Chapter Fifteen

Chapter fifteen

Mikaela:

“What?” I whispered in shock.

“Yes. That's how your mother died. Your mother's sister, Mirabel managed to escape with major injuries, although she passed away after a few weeks since she wasn't recovering from the injuries and she was more than traumatized.” The old lady said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “That's how we lost both females of the White family. You were the only female left but at that moment, we didn't consider anything else but to put you up for adoption and that was it.”

“Who adopted me?” I raised a brow.

“The Abrams family of course. Don't you remember?”

Kevin chipped in. “She lost her memory actually.”

She nodded. “I see.”

She remained quiet for a moment.

“The white family might be a bit complex, but here is how it works. In the White extended family, we have five nuclear family. One runs a clothing brand business. One is a family of lawyers. One is a family of doctors. One runs a valuable mining company. While your family runs an art supplying company, the biggest of all companies in the family. The most reliable art supplier in the continent.” She began.

“There's an heir to each company. But your family has no heir since your mother died, leaving the CEO seat empty. The company has no CEO or anyone coordinating and running it. It's just running based on the revenue generated the previous years. No one from the other nuclear family is allowed to step in. The rule remains that each family must mind their own business. I step in to overlook the company sometimes but not every time. For twenty eight years, the company has been shredding down piece by piece and by piece, and whether it's what anyone wants or not, I can't keep taking care of the company. I'm now all old and I could die any moment soon, and I have my health to look after.” She added. “So, it's your decision if you want to claim your position and become the heiress of the White Fine Arts or not. Your mother was a great heiress, and I know you would be too since you look exactly like her. Everything about you reminds me of her.”

I tilted my neck to look at Kevin once again.

He gave me the slight nod I was looking for, letting me know it was okay to accept the offer.

“I think it's my time to step in and claim what's mine and what has always been mine.”

Her smile widened. “Great! Now we can prepare an exclusive party to inform important friends and business partners that finally, the heiress has come to claim her seat in the company.”

She turned to one of the men seated. “Jimmy, you're to drive her to her mansion. Make sure bodyguards surround her and the security is tight so it would be impenetrable. We don't know if rivals are on the look out to take down the heiress.”

“Actually,” I cut her off, barely letting her finish. “I feel like I should stick with Kevin. I'm safe with him, don't worry.” I grabbed Kevin's arm.

“But he doesn't offer protection from rivals. You need to be safe. The industry is dangerous.” She insisted.

“No, I insist as well.” I argued.

She let out a sigh. “Stubborn just like her mother. Well, if you insist, you can have it your way. Anything for the heiress.” She turned to Kevin. “Look after her, young man.”

—

“A whole twenty three eight, we've all waited for a heiress, a Queen, a CEO of the White Fine Arts, and today, we found the lost heiress. The last piece to the puzzle. The last female young adult of the White Family. The only one that gives White Fine Arts a glimmer of hope.” I could hear the spokesperson’s voice booming through the silent room.

I stood by the curtains behind the stage, fighting the urge to bite my nails.

“Are you okay?* Kevin asked.

I sighed, humming even though I knew I wasn't.

“Is the dress too tight?” He inquired as if he was going to take it off me.

“Maybe a little bit, but it's fine. It's just for a few minutes anyway.”

He gestured for one of the servants to come, he then grabbed a glass of red wine from the tray she was holding, and handed it to me. “Have a drink. You look very nervous.”

I forced a smile, taking a small sip from the glass.

“You'll be fine. Just be yourself. You don't have to say anything. Remember, smile, and maintain a great posture. That's basically all you need to pull through this.”

I scoffed playfully. “Thank you, coach”

“Come on!”

“Mikaela White!” I heard my name, and the curtains raised, exposing me to the crowd.

Kevin pushed me gently, and I took a few steps forward.

The guests clapped, staring at me in adoration as if there was anything to adore aside the glamorous, dazzling, red dress, and the red bottom heels

“Here's our heiress, all! The one who holds the future of White Fine Arts. We lost a treasure twenty eight years ago, but today, she's here to restore power into the company. She will be in charge to make the company better. All investments, business proposals, bids, and more can now come in.”

The guests grinned.

“Do you have anything to say, miss?” The spokesperson asked.

Honestly, I had nothing to say. This was such a wrong timing.

I forced a smile, parting my lips to speak. “I, Mikaela White, am back!*