Chapter 8: Announcement

Andrew was seated in his office chair, quickly going through the documents Norah had left on his desk earlier. He was absorbed in the papers when the sudden ring of the office phone broke his concentration. He picked up the receiver without any hesitation. 

"Mr. Blackwood, a lady named Cecilia says she wants to see you," the receptionist informed him.

"Let her in," Andrew replied curtly.

The new receptionist, hired just three days ago, was unaware of who Cecilia was to Andrew Blackwood. Andrew’s lover, Vivian, insisted on firing his previous receptionist, who had been highly recommended by Cecilia, Andrew’s ex-wife. 

Shortly after, the sound of clicking heels reverberated through the office as Cecilia walked in, each step purposeful on the marble floor. 

"Have a seat," Andrew remarked, pointing to the chair across from him. 

Cecilia didn’t bother sitting. Instead, she crossed her arms, her tone cold and direct. "Let’s skip the unnecessary pleasantries, Andrew. Just get to the point and tell me why you called me here."

Andrew raised an eyebrow, but before he could speak, Cecilia cut him off again.

"We’re divorced, Andrew. You and I are history. My advice? Focus on your woman, Vivian, and the baby you’re expecting together. Stay out of my life," she added, her voice laced with disdain.

Andrew smiled—a cold, sheepish expression that didn’t reach his eyes. He leaned back in his chair, fixing Cecilia with a piercing gaze.

"The reason I called you here," he began, his tone icy, "is to tell you to step forward and clear the air with the press. Stop spreading this nonsense about our divorce being ‘mutual.’ You need to own up and put an end to it."

Cecilia’s eyes narrowed as anger flared in her voice. "Wow, Andrew. Is that how little you think of me?Allow me to clarify—I’m completely in the dark about how our divorce made it to the media, but please exclude me from your conspiracy theories. 

Before she had the chance to organize her thoughts and speak further, a loud knock reverberated off the door. Cecilia and Andrew both halted, their gazes locking in a tense, wordless confrontation. Who might that be? The knock sounded once more, this time more forcefully. Then, the door creaked open—just wide enough for a shadowy shape to pass inside, their features concealed by the faint illumination in the corridor. 

All Andrew could manage was to gaze in astonishment. 

Andrew's heart raced within his chest, his muscles tightening with the expectation of what was to follow. The shape in the entrance stayed cloaked in shadow, a outline that appeared to carry the burden of an undisclosed outcome. Cecilia's breath was trapped in her throat while her eyes anxiously darted between Andrew and the figure. 

The quiet was overwhelming, heavy with unease and unspoken inquiries. Neither of them shifted, both pondering what—who—had just appeared. 

And then, the person stepped forward.

It was a man.He was long-limbed and solidly built, his shoulders broad and strong, His steps were light yet filled with intent,Each movement seemed intentional, revealing his acute sense of confidence and control.Andrew’s expression stiffened, his jaw locking as he glared at the man, His gaze sharpened, eyes narrowing in a show of doubt.

Cecilia felt her pulse race. A sudden feeling of fear washed over her, even though she had no clue who this stranger was or what his intentions were. Yet, the manner in which Andrew adjusted his posture revealed to her all she required to understand. 

The stranger didn’t speak at first. He merely observed them, his gaze moving slowly from Cecilia to Andrew.It felt like he was anticipating the perfect time to speak. 

Andrew's patience broke. He emitted a low growl from his throat, his tone deep and threatening. "I got your message yesterday from my P.A. What on earth do you still want from me? Haven’t you done enough?" 

The man’s mouth lifted in a barely noticeable smile, As though he had expected the question. He took a step closer,The light from the passageway fell upon his face.

 Cecilia’s heart sank when she saw him more clearly.

“Let me formally introduce myself again, since we have a third party that doesn’t know me in person. My name is Victor Harris,” Victor stated .

Victor’s eyes glinted with amusement as he finally spoke. “Did I interrupt something?”His tone was playful, nearly derisive, yet there was an unmistakable hint of malice in his voice. 

Andrew’s eyes narrowed. Of course. He should have known that Victor wouldn’t miss an opportunity like this.

