Chapter Seven- A Dangerous Proposal

Liora’s POV

They’ve been gone for almost a week now. But I didn’t care, as I reveled in silence and peace: peace away from them and the chaos they brought.

They would enjoy their Cannes and I would enjoy my peace.

During their departure, I spent time going through the documents and files relating to my father’s company. The workers were amicable, except for the assistant they took me for.

I could see the pity in their eyes. But I didn’t want their pity; I was simply playing along.

Understanding what the depths of the company held, and the intricacies was complex for me. At those moments of racking my brain over certain meanings of figures and data, I knew that if I wanted my company back, ignorance would be my greatest enemy.

I will have to learn from the very man who stole it from me.

Somehow I would have to ask Sebastian to teach me the things I didn’t know, but I didn’t know how to ask him. And what if I asked, but he refused?

After the fifth day of their departure, they were back. I was in the living room reading a novel when Vivienne came in first, bursting with laughter and holding lots of shopping bags.

‘I truly enjoyed myself,’ her loud voice echoed all around the house.

Sebastian followed closely behind, a smile on his face. He hadn’t shaved and his beard had grown, giving him a rugged look- like all those male movie stars after surviving a week camping.

Vivienne completely ignored me and went upstairs, her heels clicking against the marble floor. I glanced back and saw Sebastian standing still, observing me closely.

‘You’ve been busy,’ he ambled towards me. I noticed his eyes sweeping the entire room, glancing a bit at the papers and files stacked on the table, before settling on me.

‘Someone has to be,’ I swallowed. I couldn’t look at him, my eyes kept darting away, and my skin prickled under his gaze.

He was making me feel uncomfortable and I hated it.

‘You’re wasting your time,’ his voice was gruff.

‘That depends on what you think my time is worth,’ I replied, rubbing my eyes to clear my vision.

‘Oh Liora,’ he chuckled with a hint of mockery. ‘You want the illusion of power. But the world doesn’t reward effort. It rewards dominance.’

This was the cue I was waiting for.

‘Then teach me,’ I was calm in my response.

He arched a brow, studying me. His composure switched back to nonchalant in seconds, and he remained silent for a long time, so I was sure he wouldn’t answer.

‘If I teach you it won’t be because you deserve it,’ he spoke at last, ambling closer with each word. ‘You’ll do things my way. You’ll sit where I tell you, speak when I allow it, and learn how this world actually works. And if you fail, I won’t help you.’

My mind revolved around the past events- my father sitting still in his wheelchair, how Sebastian tricked me into taking over the company, the whispers and humiliation…

What was one more period of torture?

‘Fine,’ I forced a smile. I would endure anything to get my father’s company back.

‘Babe!’ Vivienne’s soprano voice rang out from the top of the stairs.

In seconds, she was in the living room. She had a bathrobe on, showing off her slim long legs.

‘I was waiting in the shower for you,’ she looped her hands around his before planting a deep kiss on his cheek.

I looked away, and that somehow caught her attention.

‘Oh! I almost forgot you were still here, wife,’ she sneered. ‘Don’t worry, Sebastian kept me very entertained.’

‘Welcome back,’ was all I could say.

There was no need to respond further. I watched in silence as they walked away, light chatters flowing between them.

Sometimes I wondered what it would be like, to have someone care about me as I mattered. The only person who ever did that was my father, but even he was physically incapable of loving me that way anymore.

Oh well.

The next day at the office, Sebastian laid down the rules for me. We both attended meetings together, and I watched and observed how he handled everything, his cool charisma playing out.

Unfortunately, I began to notice other things too: like how his well-chiseled jawbones made his face stand out, and the way his hands moved when he elaborated on something; how his voice rumbled with authority during these meetings, and the wicked glint in his eye when he finally had his way with convincing investors.

I was noticing everything about him.

During one of the meetings, a board member brought up the topic of a dinner that was scheduled for that night.

‘All the companies that matter in the state will be well represented,’ the board member continued. ‘And our company has been invited as well, with Mr and Mrs Carvers to represent the company.’

Sebastian agreed without hesitation, while I sat still, not saying a word. If Sebastian agreed, I had no choice but to follow.

Once we got home, I went to my room to start getting ready for dinner. Going through my wardrobe, I couldn’t find anything I’d deem fitting to wear to the event.

A knock came on my door at that minute, and as I opened it, it was a maid. She was holding a new dress which still had the label on it.

‘Mr Carvers said you should wear something befitting of his status,’ she smiled at me before placing the dress neatly on the bed.

It was a black silk dress, which looked comfortable but tight enough to show my curves. I wasn’t sure I’d be comfortable in it, but I wore it anyway.

Once I was through, I went downstairs. Sebastian was already waiting in the car, and we didn’t say much at the beginning of the ride.

‘It’s going to be a short dinner of about ten executives,’ Sebastian glanced at me for the umpteenth time that evening. ‘Observe. Don’t speak unless spoken to.’

What was I even going to say anyway?

The event was chaotic but in an orderly fashion when we arrived. The table was well decorated with several courses of meals, and the men spoke freely and confidently.

Sebastian had his hands around my waist the entire time we exchanged greetings, and sat beside me during meal time.

‘Bennett Holdings has a strong manufacturing infrastructure,’ one of the senior executives steered another line of conversation, ‘but liquidity is a nightmare. Frankly, it’s bleeding.’

Why was my father’s company the subject of discourse tonight?

‘Which is why restructuring is already underway,’ Sebastian responded smoothly.

The conversation then moved towards asset liquidation, and I knew it wouldn’t be funny.

‘Still, sentiment aside,’ another executive chimed in, ‘do you really believe the Bennett brand can survive without being absorbed completely?’

There was a pause, before Sebastian replied.

‘Survival isn’t about legacy. It’s about efficiency,’ he said to the man.

My fingers tightened around my wine glass. This was my father’s life's work. I needed to say something.

I put down the glass gently and cleared my throat.

‘Absorption would be a mistake,’ I spoke clearly.

All heads turned to look at me, and I felt Sebastian stiffen beside me. But I didn’t care; I had to do what was needed.

‘Oh?’ The executive who had asked the question arched a brow.

I met his gaze. ‘Bennett Holdings isn’t failing because of inefficiency. It’s failing because its capital is misallocated.’

There were murmurs but I ignored them.

‘Liquidating assets would offer short-term relief, but it would destroy the company’s strongest advantage,’ I took a sip of my wine before continuing. ‘Those contracts are the only reason larger firms haven't crushed it already.’

The table was now quiet.

Another executive spoke up. ‘And what would you suggest?’

Sebastian turned to me, his eyes watching as if asking: how are you going to answer that?

I smiled. ‘Debt restructuring paired with controlled expansion. Not contraction. Cutting costs would shrink the company into irrelevance, and strategic leverage would destroy confidence.’

Silence hung over the table for a long time, before the senior executive broke it.

‘She’s…not wrong,’ he nodded. ‘Such an interesting perspective. Sebastian, you didn’t mention your wife had such insight.’

‘She’s learning,’ Sebastian forced a thin smile.

The conversation finally drifted off to more trivial topics. Soon, dessert was served and everyone chattered away amongst themselves.

Sebastian leaned towards me.

‘You disobeyed me,’ his voice was low as he spoke.

‘You told me to learn,’ I replied in the same low tone. ‘And I did.’

‘Careful,’ he murmured. ‘Men like me don’t forgive surprises. Especially when they come from women like you.’

I remained frozen, my heart picking up a pace.

Because for the first time since marrying Sebastian Carvers, I wasn’t going to remain invisible anymore.