Her Schemes

No one’s P.O.V.

All the reporters continued clicking their cameras furiously as soon as a black limited-edition Maybach stopped right in front of the carpet.

The excitement and anxiety had filled the surroundings.

The valet immediately stepped forward and opened the back doors on both sides. A shining black leather shoes came out of the car, followed by a long leg clad in a black pant. The reporters felt another wave of excitement cursing through their veins.

Nathan got off the car, asserting his dominance over the scene and straightened his suit jacket while standing tall. He extended his hand towards the car, and they saw a slender and fair hand covered in a net glove taking his hand.

Nathan helped the lady come out of the car, and reporters got excited when they saw a stunning figure of a women in a royal blue off shoulder gown standing next to Nathan after coming out. The gown had a high slit on her right leg, putting her slender and long leg with high heels on display.

Nathan was known for his indifference towards women. So, they were excited to see a female companion with him.

They were shocked to see Freya Peterson, a famous fashion designer as his female companion. They hurriedly took photos from every angle while both Nathan and Freya walked the carpet, Freya’s hand wrapped around his arm, having a pleasant faint smile dancing on her lips.

“Are you sure that I still have a chance to find a suitable boyfriend after this stunt of yours.” She asked, flashing her charming smile to everyone for the show, seething badly inside.

“You are already 26. You are still thinking about having a boyfriend. Think about getting married now.” Nathan replied indifferently, still having a stoic expression on his face.

Freya scowled internally as she couldn’t show her real emotions on her face. Being a celebrity also has its disadvantages.

“You wanted to have a collaboration with Days & Nights, don’t you?” Nathan asked her while glancing at her coldly.

All the anger that Freya had in her heart vanished immediately and she flashed a foolish grin to him, playing innocent and loyal.

Nathan scoffed internally, but the corner of his mouth cracked in an almost invisible smirk.

“Mr. Dawson will also be here tonight. Contact Chris later, and he will tell you where to meet him.” Nathan instructed her casually.

“Did I ever tell you that I love you so much?” she beamed, showing the full set of her pearly teeth, leaning her body towards him.

He immediately glared at her, and she straightened her body, giving him a puppy look.

He huffed and stopped near the entrance. Chris who was walking behind them now, immediately walked forward and show the invitation card to the person standing there.

The receptionist scanned their card and welcomed them with a professional smile on her lips.

Without even glancing at her, Nathan walked inside the venue with Freya walking confidently behind her.

“Do you have of your interest in tonight’s auction that you want to buy?” Nathan asked her while taking a wine glass from a server who approached them.

Freya also took a glass and nodded in response before taking a sip.

“I have my eyes on an emerald necklace.” She told him casually and sipped the wine while looking around at the crowd.

Although she belonged to Peterson family, one of the top most wealthy family in the country, she had her own company that she built with her own hard work.

Just like others, Freya was also here to build some more contacts professionally.

“Hey, Nathan… what took you two so long?”

Nathan scoffed while glancing at his best friend, Freya’s brother, Theo Peterson with disdain who approached them while having a celebrity clinging on him like a piece of cloth.

“Good evening to you too, brother.” Freya greeted him sarcastically and looked away. She was aware of his brother’s messy personal life. Still, she didn’t like to see him with different women every time.

“Did you arrange the meeting with Mr. Velmont?” Nathan asked him coldly and Theo rolled his eyes.

“Yes, my dear friend, we are meeting with him right after your first meeting.” Theo informed him flatly.

Nathan gave him a curt nod and dragged Freya away from Theo and his female companion who almost eye-raped him.

Freya happily followed Nathan’s lead as she had already anticipated that woman’s goal for tonight.

She knew Theo wasn’t that naïve, but she didn’t like his way of having constant flings and one-night stands.

Both Theo and Nathan were now in their early thirties.

“Nathan, you are here.”

Freya groaned in frustration while looking at Nathan in frustration when a sickening sweet voice assaulted their ears.

“I will wait for you inside.” Freya muttered in frustration and about to take a step forward when Nathan’s sharp threat stopped her.

“Take a step away and forget about your next contract with my company.”

“Everything for my darling.” She muttered sweetly, flashing a fake smile, but the gears in her mind started rolling, trying to find the best way to escape from here before the woman reach them without pissing Nathan off.

