Chapter 4

As Nelson watched Rosie savor each bite, his hunger seemed to fade away, replaced by a sense of satisfaction. He had always dreamed of treating Hazel to a meal, and though she wasn't here, he felt a sense of fulfillment in doing it for her daughter. 

Rosie, meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying herself; polishing off a third plate of rice before reaching for a glass of water, which she drained in one swift motion. 

"Are you okay? Should I get them to bring more?" Nelson asked, his concern genuine. Without waiting for an answer, he signaled the attendant. "One more plate, please." 

Rosie quickly intervened, "no, I'm fine." She said, her cheeks slightly flushed from eating.

"Are you sure?" Nelson asked, and Rosie nodded enthusiastically, a bright smile spreading across her face.  

"Yes, thank you, sir."

Nelson's expression turned thoughtful as he leaned forward. "If you need anything else, don't hesitate to order it. And if it's not available here, we can go somewhere else to get it." He offered, his concern for her well-being evident. 

Rosie's smile widened slightly. "I'm okay, sir. I'm not much of a foodie. I think I ate this much because of everything that's happened." She said, her voice trailing off slightly. 

Nelson fixed his gaze on her, his gaze filled with genuine interest. "Rosie…" he called softly, pausing for her response.  

She looked up, meeting his gaze. "Sir." She replied, her voice barely above a whisper. 

"What happened? Why are you like this? What's going on with you right now?" He asked, his voice laced with concern. "Where are you coming from, and where are you headed?"

Rosie took a deep breath, her eyes dropping to the floor as she clasped her hands tightly on her thighs. "I caught my husband cheating on me with my best friend," she revealed, her voice barely above a whisper. 

He divorced me. He said he doesn't want me anymore. He trusts my best friend and wants to be with her now." Her voice cracked as she struggled to hold back tears.

He let out a sympathetic sigh. "What do you plan to do now?"

Rosie's eyes dropped, and she shrugged helplessly. "I don't know. I don't have anywhere to stay or anyone to turn to. I have no plans," she admitted, her hand instinctively going to her belly. "Right now, I just want to live for the sake of the baby in me."

Nelson rose from his seat and walked around to sit beside Rosie, his movements gentle. He took her small hands in his left hand, offering warmth and comfort. With his right hand, he tenderly wiped away the tears streaming down her face. "Stop crying. Everything will be fine," he whispered.

"When? Today should have been my happiest day, but my life is crumbling before me," she lamented, her voice cracking. The tears she'd tried to hold back came flooding out, streaming down her face as memories overwhelmed her. 

"The one thing I was fighting to protect is gone, destroyed in the blink of an eye…" she whispered, her words punctuated by sobs. She weakly pounded her chest as if the physical gesture could ease the emotional pain. Tears continued to flow, and she couldn't stop them; each memory sparking a fresh wave of grief.

"In a single day, I was betrayed, heartbroken, and rejected. How am I supposed to live?"

Nelson gently drew her head closer, resting it on his shoulder, and patted her back in a soothing motion. "And what if, on this same day, you climb to the top of the ladder of success?" He asked, his voice filled with an air of possibility. 

His question caught her off guard, and she lifted her head from his shoulder, locking eyes with him. "What do you mean, sir?" She asked, her curiosity piqued. 

A hint of a smile played on his lips as he replied, "I will repay your mother's favor through you."

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "My mother's favor?" 

Nelson's expression turned solemn as he revealed, "Rosie, right in front of you now is Nelson Wright, the CEO of Azel Global Organization," he paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "And I am also your mother's old friend, who owes her everything; my wealth, my success. She is the one behind the Azel Organization's triumph." 

Rosie's eyes widened in utter shock, her mind reeling as she processed the revelation. She couldn't believe she had been conversing with the most influential and wealthiest man in the city, Wright Nelson, without a clue. The realization left her speechless, her eyes fixed on him in a mix of astonishment and wonder.

"I've been living my life in the shadows because I feel I don't deserve to take credit for being the president," he shared, his voice laced with humility. "Your mother is the true deserving one. She's the founder of the organization, and its name is derived from hers," 

"She entrusted me with the company when it was still in its infancy, and she begged me to keep it a secret from her husband and never seek her out unless she reached out to me." He explained, his eyes clouding. "I've been searching for her all these years, and it's heartbreaking to learn that she's gone."

"She told you to take the secret to your grave. Why are you telling me now? Isn't that another form of betrayal?" Rosie questioned.

Nelson's expression turned thoughtful. "It's not betrayal. And I think I finally understand why Hazel made that decision. She did it for the future; for you," he said. "She wasn't thinking about herself coming back to me; she was thinking about you having a chance." 

Rosie was taken aback, impressed by the depth of her mother's foresight. She nodded slowly, processing the revelation. "So, what do you want to do now?"

"I'll transfer all the companies and properties to you. It's all yours." He declared. 

Rosie shook her head firmly. "No, you can't do that," she declined. "You're a great man for telling me about this, but keep the companies and properties. You 'deserve it. If you hadn't taken care of it, Azel wouldn't be the global organization it is today."

Nelson's expression turned persuasive. "Rosie, please accept this from me. I'm giving you the company, but there are other properties to live off," he implored. 

Rosie remained firm. "But, sir, I don't need it."

Nelson's eyes locked onto hers, his voice taking on a thoughtful tone. "Rosie, I won't encourage you to take revenge on those who hurt you, but what will you do if there's a chance in the future?" He asked, his words probing. 

"When the time comes and you cross paths with them again, do you still want to be someone they can step on however they like?" His question hung in the air, making Rosie ponder her future and her strength.

"You can't be a nobody; you have to be somebody; so you won't rank lower than them," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "Once you become the Azel president, even the Moore family will be under your feet. You'll have a say then." 

Rosie's mind was racing as she weighed his words, but she remained silent, simply nodding. Nelson's eyes searched hers, his tone persuasive. "Or Rosie, don't tell me you don't want that. Do you want those who hurt you to have the chance to do it again in the future?" 

His question struck a chord, making her consider the power and protection that came with being at the helm of Azel.

"No, I don't want that. I want power, so I can fight back," she voiced out, her tone firm and resolute. Her words were a raw declaration, born from the depths of her hurt and anger. "I want to be strong enough to stand up for myself, to make sure they can't hurt me again."

"To give you that power, I'll legally sign your name into the Wright family register," he declared, offering, "I'll make you the president of the Azel Organization, and give you a man to stand by your side and protect you."

"A man to stand by my side?" She repeated, her tone questioning. "Yes, he'll help you with everything he can." Nelson assured her. 

"Who is the man?" She asked, her curiosity piqued. 

"My grandson, Dominic." He replied, and a deep, velvety voice interrupted their conversation. 

"Good day, old man." The voice said. 

Rosie's gaze lifted, and she saw a tall, handsome man walking towards them, a captivating smile spreading across his face. His hands were casually tucked into his pockets, and his very presence seemed to command attention, exuding an aura of confidence and charm.

As he arrived in front of their table, he bowed slightly, his smile still radiating warmth and charm. "I am Dominic; -Wright Dominic," he introduced himself, his voice smooth and confident. "A man who's ready and willing to stand by you and support whatever your decision is." 

His eyes locked onto Rosie's with a hint of intrigue and genuine interest. His words were a promise of loyalty and support, and his presence seemed to fill the space with an undeniable sense of charisma.