The Billionaire's Brat Wants Me-Chapter 255: Family, Finally

The house felt different the moment we stepped inside.

Not warmer—nothing that dramatic—but different enough that I noticed it immediately.

Helen Moreau stood near the staircase, posture straight as ever, hands folded neatly in front of her. She looked exactly the same as she always had: composed, distant, unreadable. Val slowed beside me, fingers tightening around mine just slightly.

"Good morning," Val said first.

"Good morning, Mrs. Moreau," I followed.

For a fraction of a second, Helen only looked at us. Then she nodded. Just once.

"Your father and Lucien are waiting in the study," she said.

That was it.

No smile. No extra words.

But she had answered.

I felt Val react beside me—not outwardly, not in any way someone else would catch—but I knew her well enough to feel it. A quiet surprise. Something loosening.

"Thank you, Mom," Val said.

Helen nodded again, already turning away.

Val exhaled softly once we were out of sight.

"Did you see that?" she murmured.

"I did," I said.

She shook her head, almost smiling, then pulled me along toward the study.

Charlie was seated behind his desk when we entered, back straight, expression firm but… calmer than usual. Lucien stood near one of the shelves, a glass of wine in hand, looking like he'd been pacing before we arrived.

"Dad," Val greeted.

"Celestia," Charlie replied evenly.

Then his eyes shifted to me.

"Kai," he said. Calm. Welcoming.

Val froze for half a second.

So did Lucien.

"Good morning, sir," I said.

Lucien recovered first. "Hey, Cel."

She smiled at him. "Hey."

Lucien crossed the room and held out a hand. "Thanks for coming, bud."

I shook it. "Of course."

Charlie gestured toward the chairs. "Sit."

We did.

His gaze moved between the three of us before he spoke again. "I'll get straight to it. The detective found him."

Val leaned forward instantly. "Engr. Julio?"

Charlie nodded. "William located him two days ago. He didn't resist. Didn't ask for a lawyer. He talked."

Lucien straightened. "Everything?"

"Yes," Charlie said. "Money laundering. Shell entities. Fabricated transfer trails. FreeGain Investment Enterprise was his creation, funded through layered accounts tied directly to Vanguard Ark Investments."

Val sucked in a breath. "So Otavio—"

"Was using him," Charlie finished. "And paying him well. Was paying him well."

Lucien cursed under his breath.

"There's a full recording," Charlie continued. "Signed statements. Transaction maps. Enough to bury both Benjamin Otavio and Vanguard Ark Investments."

Val's fingers clenched. "Then we take Otavio to court."

Lucien nodded. "Immediately."

Charlie leaned back slightly. "That was my thought as well."

Val didn't slow. "We should move before he scrambles. File an injunction. Freeze assets. Once news leaks—"

"We control the narrative," Lucien added. "If this drags out, shareholders panic."

Charlie listened. Really listened. No interruptions. No sharp remarks.

Then his eyes turned to me.

"What do you think, Kai?"

I blinked.

Val's knee brushed mine under the table. I could feel her excitement without even looking at her.

"I think," I said carefully, "that with the evidence you have, a legal approach would be swift. Clean. If handled properly, it limits Otavio's ability to retaliate."

Charlie nodded once.

"Moreau Dynamics will proceed with legal action," he said. "We'll be working with Harrington, Cole & Myers LLP."

Lucien whistled softly. "Going nuclear."

Val smiled.

"There is one issue," Charlie added. "Their lead corporate attorney is currently out of town." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

I paused. Harrington, Cole & Myers didn't rotate that position casually. Their lead corporate attorney handled mergers, hostile takeovers, cases exactly like this.

Harrington, Cole & Myers only trusted one person with that seat.

I frowned slightly. "You mean... Darwin Cole?"

Charlie paused. "You know him?"

Val answered instantly, grin wide. "He's my husband's brother-in-law. They're very close. I'm also the godmother of his twins. So—very close."

