35

Sarah looked like a stray cat who just got starved for days, she walked out of the detention area, heading into the car.

“Where’s father?” She asked the driver.

“He’s waiting at home,” The driver answered and began driving.

Thanks to her father’s influence, she would have spent the next few months in jail for defamation and trespassing.

The car stopped at their house.

She opened the door to her father‘s house, she missed home. Her father was already waiting the living room.

“Dad,” she said, her voice small. “I‘m home. The lawyer said —”

Slowly, her father sprang up on his feet and landed a slap on her.

A very hard slap across her cheek, The sound echoed in the hallway.

Sarah stumbled back, hand to her face, tears springing up instantly.

“Dad — what —”

With so much disgust in Mr Velt face, “Don‘t call me Dad,” he said, his voice cold, shaking with disgust. “You‘re not my daughter anymore. I disown you.”

Sarah stared at him, her cheek burning. “Dad, please, I was trying to protect —”

“Protect?” he shouted. “You ruined us with your malicious acts! You’re sick Sarah…maybe I should have sent you to the rehab center instead! Do you know what you‘ve done to this family‘s name? To Velt Capital?”

He pointed at the door. “Get out. Pack your bags. Your cards are cut. Your trust is frozen. I raised someone who I’d be proud of, not a criminal. You‘re not a Velt anymore.”

Sarah stood there, shaking, her face stinging, “So, you’d choose your daughter over Imani? I’m your daughter!” She screamed.

Hee father didn’t even say a word anymore, he closed the door in her face.

For the first time, Sarah Velt felt pains in her chest. Her lips tasted biter and all in her heart was how to get rid of Imani. Her fist folded, “Imani, trust me. You won’t survive what’s coming next,”

——

Back at Imani‘s office, everything has returned back to normal.

Almost.

Hudson Yards, 9:00 AM. The lobby smelled like coffee again. Emily was back at her desk, smiling. The front of Imani tech wasn‘t blowing up with hater and reporters anymore.

Imani walked in a white blazer, hair done, She looked like a CEO again.

She entered the boardroom went on the podium with Emily behind, “I’m sorry for all that have been happening. As you may know, Luke acted on his own and I know nothing about what he did,” She said.

All of her shareholders nodded, “Following the recent rise in stock, we’d like to introduce an anonymous shareholder…who bought not 8% but 13% of the company,” Imani announced and looked around.

The anonymous person was supposed to show today. What’s wrong?

Some murmur between themselves, “Who’s he?”

“What’s his name?”

“Who would have thought of buying a company at that high percentage?”

Everyone has an opinion while Imani kept glancing over at her wristwatch, looking at the boardroom entrance, until Emily came closer to her and whispered something into her ear.

She faced the boardroom again, “For some reason, our shareholder won’t be showing up today,” she said and the board members exchanged looks.

Everyone wondering why the anonymous shareholder didn’t show up.

Few minutes later, the meeting ended and Imani was just about walking out when one of the board member came forward, “I’m glad you got out of the situation, I’ve always believed in you, Ms Imani,” The man said and Imani gave him a warm smile.

“Thank you Mr Pastel,” She replied and left the boardroom, Emily trailed off behind her.

“It’s so wonderful seeing people rooting for you once again. You won’t believe what people are saying about you on the internet now? They are praising you!” Emily said and Imani raised an eyebrow.

“People can be a snitch sometimes…hmm, what’s my next schedule?” She asked and Emily scrolled through the iPad with her, checking Imani schedule.

“You have a meeting with Killan…you’re discussing about the new technology that just came in recently,” Emily said to her and Imani could be see smiling.

“I checked him in his office earlier, he’s not in the office, I didn’t think he came today,” Emily informed her and the smile on Imani’s face dropped.

“Did he give a call?” She asked but Emily shook her head.

“No. Should I call—”

“Imani?” Someone called interrupting Emily. They both looked, saw a middle aged woman, a woman Imani was familiar with. Luke’s mother.

“Imani…please we need to speak,” Mrs. Anderson said, her lips trembling.

Imani felt a dagger stabbed into her chest seeing her again. She turned to Emily, “Emily please excuse us, I will call you later,” she told her.

Emily understood, “Yes ma’am,” she left afterwards.

Imani walked into the office and Mrs Anderson followed.

“What do you want?” Imani asked almost immediately they walked in.

Before Imani could even say another word, Mrs Anderson fell on her knees. Her eyes pouring out tears non-stop.

Imani was stunned.

—-

Emily was heading back to the break-room, she wasn’t looking up when she bumped into someone again. She lifted her head and saw Roi standing. His glare almost piercing into Emily’s skin.

“I’m sorry! I wasn’t looking!” She apologized but Roi hissed.

He was on a call, “Ok Father, let me call you back,” He dropped the call and took a step closer to Emily.

“I’m beginning to think you’re blind? Why do you keep bumping into me, huh?” Roi questioned her, his tone lacing with disrespect.

“That’s rude, Mr Roi. You know that was a mistake,” Emily said and Roi scoffed.

He rolled his eyes, “Whatever…just watch where you’re going next time,” He said and was about leaving when Emily said something that made him stop.

“Now I see why Killian was better. You’re so self-centered,”

Roi turned, “What did you just say?”

“I said what I said. I think you should start learning from Killan, he’s got manners than you,” Emily said.

Roi gritted his teeth, “You know nothing about me. You don’t get to speak about me like that,” He growled almost tearing Emily apart.

“I—” What she was saying was got cut off with a ring on her phone, she pulled it out and waved it at Roi, “Opps! My Boss is calling, I’ve got to work…” With that Emily rushed off.

Roi stood in the room, his fist folding and almost turning into white,

“Emily or whatever they call you….count yourself unlucky”

——

“Please, Imani, please save our house!” Mrs Anderson sobbed, grabbing Imani‘s hands. “Luke is in jail, he can‘t make bail, the bank is foreclosing on our house. This will come to an end if you drop all charges!”

Imani stared at her, stunned but suddenly scoffed, “Help you? Why should I? Am I some sort of heroine?” She said.

“…Have you forgotten? You never liked me for your son. You tormented me with all sorts of words,”

“I’m sorry Imani. Please, Imani, you‘re the only one who can save us. You were once a mother…., you understand! If we lose the house, we have nowhere to go! Please, drop the complaint!…”

Mrs. Anderson‘s hands were shaking, cold.

Imani eyes changed at the mention of ‘Mother’ “Once a mother? How dare you! You made me lose my little ones because of your evil acts! You want me to understand?”

Mrs Anderson kept crying, “I’m sorry…I have known my mistake.”

Imani scoffed, “You want help?”

Mrs Anderson nodded, “Yes,”

Then Emily knocked, “Come in,” Imani said and Emily walked in.

“Emily? Didn’t your grandmother needed a caregiver?” Imani asked.

“Yes.” Emily nodded.

Imani smirked, “I think I have found you one,” Her gaze went back to Mrs Anderson who is still on her knees.