Known as one of the most cunning attorneys in all of London, Maxwell saw an opportunity he couldn’t resist. By crafting an unbreakable will, there would come a day when Kane Holdings would be up for grabs, and he’d be there waiting with an open billfold.

Aware modern-day courts would undoubtedly balk at the prejudice of the archaic company documents stating only a male heir could inherit, Oliver and Maxwell decided not to pick that particular fight. Instead, Oliver made it clear in his will that he was going against the company’s bylaws by leaving Kane Holdings to his daughter; however, he made something else very clear. He stated that while he could not find it in his heart to follow all the mandates set down by his forefathers, Oliver believed the principles on which the company was founded were righteous, and he requested that those remaining ideologies be honored...to the letter.

Firth had spent every waking hour for over a month constructing his masterpiece, a means to an end for Addison Kane, but it was an end Oliver could never really enjoy. When the words of his will were finally known, Oliver would not be around to see the pain he had inflicted on Addison. Firth, having his own agenda, knew this was the chance he’d been waiting for.

The Board of Directors of Kane Holdings was made up of seven men, all of whom having taken their seats during the reign of Xavier. With the same mindset and morals as their dear, trusted friend, they knew the brilliance of Addison, and their dividends showed it. Time after time, Oliver had lost his battles in the conference room, but with two members about to retire, vacant seats needed to be filled.

The bylaws of Kane Holdings clearly stated it was within Oliver’s rights to appoint the new members, so the seats were quickly filled with like-minded friends of Firth and Oliver. To add insult to injury, and to assure him many gleeful days watching his daughter answer to those who would always side with him, Oliver also hired Maxwell as the company lawyer.

***

Hearing the door latch behind her, Addison looked over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing at the sight of Francesca Neary. “What do you want?”

“I thought we could talk?”

“About what?” Addison asked, slowly raising the glass to her lips to take a sip.

“About what we’re going to do.”

“We?” Addison said as she strode across the room. Throwing herself into the high-back leather executive chair behind her desk, she glowered at Fran. “Exactly when did this become a we issue?”

“You know what I mean,” Fran said as she sat down in a chair opposite Addison’s desk.