The emphasis on 'my husband' was unmistakable.

Charlie froze.

Then he laughed.

Lucien laughed too, shaking his head. "So dramatic."

"Tell me about it," I muttered.

Charlie looked at me again—really looked this time—and smiled.

A real one.

"Then I suppose our timing is better than I thought," he said.

Charlie's gaze stayed on me. "Do you think you can speak to Mr. Cole? See if he'd be willing to return early—or better yet, take lead on the case himself."

I nodded once. "I can call him. I'll brief him on everything and forward the materials. If he's available, he'll step in."

Val leaned forward slightly, not even trying to hide her confidence. "He will," she said. "If Kai is the one asking."

Lucien glanced at her, then at me, amused. "That certain?"

She smiled, unapologetic. "Very."

I squeezed her hand lightly under the desk, just enough for her to notice. A gentle reminder—dial it down a notch. I knew exactly what she was doing. She was trying to make her dad see it, all over again: that she had made the right choice. That I was, in her eyes, perfect.

She caught my glance, and her smile widened, eyes sparkling.

"What? It's true," she whispered. "You know he'll wrap up whatever he's doing or pass it to someone else if you asked directly."

I looked at her, letting my eyes linger just a little longer than usual. There was so much love and mischief in her eyes, that I had to suppress the small smile threatening to escape.

Across the table, Charlie's eyes followed us, and for a fraction of a second, I caught a flicker of recognition in his expression. A knowing smile formed. He leaned back slightly, arms crossing over his chest. The corners of his mouth twitched with amusement.

"You know," he said slowly, "I was young once too. And I see it—the side she gets from her mother. That stubbornness, that little spark of 'I'm right and you'll see it.' But the brains… that's mine, clearly."

Val laughed softly, leaning closer to me under the guise of whispering. "See? I'm a mix."

Charlie's gaze softened, though the humor never left. "Careful, Kai. You're not just dealing with her charm and intelligence—you're dealing with strategy and persistence, both."

I tightened my hold on her hand just a fraction, letting her know I had her back, and I wasn't intimidated. "Noted sir," I murmured, my eyes flicking to her for a moment before meeting his. "But I know exactly how to handle both."

Charlie chuckled, shaking his head. "I can see why she married you, even if it... took me a while to realize it."

Val's grin widened, and she gave me a quick squeeze, her way of saying, See? I told you so.

I exhaled softly and returned my attention to Charlie. "I'll make the call, sir. He'll get all the details and know what's expected."

Charlie nodded approvingly. "Good. I trust you'll handle it. And… try not to let her outmaneuver you too often."

I smirked, glancing at Val one last time. "Noted, sir."

Her eyes softened, a mixture of pride and affection lighting them up, while Charlie's smile grew broader. He could see the dynamics, the bond, and even the gentle influence she had over me. And I knew, quietly, he was enjoying every second of observing it.

Charlie studied me for a moment longer, then finally gave a slow nod. "Then we proceed on that front."

The rest of the meeting blurred together after that. Lighter. Easier. Val filled the room with her usual energy, Lucien added dry commentary, and for the first time, Charlie didn't shut it down.

When we stood to leave, Charlie stopped me near the door.

"Kai," he said. "A word."

Val squeezed my hand once before stepping out with Lucien.

The door closed.

Charlie faced me, expression serious again—but not harsh.

"I owe you an apology," he said. "For how I've treated you."

I stayed quiet.

"You've proven yourself," he continued. "More than once. And I was wrong."

He extended a hand. "You're the right man for my daughter. I'm proud to call you my son."

My chest tightened.

I took his hand. "Of course... Dad."

He blinked.

I winced slightly. "Too soon?"

He laughed. "With time, I'll get used to it."

When we stepped back into the hall together, Val looked up at us—head tilted, eyes shining.

And in that moment, I knew.

No matter what came next, this was worth it.

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To be continued...