A/N - Thank you for your patience with this chapter. Be sure to read the notes at the end because YOU will get to choose where the story goes from here 😊

Gabriel sat in the darkened sitting room nursing a glass of Louis XIV Cognac. The last time he had opened the elegant crystal bottle he had toasted himself at Adrien's first successful advertising campaign. He must have been around 10 years old then. Now he was toasting his own demise.

As the dying flame from the fireplace flickered his mind wandered back to the grand opening of the flagship Gabriel store. Emilie wore a lavender lace dress with a royal blue sash, holding baby Adrien in her arms as Gabriel cut the ribbon. Andre Bourgeois patted him on the back and Gabriel promised him he would support him in his bid to become Mayor for helping him get the necessary council approvals for the building. Gabriel shook his head to himself. He honestly never thought anyone was going to vote that idiot in.

He saw the proud look on Emilie's face. This had been their dream, their vision. She looked down baby Adrien, his bright green eyes looking at hers.

"Look at all this Adrien." She said, as Gabriel joined her at her side. "All of this is for you. You are an Agreste, my sweet baby boy, and one day you will be the head of a great fashion empire."

"Do you really think so?" Gabriel asked, kissing his wife's temple before kissing his son on top of his head.

"We can do anything Gabriel." She said with confidence. "You, me, and our son - just like you always wanted."

Gabriel took another sip of his drink. What would Emilie have thought of all this now? Emilie would have seen straight through Lila and Ricardo. She was an astute woman and would never have fallen into their trap the way he had done. He thought he had been so clever keeping the mole close. But if it hadn't been Lila trying to take his company from him, it would have been that damn Félix.

He looked down into his glass at the two ice cubes that rolled around in the amber liquid and he gritted his teeth. He should have been more angry at Félix for holding him to ransom like that, demanding half the company like the little upstart he is. Gabriel blamed Amelie's influence for that. And yet there was a part of him that was almost proud. Félix had taken the information he knew and used it to his advantage. How very Agreste of him. Félix had a strewed business mind much like his own, he could negotiate in a take no prisoners way, something that Adrien would never do. Adrien wasn't stupid by any means, but he was very much like his mother, more emotionally connected with people. Félix was different though, more closed off, more reserved, he was more like...

Gabriel hadn't realised how tight of a grip he had on his glass until it shattered in his hand, the shards crashing to the floor.

He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it around his bleeding hand before leaving the shattered glass on the floor and heading to his study. Standing in front of Emilie's portrait, he pressed the concealed buttons to travel down to where Emilie's resting place was. It was always his place for solitude and reflection, but hadn't expected to find Nathalie down there.

Walking across the gangway, his footsteps alerted his assistant to his presence. She stood up and he could see she was holding her tablet in her hand.

"I didn't expect to find you down here Nathalie." He said matter of fact. "We have an early meeting with the board in the morning."

"I'm aware of that, Sir." She replied. "Several members of the board have already indicated their intentions to leave and others want significant changes in return for their continued commitment. So far only Tomoe Tsurugi has pledged full support to you."

Gabriel clasped his hands behind his back. This was turning into an unmitigated disaster. "How did Lila Rossi act so fast to turn the board so quickly?"

"I believe she sent out the offers before tonight. This was just the icing on her deceitful cake and gave the perfect storm for the board to react hastily. I went through the manual receipts and it's clear Ricardo had changed my order for the fur to a different supplier, but there is no way to prove that."

"That much was already evident." Gabriel said flatly. "They disrupted the online systems and have covered their tracks perfectly and now we will have no choice but to try and go into damage control. That's not why you're down here though is it?"

Nathalie unlocked her tablet to reveal her digital copy of the Grimoire. "I know it's not something you want to discuss, but I've been trying to search for an answer that would help Emilie..."

"Nathalie, we have been through this before." Gabriel snapped in annoyance, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Making the wish is the only way to prevent the mistakes that led to what happened."

"Was it really a mistake Gabriel?" Nathalie retorted. "Emilie knew what she was doing and were both willing to accept those consequences."

"I didn't think she would have ended up like this." Gabriel shouted angrily.

"Do you really think Emilie would have done anything differently?"

