18.
“What the heck are you saying, Bianca? We're here trying to find a way of increasing our stock, and you have the guts to tell me to sign a contract worth millions with the Millers?” Mr. Sullivan snapped at Bianca, who went on her knees immediately. “Father, please, you can use them as part of your investment. Their company is on the verge of bankruptcy, and I am sure they will work hard if you give them this contract. They can in turn help in boosting the company's sales as well.” “You are doing this because of the love you have for that man. I can't let that happen. Do you think it's that easy?” “I understand what you're saying, Father,” Bianca replied, her voice trembling. “But I assure you, this is a sound business decision. The Millers' company may be struggling, but they have a loyal customer base and a strong brand. With our investment, they can turn things around and become a valuable asset to our company. And as for Nathan, I know you may think I'm biased, but I promise you, my feelings for him have nothing to do with this proposal. I'm thinking about the future of our company, not my personal relationships.” Mr. Sullivan scowled, his face red with anger. “You're just like your mother, always thinking with your heart instead of your head. I can't trust you to make rational decisions. Get out of my sight, Bianca. You're no longer welcome in this office.” Bianca's eyes welled up with tears as she slowly got up from her knees. If her father wasn't going to listen, she knew the ultimate way to make him surrender. He hated to see her cry, and she was more than ready to show him just how much tears she was willing to shed so he could help Nathan. She wasn't going to lose Nathan this way. She must fight to keep him, and so she burst into tears, causing Mr. Sullivan's eyes to widen. “Bianca, stop that right now!” he ordered, but her cries only got louder. Well, what did he expect from a spoiled heiress? “Father please, just this once. Help me please, we can't let Nathan's company go bankrupt just like that. I already explained everything to you, but you're hurting me by acting this way.” she let out a shrill cry, tears streaming down her face in torrents. “Bianca, don't make me call security. I'll forget you are my daughter and call them to kick you out if you don't stop what you're doing right now.” he thundered. But Bianca refused to give up. She fell to her knees, her body shaking with sobs. “Father, please. I know I've made mistakes in the past, but this time I'm thinking clearly. Nathan's company is a sound investment, and with our help, he can turn things around. Please, Father, have a heart.” she held his leg, her tears dropping on his shoes. Her father's expression softened slightly at the sight of his daughter's tears, but he quickly regained his composure. “Bianca, stop being dramatic and get out of my office,” he said sternly. But Bianca continued to plead, her voice hoarse from crying. “Father, please. Just this once. Help me help Nathan. I promise I'll make it worth your while. I'll do anything, just please, Father, grant me this one wish.” Mr. Sullivan sighed, his expression weary. “Bianca, you're pushing me too hard. I'm not made of stone, you know.” Bianca saw a glimmer of hope and pressed on. “I know you're not, Father. That's why I'm begging you. Please have mercy on Nathan. He's a good man, and he doesn't deserve to lose everything.” Mr. Sullivan rubbed his temples, his face pale. “Fine, Bianca. I'll grant you your wish. But if this turns out to be a mistake, you'll be the one who'll suffer the consequences.” Bianca's tears stopped, and she looked up at her father with a radiant smile. “Thank you, Father. I promise you won't regret this. Nathan will make it worth your while, I swear.” Her father nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “I hope so, Bianca. For your sake, I hope so.” **** Later that night… Bianca drove to Nathan's house, her heart racing with excitement. She couldn't wait to share the news with him. As she walked into the house, she was greeted by Nathan's mother, Laylani, and his little brother, Lucas. “Hey, Bianca! What brings you here today?” Laylani asked, smiling. “Just wanted to drop by and see Nathan,” Bianca replied, trying to contain her enthusiasm. Nathan walked into the room, a curious expression on his face. “Hey, what's up? You look like you're in a good mood. What's going on?” Bianca grinned mischievously. “Guess.” Nathan thought for a moment. “Ummm, did you get a designer bag that's out of this world like the last time?” he blinked at her. Bianca shook her head, her smile growing wider. “Nope, guess again.” Nathan furrowed his brow. “Hmm… Has your father finally fixed the day you will be announced as the CEO of his company?” Bianca chuckled. “No, it's much better than that.” Nathan's eyes narrowed. “I give up. What's going on?” Bianca waved the contract paper in the air, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “My father is ready to work with you, Nathan! He's agreed to invest in your company!” she exclaimed. The room fell silent, and then erupted into cheers and hugs. Laylani and Lucas congratulated Bianca and Nathan, beaming with pride. Nathan's face lit up with a radiant smile. “Are you kidding me right now? Are you for real?” he asked, and she nodded, smiling. “Like, you're for real, Bianca? This isn't a joke, right?” “No, it's not,” Bianca chuckled. “Your company finally has the opportunity to bounce back.” Nathan couldn't contain his joy as he pecked her cheek and lifted her off the ground. Laylani tapped Lucas, and they walked away, leaving the two to celebrate. Nathan couldn't believe Bianca was able to convince her father for his sake. When he finally dropped her, she wrapped her hand around his neck. “Now that the matter with your company has been taken care of, when are you going to propose to me?” she asked and Nathan's countenance changed.33.SULLIVAN