"I am officially renaming this building from Vante back to The Heirs. And effective today, I hand over leadership to Miss. Liora Johnson. Please step forward, my love."
A collective gasping sound rippled through the courtyard. Everyone's eyes widened in utter disbelief.
Liora's heart hammered against her ribs. Liora Johnson? Hearing the name spoken out loud sounded foreign, almost surreal. Was she truly ready for his? Her knees shook so violently she felt she might collapse onto the pavement. The urge to bolt away surged through her, but Sophia and Maya stood firmly on either side, anchor-like hands resting on her shoulders.
"Go to Ron, Lio." Maya whispered gently into her ear. "This is your moment. Go step up and reclaim what belongs to you."
Liora shook her head, her voice barely a breath. "I-I can't... I really can't do this."
Meanwhile, a flurry of whispers spread like wildfire among the reporters and fans. Everyone scrambled to see who this mysterious 'Liora Johnson' was, and why the great Ronan Brown was addressing her with such unreserved affection.
Noticing Liora's visible distress, Ronan softened his expression. Accompanied by a security detail clearing a path through the crowd, he stepped off the stage and walked straight toward Liora. He extended a broad, inviting hand, ignoring the surrounding gasps and flashing cameras. Off to the side, Mia watched the interaction, frozen in absolute shock.
"Come with me, my love." Ronan said, his voice steady and soft. "Step into the place meant for you. All of this belongs to you."
Tears trickled down Liora's cheeks as she shook her head back and forth.
"Do you trust me?" Ronan asked softly, his gaze locked onto Liora's eyes.
Liora nodded without hesitation.
"Then don't be afraid to take my hand. I promise I will never let go. Walk with me, you can do this, and I'll be right beside you every step of the way."
Overcome by emotion, Liora wiped her damp cheeks with the back of her hand. Ronan had a way of overwhelming her, bringing sudden, sweeping changes into her life, but she knew she wasn't alone. With trembling fingers, she reached out and placed her hand into Ronan's warm grip.
Reporters surged forward, thrusting microphones into the air, but the security guards formed a tight perimeter around them, allowing no one to intrude.
Moments later, the official handover documents were produced. With steadying hands, she signed her name as Liora Johnson, the rightful heir to the legacy. Ronan bowed respectfully to the new executive, a gesture Liora tried to stop out of modesty, before Ronan clapped his hands in triumph.
Stepping up to the podium, Liora took a deep breath, looking out over the crowd. "As the newly appointed CEO of The Heirs, I am taking on my duties starting today. I will dedicate myself fully to restoring this company to its absolute peak. To our staff, I humbly ask for your trust and support."
The company's staff, including her newly appointed personal secretary, stood in formation and bowed respectfully in unison. Beside her, Ronan watched with a proud, radiant smile.
"As many of you know," Liora continued, turning back to the press, "the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer were previously held by a single person for convenience. However, moving forward, managing everything independently will no longer be simple as The Heirs and Vante forge a strategic partnership. Therefore... I am officially surrendering my position as Chairman of the Board to Mr. Ronan Brown."
Ronan's eyes went wide in shock.
"Of course," Liora added with a light chuckle, turning toward the media, "I cannot make this decision unilaterally. It depends entirely on whether Mr. Brown accepts."
Excusing herself briefly from the podium, Liora stepped toward the frozen Ronan and leaned close to his ear. "So, Rony... what do you say? Because if you turn it down, I'm going to have to handle the entire company by myself."
Ronan snapped out of his daze, staring at her in disbelief. "W-What? Lio, what are you doing?"
"Listen to me, Rony." Liora whispered, her tone filled with sincerity. "Regardless of how complex this company's history is, you were the one who saved it from ruin. You poured your blood, sweat, and tears into rebuilding it. Consider this my gift to you, on behalf of the father I lost. You gave me my birthright; now let me give you yours. I'm handing you genuine authority over this corporate alliance. Accept it, Rony. Be my Chairman... while I serve as your CEO."
Ronan fought back the emotion swelling in his chest. "And... what if I say no?"
Liora leaned in closer, a playful yet firm threat laced in her tone. "Then you won't be allowed to touch me ever again."