Gabriel's nostrils flared out. "She used a broken Miraculous Nathalie. She tried to do something she shouldn't have."

"So what would going back change now?"

Gabriel took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes in frustration. Nathalie took a deep breath, trying to keep her own anger in check. "Will you just listen to me?" She said, trying to be calm. "What if there was a way to bring her back without the Ladybug and Cat Miraculous? I've been reading the Grimoire and I'm sure if we approached it carefully, we could get help from the Guardians at the Temple."

Gabriel pursed his lips and rubbed the rising migraine forming. "You want me to try and talk to Ladybug don't you?" It was clear he was not at all interested in this prospect. "After almost five years of chasing her and Chat Noir around, and now these current replacements, you want me to wave a white flag and concede defeat."

Nathalie let out a frustrated sigh. "It's not about winning or losing Gabriel! Do you want Emilie back or not?"

"Not like this." Gabriel snapped. "I'm not going to ask Ladybug for help. Hell can freeze over first."

Nathalie gritted her teeth. "Is this really about saving Emilie? Or is this about Félix knowing? You can't have it both ways. You told me your hope was for Adrien to marry Marinette, for them to have children and continue your legacy. How would that work if you interfere with what was done before? Changing the past can have consequences for the future. If you tell Emilie what happens, are you going to try and stop her using it?"

Gabriel looked over his shoulder at her. "It would only change one thing Nathalie, just one thing."

"It's not just one thing Gabriel. it could change everything. Is that something you would want to risk? What about Adrien and Félix?"

Gabriel looked at his wife in the glass sarcophagus and he let out a heavy sigh. "What do you want me to do Nathalie? Amelie told him everything and now Félix wants me to give him half the company."

"Then maybe you should give it to him. You owe him that much Gabriel and right now you need as much support as you can get."

Gabriel pursed his lips and closed his eyes. Half the company in exchange for De Vanily backing. He figured it couldn't be any worse than selling out to Lila Rossi. Adrien was in no position to take control of anything right now, and maybe, just maybe, this could give himself more time to get the Miraculous.

"Set it up then Nathalie. I'll make the arrangements with Félix tomorrow."

"And the Butterfly Miraculous? Will you give it up and talk to Ladybug?"

