. All legal, but through dozens of shell firms. We don't know who's behind them yet."

Gregory's hands clenched around the folder. "It's a power play. Someone is moving fast. They want influence."

"The board will expect answers. And if this continues... they'll vote to appoint a new leadership figure."

Gregory's expression turned to ice. "Not while I'm still breathing."

---

Back in Fairfax, Lena entered Richard's study holding a folder of her own. "Sir. Initial purchase complete. We now legally control 8.3% of CadeTech's public shares."

He smiled without looking up. "And the remaining?"

"We'll continue to accumulate. By the end of next week, we'll hit the cap allowed for individual investors — and we'll have board leverage."

"Perfect. And Lena..."

She paused. "Yes?"

"Thank you. Not just for the work. For believing in what I'm building."

Her voice softened. "We all come from somewhere, sir. Some of us just don't want to go back there alone."

Richard leaned back, watching the system screen as lines of data flickered like ches

s moves.

CadeTech was no longer just his family's legacy.

It was a battlefield.

And he was coming for the throne.