Chapter Eight

THE NEXT DAY *AT J HOLDINGS*

 

The air was tense in the building as three elegantly dressed individuals stood outside the doors - their behavior and mannerisms a stark contrast from their outward appearance.

 

“Do you not know who we are? Get out of our way!” Jane yelled, trying to get past the security officers whose hands were wide open, stopping them from going into the building.

 

Jane scoffed in disbelief, clutching her designer bag and flipping her hair dramatically. “You all must have a dead wish.”

 

“We are here to see our daughter. Step aside!” Charles stepped in, puffing his chest as a way of intimidating the security officers but, he was no match for the hefty-looking men.

 

“My apologies, Mr and Mrs O’Neil but, we have received clear orders from Miss Renee not to let any family member into the building.” The head guard said politely and their eyes flew open.

 

“What?” Charles cocked his head to the side and raised his brows in disbelief.

 

“That’s impossible! Renee would never do that to us! Not after everything we have done for her.” Jane laughed.

 

They were all still oblivious to the fact that Renee had overheard their conversation about taking over her parent's company and kicking her out so, they thought she was still as naive as before and was only acting out because of her husband’s infidelity and her sister’s betrayal.

 

“Call her out right now! We’ll speak to her ourselves.” Charles demanded.

 

Chloe stood in a corner, covering her face in embarrassment as eyes watched them from all angles, some already pulling out their phones to record.

“Isn't that Miss O’Neil’s family?”

“Did she throw them out?” Some whispered, laughing.

 

The guards looked amongst themselves in frustration. They wouldn’t be able to call their boss because she wasn’t in but, they couldn’t let the angry bunch into the building after the stern warning from Renee a day ago.

 

It was truly a frustrating event for them.

 

Arriving on time to salvage the situation, Priya walked out of the building, dressed in a white suit and her hair packed in a sleek bun.

 

She had heard the commotion on her way to the storage room and after asking one of the workers about the situation, she found out that the O’Neils were causing a scene outside the building.

 

“What is going on here?” She asked with a frown.

 

“Good, Priya’s here.” Jane breathed out in relief and stepped back, waving her hands to Priya in a condescending manner. “Come! Tell them who we are and take me to my daughter immediately!”

 

The guards turned to Priya with a look of frustration. “We’ve been trying our best, Ma’am. They just won't leave.”

 

“I’ll take it from here.” She said and stood before the O’Neils.

 

“Good day, Mr and Mrs O’Neil.” She smiled professionally. “As much as I want to help, we do have strict orders from our boss so, we cannot let you in. I can help you pass a message to Miss Jackson if you have any.” She finished.

 

“Have you gone mad?” Jane fired immediately, her face twisting in disgust.

 

“How dare a mere assistant tell us not to go into our building?!” She scoffed, eyeing Priya.

 

“I think you're mistaken, Ma’am. This company belongs to Renee, not the O’Neils.” She corrected with a smile.

 

Jane’s face twisted with rage and her eyes flared. “I see you now think you're something just because you work closely with Renee but, I promise you, you are messing with the wrong people,” Jane said through gritted teeth.

 

“Enough of all this! Let's go in and speak to Renee first. Then, we’ll handle this lowlife.” Charles said and grabbed Chloe’s hand.

 

“You won’t find her in,” Priya said just as they neared the door, causing them to stop abruptly.

 

“Well, what hotel is she staying at?” Jane asked impatiently.

 

“I don’t think you understand, Mrs O’Neil,” Priya said and turned to them.

 

“Renee is gone. She is no longer in the country and she won’t be for a very long time.” She announced.

 

The shock on their faces was priceless and fulfilling.

 

“W-what are you on about?” Chloe finally spoke, her heart racing with fear. She knew that her life would be ruined without Renee around to help cover up her messes.

 

“Renee would never leave J holdings. She loves it too much. This bitch is just bluffing. We should go in and speak to her already.” Jane said, rolling her eyes.

 

“Believe it or not, that won't change the truth. You could search the entire country but you still won’t be able to find her.” She smirked and folded her arms.

 

“Oh and, you should watch the way you talk to me from now on.” She raised her chin and straightened her back.

 

“I am acting CEO now.” The O’Neils staggered back. Their faces filled with horror.

 

“Liar!” Charles spoke, shaking with anger. “How dare you make such claims?” He growled.

 

He had always considered J Holdings as his and hoped to take over one day, leaving his measly role as a director of one of the companies under J Holdings. He had a plan that was going smoothly until Daniel and Chloe ruined things.

 

Hearing that Priya who was only a secretary got to be CEO and not him made his blood boil.

 

If Renee was going to be absent, he believed that it was only right that he should be the acting CEO.

 

“I don't believe you! I'd rather hear it from Renee myself!”

 

“Dad!” Chloe called out, her eyes wide open with disbelief as she stared at her phone.

 

“S-she isn't lying.” She said and showed him the breaking news.

 

‘Priyanka Pratel appointed as acting CEO of JHoldings as Renee Jackson vanishes.’

 

“Took them long enough…” Priya sighed, flipping her hair dramatically.

 

The O’Neils stared at themselves, shocked by the news.

 

“That ungrateful bitch!” Jane hissed, her eyes watering.

 

Priya decided that they had caused enough trouble and decided to call it a day.

 

“Well, I guess your doubts have been cleared. Please, leave the premises immediately.” She said and turned to leave when she remembered vital information.

 

“Oh and…” She said, reaching into her pocket.

 

“Renee asked me to give you this.” She said and threw a check for fifteen million dollars to them.

 

“That is way more than what you spent on her since taking her in. She's also going to be kind enough to let you, Mr O’Neil keep your job as a director. Renee wishes you all well.” Priya smiled.

 

“Oh and…she is no longer Renee O’Neil but, Renee Jackson.”