Gabriel touched the brooch under his tie. "One thing at a time Nathalie. First let's save the company, then I'll save Emilie, one way or another."
~~~~~

Félix opened the newspaper on the kitchen table while Kagami helped Marinette with breakfast in the kitchen. The headlines were as to be expected with a picture of Gabriel looking disheveled and defeated by the animal rights activists with an insert photo of Lila looking smug. She had already made a press release denouncing the Gabriel label and giving her "tell all" version of the poor culture within the company. It was clear that this press statement had been made in advance, proving at least to Félix that Lila was behind what had happened at the gala.

"The Gabriel Brand has a lot of issues going against it." Lila was quoted as saying. "This is why we here at Illusions International know that Paris deserves a fashion house that will bring them into the 21st Century. I'm excited to announce our new Spring line which will showcase a nod to Paris's fashion past with the premier of a vintage bridal collection that will create nostalgia as well as being fresh and innovative. My cousin Ricardo, who has also been forced to leave the toxic and biased environment at Gabriel, is going to be heading a young and invigorated team which will take the challenge right to Gabriel's doorstep."

Félix folded the newspaper and sat it on his lap under the table as Adrien hobbled his way into the room still in his pajamas. Marinette went over to him and gently touched his face, lifting on her toes to give him a light kiss. "Did you just wake up?"

"No, I've been on the phone to Max and Nathalie. He went over to see Nathalie early this morning to crack past the firewall. It didn't take Markov all that long to break through and find the whole Vintage bridal collection wiped and the fabric orders for the spring collection were cancelled. There is no way we can get the orders out in time now. Basically we are back to square one." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I'm going to come in with you."

"Are you sure you're up to it?" Marinette asked, helping him to sit at the table. "You haven't left the apartment for weeks except to see the doctors."

"That's exactly my point. You've been taking on all the burden on your own, Princess. It's time I took on my fair share." He said, taking her hand and kissing her palm. "Besides, I can't really stay mad at my father, if it hadn't been for his clumsy attempt of pushing us together, you might still have been my substitute girlfriend." He said with a cheeky wink.

The conversation over breakfast couldn't help but fall back on the latest news reports. It was clear that Lila had already been spreading more falsehoods in regards to the way she had been treated as a Gabriel model, alluding to the mass payout Gabriel had given her to make her leave. Of course the media was lapping that up and speculation was rife as to why Gabriel was so keen to get rid of one of his leading models and Lila was, if anything, an expert at playing the victim.

Kagami had been watching Félix throughout the conversation. He had been oddly quiet as he sipped on his tea, practically flinching at the mention of Lila's name.

Once they were finished with breakfast, Marinette went with Adrien to his room to help him get dressed, leaving Kagami to clean up the table. Félix took his newspaper back out and didn't notice the way Kagami was giving him the side eye as he read.

"Félix, come help with this." She said sharply. There was a commanding edge to her voice and she paired it with a pointed look. Félix looked at her curiously, but folded up his newspaper, picking up his plate and tea cup and following Kagami into the kitchen. No sooner had he placed the items down when she promptly backed him against the fridge, looking up at him with a pointed accusatory finger.

"Okay Félix, what's going on?"

"What?"

"Don't what me! I saw that look on your face everytime Lila was mentioned during breakfast. You looked like you were about to have a hernia. What's going on? You know something don't you?"

Félix put his hands up I'm surrender. "Alright, fine. I don't know anything specifically, but you know I dated Lila for a few weeks just before she was dismissed from Gabriel right?"

Kagami shrugged. "So? What of it?"

"She was already bitter at Gabriel even then and I got the clear impression that she was out to get him in some way and maybe try to get to Adrien too. She wasn't exactly subtle about her feelings for him, even when we were supposed to be dating." Félix loosened his tie. Having Kagami so close to him was making it difficult to think. "Can you just move out of my personal space?"

Kagami narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.

"I'm not going to run away okay." Félix said in exasperation. Kagami thought for a moment before she took a step back and Félix straightened himself up.

Kagami folded her arms and tapped her fingers. "Okay, I'm listening."

Félix straightened his tie and slicked back his hair. "Look, Adrien doesn't know about this but about a year ago Lila came to see me in London. I didn't know about the payout or Illusions or any of that, she told me she had quit from Gabriel because she was being harassed or some such rubbish. Logically I knew that was bullshit, but I listened to her sob story and took her out to a club and we had a few drinks." Kagami raised an eyebrow at him and Félix backtracked.

"Okay, we had a lot of drinks. She kept rambling on about how she was going to get even with Gabriel and how she understood how I felt being on the outside of the Agreste side of the family. That she could help me get what I really wanted and I admit, I wanted to believe her. I was hurting at the time from... let just say some revelations. I'd found out some things about my Uncle that I was dealing with, I was drinking heavily and she knew Gabriel wasn't exactly my favourite person. Between that and the alcohol... we went to a hotel and...ah..."

"You didn't?" Kagami said, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Look, I'm not exactly proud of myself alright." Félix tried to defend himself. "I was at a low point and she told me exactly what I wanted to hear. Besides, when I woke up the next day she was already gone and on her way back to Milan so I assumed it was just a one night stand that would be forgotten. I never heard from her again until she showed up with Ricardo at the gala. Then she sent me these just before you came out to the kitchen last night."

Félix showed Kagami the text messages Lila had sent him. Kagami scanned over the messages before looking back up at him. "Rekindle old times? Is she serious?"

Félix shook his head. "She wants me to take her side in this, in fact I'd almost bet she expected it."

"But you still said no." Kagami pointed out. Félix dropped his head and looked away from her. "Why?"

Because of you, he wanted to tell her. He looked back at her but he couldn't say the words. Maybe that kiss on the cheek last night had just been a fevered dream. Maybe she was like Lila and only wanted him because he looked like Adrien? They all wanted Adrien didn't they? Félix would always only ever be second best, the reject, and yet for whatever reason she made him want to try to be the kind of man he had always wished he could be.

"I have my reasons for wanting to get at Gabriel, and I admit I was jealous of Adrien as a byproduct of that, but siding with someone like Lila..." He shook his head with a look of disgust. "I'm not here to be her stooge, or anyone else's."

"Then why are you here?" Kagami asked, her voice softer than before as she stepped closer to him. "You're a hard person to work out, Félix. You act like you don't care about anyone else but yourself and yet you put that newspaper on your lap this morning so Adrien wouldn't see the headlines about his father, you put yourself in danger to protect his girlfriend and you single-handedly took down those protestors to save me..." She added with a small smile. "What are you really here for?"

The air had become heavier between them. Félix swallowed thickly, his mouth rapidly drying as he searched her hazel eyes. It made it harder to keep secrets when looking at her made him want to tell her everything, everything he knew, everything he was. Would she turn from him in scorn if she knew the truth?

"To claim something that's rightfully mine that Gabriel is trying to keep from me. I promise it's nothing to do with Lila." He said, feeling himself wanting to draw closer to her.

"Alright Félix. I'll believe you." Kagami said, looking earnestly at him. "But you have to promise me that whatever it is you're going to do, you won't hurt Adrien or Marinette."

Félix desperately wanted to reach out and tuck away the stray hair that had fallen across her face, but he fought back against the desire. "I can only tell you that hurting them isn't my intention, but I can't make promises I can't keep. I'm not a good person, Kagami. You're better off keeping away from me. I only end up hurting the people closest to me."

On the other side of the divider, Kagami and Félix heard Marinette and Adrien come into the lounge room. Félix moved first, heading into the lounge with Kagami following behind.

"Are you coming with us Kagami?" Marinette asked, getting Adrien's coat and helping him into it. Kagami looked at Félix. A part of her was telling her that there were more secrets and it wouldn't be long before they came to the surface. "Kagami?"

"Yes, I'll come." Kagami eventually replied, figuring she better at least keep an eye on him.