Ronan's eyes widened in hilarious horror. "Oh, my God! Well, in that case, I have no choice but to accept!"
Liora laughed softly at his reaction.
Once the adjusted corporate contracts were prepared, both signed their names to solidify the partnership. The press conference was reaching its final moments when a journalist raised a hand, asking a question that brought the entire courtyard to a standstill.
"Mr. Brown! I realize this is a deeply personal matter... but would you mind clarifying the true nature of your relationship with Miss. Johnson?"
Ronan let out a warm laugh, glancing at Liora, who gave a quiet nod of approval.
The time for secrecy had ended. The boundary separating their worlds was finally disappearing.
"We are engaged," Ronan announced clearly, his gaze fixed on Liora's shining eyes. "Liora Johnson will soon become Mrs. Brown. She is my future wife, my love, and my angel."
The crowd erupted. Within minutes, the news exploded across headline outlets nationwide.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
The following day marked their official return to corporate operations. Ronan assumed his familiar workspace, diving back into executive duties. A polite knock sounded at his door.
"Come in." Ronan called out.
Marcus, the veteran employee who had originally revealed the truth about the past to Liora, stepped into the office, looking anxious. "Sir! You might want to come down to the main lobby right away. Our new CEO..."
"Liora? Is something wrong with Liora?"
Before Marcus could even finish his sentence, Ronan sprang up from his desk and bolted out the door.
Reaching the central lobby, Ronan found Liora standing motionless in front of the massive memorial portrait of her late parents, silent tears streaming down her face. Ronan closed the distance between them, pulling Liora into a tight, protective embrace.
"I've got you, my love. It's alright." Ronan murmured softly into her hair.
Around them, some onlookers smiled warmly at the display of genuine devotion, while others watched with quiet envy.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
That evening, a grand evening gala was hosted at the Brown estate to celebrate both Ronan's award and Liora's corporate ascension. High-profile executives and prominent figures filled the grand hall.
"Don't drink too much, alright?" Ronan warned playfully, giving Liora's rear an affectionate tap before excusing himself to greet a group of arriving investors.
As soon as Ronan walked away, Liora spotted Mia standing nearby. A mischievous smirk played on her lips as she sauntered over. Noticing her approach, Mia quickly looked away, visibly tense.
"What's wrong, Mia? Aren't you going to offer your congratulations?" Liora asked lightly.
Mia stiffened, swallowing hard before forcing out a response. "C-Congratulations."
"Thank you," Liora replied smoothly, taking a small sip from her glass. "Mia, do you remember back when we were still trainees at Vante? You told me you became Ronan's secretary because you possessed something I lacked. You called it 'power,' didn't you?"
Mia flinched, shifting uncomfortably on her feet.
"Well, guess what?" Liora leaned in close to her ear, her voice smooth and cold. "I became the CEO, and you're working under me now because I have something you never will."
Mia glared at her. "And what's that?"
"A gem." Liora whispered with a sweet smile, pulling back and casually strolling away.
Mia stood rooted to the spot, her face flushed with fury as she glared at her back. "Just you wait, Liora Miller..." she hissed under her breath.
⚠️ EXPLICIT CONTENT WARNING ⚠️
By the time the late-night celebration wound down, the final guests had departed the mansion. While the hired event staff cleared the main floor, Ronan and Liora retreated to their private master bedroom upstairs, both thoroughly flushed from the evening's alcohol.
"Oh, I am completely exhausted tonight." Ronan groaned, collapsing backward onto the plush couch. He sprawled out in his usual relaxed posture, legs parted comfortably.
Through heavy, alcohol-hazed eyes, he watched as Liora stood before him, impatiently shedding her formal attire piece by piece. Changing in front of each other was second nature to them, but this time, Liora shed every single layer, including her silk underwear, leaving nothing behind.
Ronan's eyes widened at the sudden sight of full nudity. "Love?"
Before he could process it, a completely naked Liora climbed onto his lap, straddling his thighs. Drunken, heavy eyes locked onto Ronan's as Liora began slowly grinding her hips back and forth against him.
"Mmm... Ahhh..." Liora let out a soft groan, resting her forehead against Ronan's chest as she rocked her core over Ronan's clothed length.