GROUP"That little girl! Who does she think she is to order us around and act like our ideas are insignificant?" Will snapped, banging his hand on the desk.After the meeting, they had come to speak with Mr. Sullivan, who had already seen the news. Reporters had stormed outside Salvador's group building and interviewed Samantha. She told them she was changing the model, but didn't disclose what it was going to be.The news already went viral and literally everyone had seen it. They were curious to know what she wanted to do since she was new. Everyone knew the kind of models Salvador Group used, but had no idea what Samantha was going to do. They only guessed and waited for the day.Mr. Sullivan massaged his forehead. "She just came and is already giving us a headache. I think we need to step up our game. If her model makes sense and is accepted in Detroit, her stocks will increase, not to mention doors with new business deals will be opened and she will become more power
32.The whole place went silent immediately those words left Samantha's lips. “I don't know why you find everything I do wrong and tend to complain a lot, but I am the CEO, and have the right to change whatever I want. This is my company, and its success or failures starts with me. I am not ready to settle for less, I hope you can understand that, Director Will,” she said, her voice calm and collected, but her tone was authoritative, and they all got the message she was trying to pass across.They knew she was trying to ask them not to test her patience or cross her. She wasn't going to allow any of them to trample on her.Her glare handed. “Do you understand, Director Will?” she asked again, her voice firm.“Yes.” Will answered and took a seat.She nodded and looked at everyone seated in the room. “Does anybody have anything else to say?” she asked, but they shook their heads. “Does this mean we can give the new model and design a chance?” she asked, her voice returning to its normal
31.Aiden was seated in the conference room, his face glued to the door as he waited for Samantha to come. He had tried calling her, but her number was not reachable. He didn't have Linda's number else he would have called her as well.He wondered what could be keeping her, and if she was okay. “What is keeping her so long? Has she no idea that the meeting can't start without her?” Mr. Will snorted, his expression stern as he turned to look at the other directors to be sure they agreed with him.“You're right, Director Will. One thing I hate is tardiness. I thought she wasn't someone of this sort, but I'm beginning to take my words back.” Another one spoke up, and the rest nodded their heads in agreement.Aiden didn't answer them or say a word to them. He simply sat down with a plain expression on his face. Director Will, happy that the other directors weren't pleased, turned to look at Aiden. Since he saw that Aiden didn't look happy or sad, he decided to speak up, maybe Aiden wasn'
30.Samantha stormed into her room and flung her handbag on the bed. She wondered why he was always acting like a saint when all men were the same. As far as Nathan could break her after all the love and affection he showed her, she had no doubt Aiden would do the same, and she was guarding herself from him and his lies.“Don't you think you were too hard on him?” Linda asked as she walked into the room.Samantha turned to her. “What are you talking about? Did you hear us?” she asked.“I didn't hear, but I saw how you slammed the door and walked off, and I know how your anger can be, Samantha.” Linda folded her arms, taking a seat on the couch in the room.“I wasn't hard on him. I just had to put him in his place. He keeps acting as if he is different from other men!” Samantha facepalmed and slumped on the bed, releasing a heavy sigh.“What if he is different?” Linda asked.Samantha quickly sat up with a frown. “No, he is not. If Nathan can do it, so can he.”“You don't have to judge
29.After Mia walked out, Samantha soaked her handkerchief into the water and used it to wipe her gown, but the stains were still there since her gown was white in color. She ran her hands through her hair, not knowing what else to do. She wondered why Aiden's cousin would be this mean. It wasn't like she was even interested in the guy, so why was the lady all worked up?With a sigh, she walked out of the bathroom, trying her best to ignore the stains on her cloth. Her intention was to just go there and tell Aiden that she no longer wanted to have dinner.When she got there, Aiden's eyes went to her clothes. “Sam, your clothes are still stained.”“Yeah, I know,” she tucked a strand of hair behind her ears.“I'm so sorry, Sammy, I had no idea my clumsiness would be this…” Mia trailed off and sighed, giving Samantha an innocent expression. “I'm so sorry. Please don't be mad.” she pleaded, and Samantha couldn't believe this lady. She was acting like some sort of angel in Aiden's presenc
28.Aiden tapped his feet on the floor numerous times as he awaited Samantha's reply to his invite. He would glance at his phone every second and Seth just sat, watching him."No reply yet?" Seth asked."It's been fifteen minutes. What's taking her so long? She read it and refused to say anything." he ruffled his hair."Be patient. Maybe she tapped on the message by mistake and hasn't glanced at her phone to see it." he tried to comfort Aiden, who just looked away.After two minutes, he stood to his feet. "If she isn't going to reply to my text, I'll just have to meet her face to face and get the answer out of her." Just as he was about to take a step, his phone beeped. He quickly checked it and his face lit up at her reply "She said yes!" he exclaimed happily, did a dance and turned around, walking out of the office with the car keys twirling in his hand.Seth wondered if it was a proposal because how can a man like Aiden be so happy because a lady accepted his invite to a dinner da