~~~~~

As the group arrived at Gabriel Inc, they could see where a press pack was being set up outside on the steps that led into the building. Nathalie was out there overseeing the set up.

"Adrien, I wasn't expecting to see you here." She said, coming over to see him.

"My father and I might not always see eye to eye at times, but I think it's important that we keep a united front against people like Lila." He said, slowly making his way up the stairs.

"You should take the elevator." Kagami told him, but Adrien shook his head.

"I'm not an invalid." He replied. "I need to start finding some kind of normalcy at some stage, even if it's just baby steps."

Adrien was painfully aware that people in the foyer were looking at him as he crossed the floor on his crutches - or staring would be a more accurate description. It was true that no one had really seen him since the accident, and maybe his hair wasn't as neat as he used to keep it, but he wasn't expecting the looks of pity that were being given his way. He wasn't sure if it was pity for the state his leg was in, pity for no longer competing in the Olympics or pity for what would invariably be the end of his modeling career and a future behind an executive desk. One thing Adrien didn't want though was people's pity.

He felt Marinette's hand on his back and it brought him straight back to things he was grateful for, his Lady being by his side.

Nathalie led them to the media room which was on the ground floor. Félix moved to get on the other side of Adrien and helped Marinette to sit him down. Adrien grimmanced, letting his girlfriend lift his leg onto another chair.

"You were right Kagami, I should have taken the lift." He puffed, feeling a cramp forming in his upper calf.

"Of course I was right." The Japanese girl replied, shaking her head. "You are trying to do too much too soon."

Adrien huffed. "I've been sitting on my backside for weeks. I can't just sit around doing nothing and watching Netflix... half the shows suck anyway."

"Maybe you should watch the press conference from here, Adrien." Nathalie suggested, turning on the large TV in the room. "I'm sure your father will appreciate you being here in support."

"Where is my father?"

"In his office reading over the statement. We've kept it simple highlighting human error and rookie staff for the mistake."

"What about Lila?" Marinette asked. "Surely the blame has to be laid on her?"

Nathalie shook her head. "We can't prove Lila or Ricardo were connected in any of this, nothing concrete anyway. Our lawyers strongly advised against making any reference to them as we could open ourselves wide for a lawsuit."

"Ms Sancour?" The receptionist called, tapping on the door. "There is a small group of animal rights protesters forming out the front."

"Oh no." Nathalie exclaimed, holding her head. "Are they causing trouble?"

