Chapter 13: The Foster Heir

The following morning, the Foster estate was unusually busy.

News of Cassandra's attempted fraud had spread through the family.

Everyone was waiting to see how Elliot would respond.

Avery, however, wanted nothing to do with the gossip.

She sat quietly in the garden with a book in her hands.

For the first time in years, she felt tired of fighting.

Not tired enough to give up.

Just tired of constantly defending herself.

Elliot found her there.

"You disappeared."

Avery looked up.

"I wanted some quiet."

"Did you sleep?"

"A little."

Elliot sat beside her.

"You shouldn't have to deal with your family like this."

"They're not really my family anymore."

"Avery..."

"I know they're related to me."

"But family should make you feel safe."

"They never did."

Elliot remained silent.

Then he reached over and closed the book in her hands.

"Come with me."

"Where?"

"You need to see something."

He led her into the main hall.

Several Foster executives and family elders were already gathered there.

Rosalie stood at the center of the room.

Avery immediately became nervous.

"What's going on?" she asked.

Elliot took her hand.

"You'll find out."

One of the senior family lawyers stepped forward.

"Mr. Foster, the board members have arrived."

"Good."

Elliot looked around the room.

"I asked everyone here because there is something I want made clear."

The room became silent.

"Avery Tate is my wife."

"She is not a temporary arrangement."

"She is not here because she wants Foster money."

"And she will not be treated as an outsider."

Avery stared at him.

Elliot continued.

"From today forward, everyone will address her with the same respect given to me."

One of the older relatives looked uncomfortable.

"Elliot, we're only concerned about the future of the company."

"Then concern yourself with the company."

"My marriage is not a business matter."

"And my wife is not a bargaining chip."

The relative immediately lowered his head.

"Understood."

Rosalie smiled proudly.

"There is one more matter," she said.

She handed a document to the family lawyer.

"This is the updated Foster family succession agreement."

Avery looked confused.

"What does that have to do with me?"

Elliot looked at her.

"Everything."

The lawyer opened the document.

"According to the revised agreement, Mrs. Avery Foster is now officially recognized as the legal spouse and primary family representative beside Mr. Elliot Foster."

"Her rights within the Foster family are protected under the family trust."

Avery's eyes widened.

"Elliot, I don't need this."

"I know."

"That's exactly why I'm giving it to you."

Avery looked at him in confusion.

"I don't understand."

"You spent your entire life being treated as though you weren't enough."

"I want you to understand that no one gets to do that anymore."

Her eyes slowly filled with tears.

"You don't have to prove anything to my family," he continued.

"You don't have to earn your place beside me."

"You already have it."

The room remained silent.

Avery wiped away a tear.

"Thank you."

Elliot squeezed her hand.

"You belong here."

Later that afternoon, Avery accompanied Elliot to Foster Holdings for the first time since his recovery.

The moment they entered the headquarters, employees stood respectfully.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Foster."

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Foster."

Avery smiled politely.

She wasn't accustomed to being treated with such respect.

On the top floor, Elliot led her into the executive office.

"This is where I spend most of my time."

"I can see why you work too much."

Elliot smiled.

"Maybe I have a better reason to go home now."

Avery's cheeks warmed.

"You really are getting better at this."

"At what?"

"Making me blush."

He laughed softly.

For several minutes, they worked together.

Avery reviewed some of the foundation projects while Elliot handled company matters.

It felt surprisingly natural.

Then Marcus entered with urgent news.

"Sir, the board meeting has been moved forward."

"Why?"

"Three major investors are requesting an explanation regarding the company's leadership transition."

Elliot stood.

"Let's go."

Before leaving, he looked at Avery.

"Do you want to come?"

"To the board meeting?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I want the board to know who stands beside me."

Avery hesitated.

Then she smiled.

"Alright."

The boardroom was filled with senior executives and investors.

Several looked surprised when Avery entered beside Elliot.

One investor whispered to another.

"That's his wife?"

"Yes."

Elliot took his seat.

Avery sat beside him.

"Let's begin," he said.

The meeting lasted nearly two hours.

Elliot answered every question with confidence.

When one investor questioned whether his recovery would affect the company's future, Elliot remained calm.

"I survived the accident."

"I survived six months in a coma."

"I will survive whatever comes next."

The room became silent.

Then Avery quietly added,

"And the company will continue to grow because it isn't built around one person's weakness."

"It's built around a team."

Several executives nodded in agreement.

Elliot looked at her with quiet admiration.

After the meeting, Marcus followed them into the hallway.

"That was impressive, Mrs. Foster."

"Thank you."

Elliot smiled.

"Told you she belonged here."

That evening, the couple returned home together.

Avery looked at the city lights through the car window.

"Today felt different."

"How?"

"For the first time, I didn't feel like someone who married into the Foster family."

"I felt like I was part of it."

Elliot reached for her hand.

"You are."

She smiled.

"Then I'll try to believe it."

"You don't have to try anymore."

"Just stay."

Avery turned toward him.

"I'm not going anywhere."

Elliot smiled.

Neither of them knew...

That the Foster family had finally accepted Avery.

But somewhere in the shadows...

One person was still watching them.

And unlike Wanda or Cassandra...

This person had enough power to threaten everything they had built.