Governor Cole's office was exactly how Liam imagined it , polished wood paneling, an American flag in one corner, and a wall of framed photographs projecting legacy. Power curated like an art collection.
But Liam wasn't here to admire it.
He stood in the center of the room, hands at his sides, heart steady. Across the desk, Governor Richard Cole regarded him like a man sizing up a threat in a tailored suit.
"You've got nerve, Vale," the governor said coolly, folding his hands. "Showing up unannounced like this."
"You threatened her," Liam said. "We're past the point of courtesy."
The governor raised a brow. "I gave Grace a choice. Her independence or entanglement with someone whose reputation is toxic to her work. That's not a threat. That's reality."
Liam leaned in slightly. "You used your influence to pull contracts. You spread rumors through back channels. You're not protecting her. You're trying to control her."
"I'm protecting her future" the governor said, his tone hardening. "You think what happened between you two doesn't affect everything she's built , Her firm lives on credibility. On trust. She's sacrificed too much to throw it away on a man like you."
Liam's jaw tightened "You don't get to decide who she loves."
"And you don't get to walk in here and pretend you're a hero," the governor snapped. "I've dealt with your kind before. Billionaires who think their money gives them a conscience. It doesn't. You build towers, not legacies."
"I built everything I have from the ground up," Liam said quietly. "No family name, no backroom deals. I've made mistakes but I never pretended to be perfect , but you did."
The governor stood "You ' will ' stay away from my daughter."
"I won't," Liam said "Because unlike you, I actually believe in her. And she believes in me"
The door opened behind them
They both turned
Grace stood in the doorway, her face pale, eyes wide. Neither of them had seen her come in. She held a folder in one hand, the other gripping the doorframe like it was the only thing keeping her upright.
"Grace …" her father said, the edge of command in his voice softening.
"How long…" she asked, voice shaking. "How long have you been trying to undermine me?"
Richard took a breath "It's not like that."
She walked into the room slowly "You pulled funding from my partners. You made calls to investors. You let the media paint me as Liam's pawn."
"I was trying to protect you."
"No," she said, her voice rising. "You were trying to own me."
Silence.
Her eyes met Liam's and something in her shattered and rebuilt all at once "You came here for me"
"Always" he said.
She turned back to her father, straighter now. Stronger. "You don't control my future , also you don't control who I love and if you try to make me choose between you and Liam again, you won't like the answer"
"Grace…"
She shook her head "You taught me to fight, you just never expected it would be against you"
She walked to Liam's side and slipped her hand into his.
Governor Cole looked at them , his daughter and Liam Cole , unshaken and finally understood what he'd lost.
"You've made your choice, then," he said.
"I have" Grace answered "And I'm not going back."
Together, she and Liam walked out of the office, past the portrait-lined hallway and the polished doors.
This time, no one could stop them.