"Not yet. They are standing around with anti-fur placards and chanting slogans. Should I call Officer Raincomprix?"

Nathalie thought for a moment. "No, let's not antagonise them. Get our security to just keep an eye on them and I'll come out."

The lights flickered in the building and everyone froze momentarily.

"What was that?" Marinette asked.

"That would be your friend Max. He's been working on getting the security system back up and running." Nathalie rubbed her temple. "I better go out and see what these protesters are up to. Oh and Félix, Mr Agreste would like to see you and Kagami before the press conference."

Kagami looked at her surprised. "But Mr Agreste didn't know I was coming."

Nathalie smirked and pointed to a small security camera in the corner of the room. "He knows everyone who comes in and out of here." She said before leaving the room.

Once Félix and Kagami had also left, Marinette looked up at Adrien who had a small frown.

"Are you alright Kitty?" Marinette asked, rubbing the cramp Adrien had in his "good" leg.

"Yeah." He replied, sounding deflated. "I just didn't expect the way everyone was staring at me."

"You have to admit, it does look pretty gruesome Mr Bionicman." Marinette tried to make light of the steel pins. Adrien gave her a half smile.

"It's not that so much, it's the fact they feel sorry for me, like my life is somehow over. But it's not over, with you I feel like it's just beginning even if I have no idea where it's going."

Marinette gently cupped his face between both her hands. "You are going to do amazing things, Chaton." She said, looking him in the eyes. "We are going to do amazing things." She kissed him and then sat back in her seat beside him holding his hand and watching the TV.

Meanwhile, Félix and Kagami took the lift to the top floor where Gabriel's office was. Knocking, they entered to find the designer at his windows looking over the Parisian skyline. He turned as they entered.

"Miss Tsurugi, an unexpected pleasure." He said with a nod of the head.

"Good morning Mr Agreste." Kagami replied, knowing full well he knew she was there. "I wanted to confirm with you that my mother pledges her full support to the company."

"I appreciate that." Gabriel said solemnly. "Several members of the board quit this morning accepting offers from Illusions to jump ship, others are pushing for a merger." He shook his head in dismay. "Have you spoken to Adrien this morning, Félix?"

"He came with us, Uncle. He's downstairs in the media room."

Gabriel genuinely looked surprised at that and perhaps had a trace of guilt considering he hadn't gone to see him since New Year. "I'll go down and speak to him after. With the supports of the Tsurugi's we can keep the company afloat but the only way we can guarantee Miss Rossi can't buy us out is..." He hesitated momentarily. Walking over to his desk he picked up some paperwork and looked over it. Turning to Félix, he handed the paper to him.

Félix glanced over it before looking back up at his Uncle. "You're really giving me half the company?"

Gabriel nodded slowly. "It would appear I no longer have a choice. Miss Rossi has forced my hand, which is fortuitous for you."

Kagami suddenly stepped forward. "But what about Adrien? You can't just give away his inheritance without even consulting him."

Gabriel regarded her for a moment. "I would do no such thing Miss Tsurugi. I will be stepping back after today, but will remain as the chair of the board. My intention is to give Félix my half of the company. Adrien will automatically receive his mother's half at 22, or if he marries, whichever happens first. It had always been Emilie's intention that we would integrate him and his eventual wife into the company so we could retire by the time he was approaching 28 or so and go into semi-retirement. Emilie had everything planned." His voice dropped away slightly as he looked at a picture of Emilie on his desk.

Kagami gave a knowing smile. "So that is why you were so stubborn about pushing Adrien and Marinette together."

"I must admit, my intention was for Adrien to train under once he had finished with his Fencing and the Olympics, but I am having to reconsider that position. I will discuss all this with him of course, and if he agrees I will train Félix instead."

Félix was almost lost for words, but there was a twinge of guilt there too. Yes he wanted to take half the company, he believed it was his right, but he hadn't meant to replace Adrien. "I don't know what to say. It's more than I expected."

"You misjudged me Félix as I believe I misjudged you. Take the forms with you, read over them and tell Adrien I will see him after the press conference." Félix nodded, folding the form up and placing it in the inside pocket of his jacket.

"Well done to you too Miss Tsurugi, it appears you have chosen the next CEO of Gabriel Incorporated as your beau."

