Chapter 14: The Choice Of An Heir
Daniel returned to his office with Lily beside him.
The document waited on the desk.
Exactly like the photograph.
Exactly like Alexander promised.
Daniel didn’t touch it.
For the first time in years, he was afraid of what he might discover.
Lily noticed.
“Dad.””
Daniel looked at her.
“What if he’s right?””
Her expression softened.
“About what?””
“That everything started because of me.””
Lily stepped closer.
“No.””
“You left because I failed you.””
“Yes.””
The honesty hurt.
But she continued.
“But I came back because I know you’re not the same person anymore.””
Daniel looked away.
“I should have protected you.””
“You were human.””
“I was your father.””
Lily smiled sadly.
“And I was your daughter.””
A quiet moment passed.
Then Noah entered.
He looked at the document.
“Is that about me?””
Daniel immediately covered it.
“Noah.””
The boy shook his head.
“I’m tired of people hiding things.””
Daniel understood.
He moved aside.
Noah looked at the paper.
The words meant nothing to him.
But the name did.
His.
“Why do they care so much about me?””
Nobody answered.
So Noah looked at Daniel.
“Tell me.””
Daniel sat down.
“Because some people believe your name gives you power.””
Noah frowned.
“But I’m just Noah.””
Daniel smiled slightly.
“That’s the most important thing you said.””
Noah looked confused.
“Why?””
“Because they see an heir.””
Daniel placed a hand over the document.
“I see my grandson.””
Noah looked down.
For the first time, he looked less like a scared child.
More like someone making a decision.
“I don’t want their company.””
Daniel looked surprised.
“You don’t?””
Noah shook his head.
“I don’t want people fighting over me because of money.””
Lily smiled through tears.
“That’s exactly why you’re different.””
Daniel opened the document.
Inside was a legal plan created by his father.
A plan that transferred control of Cross Industries to a future heir under specific conditions.
But something was wrong.
The final condition.
*The heir must be raised without influence from existing Cross family members.*
Daniel stared.
“What does this mean?””
Lily read it.
“He wanted Noah separated from everyone.””
Alexander’s voice came from the doorway.
Nobody moved.
Security turned immediately.
Daniel looked furious.
“How did you get in here?””
Alexander ignored him.
He looked at Noah.
“You finally understand.””
Noah stepped back.
“You followed me?””
Alexander shook his head.
“I protected you.””
Daniel stepped between them.
“You’re done.””
Alexander smiled.
“Am I?””
He looked at the document.
“You still haven’t read the last page.””
Daniel flipped the page.
His expression changed.
A final condition.
One sentence.
*The heir must choose who deserves the legacy.*
Daniel looked confused.
“What?””
Alexander smiled.
“Your father knew blood wasn’t enough.””
Lily stared.
“He wanted Noah to choose.””
Alexander looked at Noah.
“Me or Daniel.””
Silence.
Noah looked terrified.
Daniel immediately shook his head.
“No.””
Alexander looked at him.
“You don’t get to decide.””
Daniel’s voice hardened.
“He is a child.””
Alexander replied:
“He is the future.””
Noah looked between them.
Two men.
Two versions of his life.
One wanted control.
One wanted to protect him.
Then Noah asked something nobody expected.
“Can I choose neither?””
Everyone went silent.
Alexander frowned.
“What?””
Noah looked at him.
“I don’t want to become like you.””
Then he looked at Daniel.
“And I don’t want to become someone who only knows work.””
Daniel felt the words.
Because they were exactly what Lily had once said.
Noah continued:
“I want to be myself.””
For the first time, Alexander had no response.
May you like
Because the one thing he never planned for…
Was Noah refusing the game.