“Why are you here, Harris?” Andrew’s voice was low, filled with barely contained rage.

Victor shrugged nonchalantly, his hands slipping into the pockets of his sleek suit. “I could ask you the same thing. But I think I already know.” He glanced at Cecilia, a smirk playing on his lips."It appears I've gotten here right on schedule to observe a rather… intense showdown." 

Cecilia's belly twisted. She wished to speak up, to justify herself, but her words were trapped in her throat. She was unaware of why Victor had come, or what his presence signified for her. 

Victor looked back at Andrew. "I assumed you’d be interested in something," he stated, his tone unexpectedly more grave. "You've been quite noisy, Andrew." And not the positive type. News spreads quickly in this world, particularly when it concerns a man who has lost everything: his business, his marriage, his good name. 

Andrew’s jaw tightened. "What on earth are you saying?" 

Victor laughed quietly, a familiar sparkle in his gaze. "Everyone is aware of your divorce, Andrew." However, what they are unaware of is the extent to which you’ve suffered. That small agreement you misplaced? That was merely the start. Your competitors are surrounding you, and I’m here to inform you that I possess the insider information. "Your reputation is in ruins, my friend." 

Andrew’s hands balled into fists by his sides, the impact of Victor’s words striking deeper than he was willing to acknowledge. It was indeed accurate—his competitors were approaching, and this was merely the beginning of the issue. He sensed the earth below him moving, his empire gradually falling apart. 

Victor advanced another step, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "However, perhaps you can retrieve something valuable from this chaos." I’m certain your former wife has some hidden secrets she hasn’t revealed yet. Ultimately, it’s not an everyday occurrence for someone like Cecilia to become pregnant by someone like you.”

Cecilia's breath caught at the reference to her pregnancy. She hadn’t told anyone. Andrew didn’t even know yet. She had wished to maintain it as a secret a bit longer, but now, with Victor’s words lingering around, it felt as though the world was suffocating her. 

Victor faced her with a sneering grin. "Is that not true, Cecilia?"You’re expecting a child, aren’t you? A little gift from Andrew, I assume. Or is it something else?”

Color fled from her face as she gazed at him in disbelief. How was he aware? 

Andrew's eyes lit up with a combination of rage and astonishment. "What on earth are you saying?" His tone was unsettlingly serene, the tension in the atmosphere evident. 

Victor lifted an eyebrow, his look nearly compassionate. "Let's go, Andrew." Don’t say you were not aware of this. I understand that you are astonished at how I learned this. You’re certainly not the most popular guy in the neighborhood, and your former wife has a talent for drawing attention. It won’t be long until the entire world will know about this." 

Cecilia’s heart raced as her entire world appeared to change beneath her. This was not what she anticipated. Didn’t foresee Victor wielding such influence over her life and her secrets. However, with her pregnancy at stake, she found herself ensnared in a game she hadn’t realized she was part of. 

Andrew confronted Victor, his fists tightly clenched, his eyes filled with rage. 

 “If you’ve been spreading rumors about my family, you better stop this now.”

Victor raised a hand, cutting him off. “Relax, Andrew. I haven’t been the one spreading the news. But I do have an offer for you.” He looked back at Cecilia, his gaze cold and calculating. “I can help you clean up this mess. But in exchange, I want something.”

Cecilia swallowed hard, her mind racing. What did Victor want? What could he possibly be offering, and at what cost?

Andrew looked at Victor, his anger simmering beneath the surface. “And why would I trust you?”

Victor grinned, his smile sharp and knowing. “Because, Andrew, right now, you don’t have a choice. And if you don’t play along… well, let’s just say things might get even worse for you and your entire pack.”

Cecilia felt dizzy as she absorbed Victor’s words. The walls seemed to be encroaching upon her, every fresh discovery constricting its hold around her. She was clueless about Victor's intentions or the lengths he might reach.

While alternating her look from Victor to Andrew, she couldn't dismiss the curiosity about what these two were doing. Her thoughts continually returned to Victor Harris's announcement regarding her pregnancy. The actual question was, how did he discover the secret she had been tirelessly concealing from everyone?