Both Kagami and Felix's eyes popped open. "Oh we're not... I mean I didn't... that is to say..." Félix floundered.

"Oh dear Lord, you're starting to sound like Adrien." Gabriel said, shaking his head and pinching the bridge of his nose. "Go before I change my mind and decide this is a bad idea."

Félix held the door open for Kagami and followed her out into the corridor. The lights flickered again overhead as they pressed the button on the elevator.

"Do you really think we should be taking the elevator with the electricity playing up?" Kagami asked as the numbers above slowly began to ascend.

"Do you really want to walk down fifteen flights of stairs?" Félix responded, still feeling flushed after what Gabriel had suggested about them. Right now he was keen to just get back down to Adrien and Marinette and tell them about what was going to be happening with the company.

They entered the elevator and Félix pressed his back to the wall as Kagami pushed the button for the ground floor. Kagami felt there was an awkwardness between them as they stood silently watching the numbers slowly descend. Suddenly the power went out and the elevator stopped in the darkness.

"You've got to be kidding me." Félix exclaimed, pressing the buttons. A soft orange emergency light came on, but it was clear they weren't going anywhere.

~~~~~

"I heard from Alya this morning too. She and Nino are on their way back and they will come and see us in a few days. She suggested a movie and pizza night like we used to do in Lycée."

Adrien's face broke into a wide grin. "I'd like that. At least this time I won't have to sit uncomfortably while the two of them decide to start exploring each other's mouths next to me."

Marinette looked at him curiously. "Why, you think they have grown out of it? I'm not sure they are that sick of each other yet."

Adrien chuckled, holding her chin between his fingers. "No, because this time I'll be too busy exploring yours."

Marinette couldn't help giggling when Adrien brushed his nose against hers before pressing their lips together. The moment didn't last long though when all the power in the building suddenly went out.

"Do you think Max is rebooting the system?" Marinette asked.

"Maybe." Adrien replied unsure. Looking out the door he saw a lot of footsteps running and people calling out. His phone rang and he saw it was Max so he put the phone on speaker.

"Did you knock the power out?"

"Absolutely not. Markov was resetting the security system when it was attacked from the outside. This isn't amateur either, whoever is behind this is well financed and well resourced. Your father has a state of the art system here and yet they have shut everything down although I can't see a reason why."

"Can Markov fix it?" Adrien asked, noticing Marinette was sending and receiving text messages on her phone.

"We are working on it and I am confident. I should at least be able to get the electricity up soon."

"I'll let you keep working on it."

When Adrien hung up he saw Marinette chewing on her lip with a small smirk on her face. "What is it?" He asked.

"Kagami and Félix are trapped in a lift between the second and third floors."

Adrien couldn't help chuckling at that. "Well, I'm sure knowing those two they won't be trapped for long."

For a few minutes they watched the hurried footsteps of staff running about before Nathalie rushed into the room, her phone to her ear. She looked flushed like she had been running herself and her hair was starting to fall out of her carefully styled bun. "Adrien, have you heard from your father?"

Adrien furrowed his eyebrows. "No, why?"

Nathalie's eyes widened in panic. "He wasn't answering his phone so I took one of the service lifts up. It's linked to a generator and still operates in the event of a power outage. He isn't in his office and all I found was this envelope."

Adrien took the envelope from her which had his name printed on it and opened it to find a white folded card. On the front was printed in a plain font "I have a secret." Opening the card there were two grainy images inside, one was of his father standing in his home study the other was an image of Hawk Moth standing in the same spot.

"No!" Adrien shouted, shaking his head in disbelief. "No he can't be, this can't be! Nathalie, tell me this is fake. Tell me this isn't true."

Nathalie looked as though tears were forming in her eyes. "I'm so sorry Adrien, but it is true, your father is Hawk Moth."

*Voting has now closed. Thank you to all those who participated. *

Readers Choice - Alright dear readers, secrets are going to be revealed in the next chapter and there is an important choice for you to make.

Choice one - Félix is a sentibeing but Adrien is not
or
Choice two - Both Adrien and Félix are twin sentibeings.

You can vote in the comments below and I will tally the results on Wednesday March 30 (Australian time) from Wattpad, A03 and Instagram