Chapter 011

ZACHARY 👔

WELLINGTON'S CORPORATION .

"You two seem cozy." I watched as he pours himself a drink. Painfully slow, wearing my patience thin.

"Isn't that what you wanted? I asked in a clipped tone, my gaze unwavering.

He chuckled. "Give the poor girl a break."

I raised my eyebrows at him."Since when did you liked the Hamptons?"

" Oh, don't get me wrong", He began. "I despise her father, that old hag. I know he agreed to the marriage just to get the finance bank." His face hardened as he continued .

"He has his eyes on it for a while , it's a shame she was fathered by that greedy fool but that girl....", He held my gaze, as if sending a silent warning. ".... She's innocent."

I scoffed. " Innocent, my foot."

He arched a brow, clearly amused by my bitterness.

" Seeing as you are all riled up, I can say your grandfather chose the right woman for you. She's doing a good job keeping you on your toes."

" Who would have thought that little girl would end up as your wife, Life's funny." He said as he settled in the couch beside me, pouring me a drink.

I gritted my teeth as the memories of that little girl with her bouncy pigtails flooded my mind.

"She's not that little girl anymore, she has changed." I scowled.

He tilted his glass to his lips and took a sip, his eyes on me, silently watching me.

"Why did you ask to see me? I asked, shifting uncomfortably under his scrutiny.

"I want you to handle the El Salvatore's project."

"Suddenly, why? I asked, bewildered.

"Taking over the El Salvatore's project is like resurrecting the dead back to life and I am no miracle worker."

" I know." He sighed, setting his glass on the table.

"You need to get the board members on your side and you can do that by reviving the El Salvatore's project."

My nose scrunched up in confusion.

"But they are already on my side."

"For now," he said, turning to face me. "But for how long?"

I narrowed my eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"You haven’t heard the news yet?"

"What news?" I asked, a sudden chill creeping down my spine.

"Gareth... he's back."

The tremor in my hands returned and I hid them under my suit jacket. Gareth is back.

The memories of the past came rushing, knocking me out of breath.

“Get in the closet, Zach. Now.”

The sharp click of the door locking. Darkness.

I blinked. My father's office came back into focus, but sweat trickled down the back of my neck.

"That’s not possible," I whispered. "He’s been gone for—"

"Seven years," he finished for me. " We both know he was sent to take over the US branch, not to pose a threat to you. And yet, here he is. Alive, well, and already making moves."

"What does that have to do with the board? I asked,my jaw tight.

"Gareth is older." He said, slowly."so it's only feel right for him to be heir."

"Bullshit". My fist slammed against the table. "I'm the next in line." I leaned forward, gritting my teeth. "I married her for this."

"Well, technically, Gareth is a Wellington."

My jaw clenched.

"He doesn't deserve a seat at the table," I said finally, my voice low. "And he sure as hell won’t take mine."

My father exhaled slowly. "Then you'd better start acting like the heir. Starting with El Salvatore."

My eyes flicked to him.

"Win that deal," he said. "And you'll win the board. You win everything."

I turned away, running a hand through my hair.

" I know it's too much." He continued. " But that's the only way."

"I'll think about it." I declared standing on my feet.

"Make your decision fast, time is not on our side."

I nodded, turning to leave.

" Zachary." His voice stopped me.

" You can ask Valerie for help."

" I will be damned."

I muttered, walking out.

Once out of his view, I retrieved my phone and dialed a number.

It rang once and he answered on the second ring.

"Miss me that much?

" Shut the fuck up, Ian." I heard his chuckle at the other end but I ignored it. I had more pressing issues.

"Did you find anything from last time? I asked him.

"No, this person is a pro, he deliberately avoided the cameras so I couldn't get anything and it looks like he knows his way around her apartment. Too well."

"We are back to a dead end?

" Not really a dead end." He continued. "Gareth is back."

I tug at my hair, frustrated. " I know that, already. But that's not why I called."

There was a shuffle on the other end of the line. My brows drew together.

" What's going on? I asked.

"I sent you a file," the voice said. "Check it when you have time."

"What file?

"Just an important tool for the future."

There was a pause before his question dropped.

"You didn't tell me your family and the Hamptons were once close."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, agitated.

"We were, a long time again."

"What's the connection between Gareth and Valerie's father?

My heart stopped. My eyes widened in disbelief

" Wait.....what did you just say?

"I did a little bit of digging," he replied . "Apparently, Gareth and Mr. Hampton had some dealings in the past. I was wondering if their families’ so-called ‘closeness’ had anything to do with this arrangement."

My grip on the phone tightened, my knuckles turning white.

Deals? Between Gareth and Hampton.

"You're sure about this? I asked, my voice deadly calm.

"Hmm," he replied. "I was wondering why Hampton was able to keep his tracks clean, it turned out he has Gareth on his side."

He continued. " But he has Gareth as an ally, why would he allow his daughter marry you?

"Because he wanted to secure both ends." I muttered under my breath. "It doesn't matter which Wellington was married to his daughter, he's still going to acquire the finance bank."

I gritted my teeth. That greedy scum.

"But I won't let him." I declared, determined.

"And Valerie..". I started slowly. " Was she involved in this ?

"I can't say," he answered. "But if she's involved..... then we have a bigger problem."

I dragged a hand down my face, my jaw clenched so tight it hurt. I married her for the company. For the inheritance. For control.

But now?

It felt I had just willingly walked into a trap.

"Call me when you find something else."

"Sure, I will."

I ended the call and swore under my breath.

Gareth just returned but he's already wrecking havoc in my world.

Just as I was about to use the elevator, the door opened and Valerie rushed out , running into me.

She mumbled a "sorry" and slowly lifted her gaze.

Her face had gone pale, her lips parted like she couldn’t catch her breath.

I narrowed my eyes.

"Where are you coming from? I asked. She ignored me, brushing past me but I held her wrist before she could move any further.

She winced and her face twisted in pain.

I couldn't have imagined that. She was hurt.

I pulled her sleeve up and I saw the bruise on her wrist. How did she get that bruise?

"What the hell is this?" My voice dropped, low and dangerous.

She yanked her hand away from mine. "Don’t pretend like you care."

"Valerie—" I started but I was cut off.

"I said, don’t" she snapped, stepping back.

"Who hurt you? I asked, quieter now.

She scoffed. " You seem to have forgotten what happened last night." She continued bitterly. " Strip show, does it ring a bell?"

My brows furrowed. Strip show?

Did I hurt her last night?

She didn't wait for my reply and left.

As she walked past me, a wave of a man's cologne hit me. And it wasn't mine.

I gestured to a guard, standing ba few feet away.

"Follow her and find out who she just met." I ordered.