"F*ck." Ronan rasped out, his hands moving to cup the soft curves of Liora's bare rear, squeezing and kneading the flesh firmly.
Liora lifted herself slightly, guiding her own wetting p*ssy over the thick ridge of Ronan's pants, friction building as she moved rhythmically against him. Bending her head into the crook of Ronan's neck, Liora began leaving needy, wet kisses and suction marks along his throat, moaning aloud at the intense friction. Beneath his trousers, Ronan felt himself growing rock hard.
Ronan let out a low growl, spreading Liora's butt cheeks apart with his hands. Without taking time to prepare, he slicked his middle finger with saliva and worked it into Liora's tight entrance.
"Ahhh... D-Daddy~" Liora gasped, a sudden sting cutting through the pleasure due to the lack of proper lubrication.
Ronan quickly added a second finger, pumping them inside her to stretch the tight walls quickly, working to ease the friction. Within moments, he felt Liora's inner walls flutter and clamp around his fingers, his grinding motion growing more urgent.
"No, no, no... You can't come like that yet, baby." Ronan murmured tightly.
He pulled his fingers free and stood up, making Liora let out a needy whine at the loss of contact.
Ronan rapidly stripped out of his own clothes, his dark eyes never leaving Liora's flushed face. Standing fully bare, his erection rigid, Ronan hoisted Liora up off the cushion and pinned her back against the bedroom wall.
"My little CEO needs me, doesn't she?" Ronan purred.
Liora rewarded him with a heavy, drunken bunny smile. But the expression melted into a sharp gasp as Ronan lifted both of Liora's legs, hooking his arms securely under her knees.
Aligning his tip at the wet opening, Ronan drove his hips forward in one solid stroke, filling Liora completely.
"A-Ahhh! It hurts!" Liora cried out, arching her back against the wall.
"Ahhh... I told you not to drink so much, hmmm?" Ronan groaned, his voice raspy as he held himself deep inside her. "F*ck, you're so tight..."
Leaning in, Ronan captured Liora's lips in a rough, desperate kiss, drowning out their shared moans as he adjusted to the unbearable heat of Liora's tight channel.
Ronan began to establish a hard, driving rhythm, pounding into her with unyielding force. The sheer sensation, combined with the precarious wall position, sent waves of intense pleasure through Liora's mind.
As the rough thrusts continued, Ronan caught sight of tears spilling over Liora's closed lashes. He paused mid-stroke, holding himself still inside her.
"Love? Hey... does it hurt too much? Do you want me to stop?" Ronan asked gently, concern cutting through his haze.
Liora frantically shook her head from side to side. "N-No... I'm just so happy." she sobbed softly, wrapping her arms tightly around Ronan's neck. "I feel complete now. Thank you, Rony... thank you for coming into my life."
She pulled Ronan into a desperate, sweet kiss. Ronan let out a breathless chuckle, his heart swelling as he resumed driving his hips forward, forcing heavy moans from Liora's throat once more.
"I feel the exact same way, my love. Thank you for loving me." Ronan murmured, dipping his head to capture one of Liora's hardened nipples between his teeth, sucking gently.
"Aaahh! R-Rony, I'm going to come!"
"Hold on for me, baby... Let's come together." Ronan grunted, accelerating his pace into deep, rapid thrusts.
"R-Rony! Hurry... I can't hold it!"
With a few final, forceful drives into her core, Ronan buried himself to the hilt and released his warmth deep inside Liora's channel. A second later, Liora cried out, her own release spilling across their tight embrace and coating their skin.
Both were breathing heavily, spent and trembling. Ronan carefully unhooked Liora's legs, but the woman was too weak to stand, clinging weakly to Ronan's shoulders. Ronan gently eased his softening length out of her.
"R-Rony... I want more." Liora whispered weakly against his neck.
A breathtaking smile spread across Ronan's face. "Then let's make love properly."
Ronan pressed a tender kiss to her lips, shifted her hold, and carried her bridal-style toward the bed.
Throughout the remainder of the night, they stayed wrapped in each other's arms, pouring their hearts out through touch, proving their endless devotion to one another until the first light of dawn.