Nancy had worn a bodycon in peach colour, hugging all her curves tightly, with a deep cleavage.

“Hey, Freya… long time no see, huh?” she greeted Freya enthusiastically but her eyes were now glued on he place where Freya had wrapped her hand around Nathan’s arm.

Freya felt something churning badly in her stomach because of the sickening sweetness of Nancy’s voice.

"I am fine, Nancy." Freya replied to her flatly, without masking her disdain for Nancy. Nancy's smile faltered, but she didn't let it show on her face.

“I didn’t follow you here, Nathan. I came here with my brother as his female companion,” She said to Nathan as if she were informing about her intention of attending this meeting.

Freya couldn’t stand her a second longer. “Ummm… I saw someone known to me. I need to have a minute with him. I will be back soon.” She informed Nathan before running away, without even glancing at Nancy.

Nancy tightened her grip on her clutch in her hands but didn’t let her anger crossed her face. She never like Freya around Nathan.

She slowly approached Nathan, studying his expressions cautiously. “Why are you pushing me away, Nathan? Can’t you forgive me? It has been six years.” She asked him in a low and aggrieved tone.

Nathan sneered while looking at her coldly. “It’s easy for you to forget, but not for me. Now excuse me, I have a meeting to attend.” He answered coldly and walked away before Nancy could even touch his hand.

Nancy’s hand that she raised to grab his hand hung awkwardly in the mid-air as she watched his back with a cold gaze.

He suddenly stopped and glanced at her over his shoulder. A ray of hope flickered in her eyes immediately.

“It will be better if you stay clear to me, Nancy. I don’t want any new rumour surface in tabloids tomorrow morning,” He warned her in a cold tone before striding away from her.

Nancy’s breath hitched as she registered the threat hidden in the lines. She had followed Nathan for more than ten years and when she thought that she was closed to her goal to be his wife, she lost again.

That day to till now, all her efforts to go close to him are vain. He kept his promise and gave her everything that she desired but not his heart.

Chris was standing a little farther from them, witnessed everything and shook his head in disappointment. In the past two years, he had seen Nancy doing everything to win Nathan over, but she failed miserably every time.

He sighed and followed Nathan as they were going to meet Mr. Silva for the acquisition meeting. He glanced at his phone when he felt the vibration.

“Ms. Williams…. We are already inside the venue. I have book room no 132 for the meeting.” Chris informed the person on the other side of the call.

“Okay, Mr. Bishop. We will be there in five minutes.” She informed him in a professional tone and both hung up.

“They are already here, and are going straight to the room, Mr. Lombart.” Chris immediately approached Nathan and informed him.

“Let’s go then.” He instructed and they both walked towards the staircase to go to the first floor.

“I have made some changes according to what information we got on Mr. Lucas Lombart’s proposal, Mr. Lombart, but I don’t think that it will have any significant effect on the original proposal. I guess he didn’t get any whiff on our key preposition.” Chris informed him in a low tone while ascending the stairs with him.

“Still we can’t take a risk, Chris.” Nathan replied to him seriously, but he was still calm. He knew Lucas very well, and also at what extent he could to sabotage Nathan’s plan.

“Mr. Lombart.” Suddenly Chris exclaimed in shock while looking at the photo that he just received. “What?” Nathan asked while raising his brows questioningly.

Chris didn’t utter a word in reply but passed the tablet to Nathan. Nathan took the tablet with a confused expression on his face.

His breath hitched as soon as he saw the photo on the screen. “Wh… where was this taken?” he asked Chris in a shaky voice while moving his finger on that familiar and beautiful face, who was now looking straight into his eyes.

“An hour ago… here…. She is here in this party.” Chris answered him, his voice also shaking due to anxiety. He showed the timestamp on the photo.

They reached the floor, and at the same time, the door of the elevator at the floor opened.

Nathan didn’t know how he reached the floor. His emotions were in disarray. “Find her.” He instructed Chris in a cracked voice, his eyes glued on an older version of the woman who had become his lifeline.

“Mr. Bishop.” Suddenly a firm, professional voice called Chris from behind, but Nathan's heart stopped beating as soon as the voice hit his eardrums.