Chapter 3

MIRANDA

Three years later…

“Ms. Wright, do you have any business tips for people who’d like to learn from you?”

The paparazzi asked from different corners, flashing cameras as I stood on the stage, holding my three new awards.

Best entrepreneur of the year.

Youngest and most successful business woman of the year.

Number one most influential woman of the year.

I won it all. And it was always the same awards for the third year in a row. And several other business people wanted to know what I did and how I did it.

“I’ll advise them to work hard,” I said with a smile. “As long as you’ve dreamt about it, work on it, and you can achieve it.”

The crowd gave a loud applause and a few people whistled. The smile on my face grew wider, and I began to walk carefully down the stage.

Interviewers and paparazzi followed me everywhere, eager to get more photographs, and ask more questions.

But I was done for the day.

“Ms. Wright, should we be expecting another company launch?”

Through the crowd, I heard whispers about me, and for the first time in years, nobody commented about my body because...

Nobody knew who I was.

“She’s my role model.”

“Miranda Wright is so influential and successful.”

“I admire her. She’s a real boss lady.”

I smiled as I walked through the crowd, pretending not to hear the little comments. The same people who’d once made nasty remarks about me were the same ones applauding me.

It had taken three years for me to change the narrative, three years for me to leave the country and return with a whole new personality.

A whole new body.

After my father died, I inherited his billion dollar empire and began running his chain of companies.

I was adopted when I was eight years old. My adopted parents loved and adored me, but they barely had money to spend on anything.

Grandpa Wellington was our greatest help. Mara, my adopted mother, worked as a housekeeper for the Wellingtons. Most of the times, I assisted her with the chores.

That was where Grandpa Wellington saw me and insisted that I married his grandson because of how hardworking I was.

And after I’d saved his life during a fire accident that occurred on his 70th birthday gala.

I’d only found out about my biological father, Gerald Wright, two years after marrying Adrian. We’d kept in touch secretly, but I had no idea how wealthy he was until he died.

“Ms. Wright,” Gia, my personal assistant, called after approaching me. “There’s a couple waiting outside to see you.”

My eyebrows furrowed. I’d only returned to the country three days ago to collect the awards. I wasn’t expecting anyone to see me because I’ve been denying appointments.

“A couple?” I asked. “Who are they?”

“Adrian and Joanna Wellington.”

My chest tightened at the mention of their names. Adrian and Joanna. I’d heard about their wedding three years ago. They’d gotten married a week after Adrian and I divorced.

I’d gotten several requests and countless emails from them about wanting to meet me. Apparently, their company was at the brink of collapse and they needed me to form a business alliance.

Wearing a small smile, I whispered. “Tell them to meet me tomorrow morning at the office.”

“They’ve refused, Ma’am,” Gia muttered. “And they’ve been waiting for the last five hours under the sun.”

“Five hours?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“They’re really desperate, aren’t they?” I whispered to myself, chuckling softly. Then I returned my attention to Gia. “Sure, show them the way to the private office in this building.”

For three years, I’ve been building myself and waiting for the right time to strike. Everytime I thought I was ready, I realized that I wasn’t, and I kept postponing my plans.

But today? Maybe it was the day I’d finally enter phase one of my revenge.

I walked confidently into my private office, getting ready to meet the same people who’d made my life hell.

Barely five minutes later, the door opened and they walked in with Gia. I raised my head after hearing Gia’s voice, my eyes narrowing at the awful couple.

Seeing them again after so long, brought back painful memories. I knew they had no idea who I was yet, because I’d lost so much weight and looked completely unrecognizable.

Joanna grinned widely, rushing towards me before I could say anything. She stretched her hand forward for a handshake, excitement written all over her.

“It’s an honor to finally meet you, Ms. Wright,” she chimed. “I’m Joanna Wellington.”

I stared at her hand and refused to take it. My back was reclined against my chair as I sipped my coffee.

“Sit.”

She sat down immediately, then I turned my attention to Adrian, who had his eyes on me the whole time.

He didn’t say anything immediately. I signaled at Gia to leave, and turned my face away from Adrian, attending to the documents on my table instead.

“If you have no intention of coming in, Mr. Wellington, then I’ll have to ask both of you to leave.”

Joanna gasped in fear and pushed her body forward, instantly begging me not to chase them away.

“Please forgive him, Ms. Wright,” she apologized. “He’s just stunned to finally meet you.”

I stared at him. “Is that so?”

“You’re our biggest mentor,” she said excitedly. “We’ve been waiting to meet you for a whole year, but you’ve been unavailable.”

I wore a small smile, wondering if she would say the same thing if she knew who I was. Or if she would insult me if I looked like my old self in my old body.

Adrian slowly walked into the office and took a seat. His fingers massaged his forehead gently, his voice still as husky as I’d remembered.

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Wright,” he murmured. “You felt familiar and…”

He trailed off, but I was curious to know if a flash of recognition had replayed in his head when he saw me.

I pressed further. “And what?”

He shrugged. “You have the same first name as my ex-wife. And somehow, I see the resemblance.”

Joanna smacked his hand to keep him grounded, and I saw the silent reprimand in her action while hearing it in her tone.

“Don’t be rude, honey.”

“Rude?” I asked curiously. “Why would you think he’s being rude?”

She chuckled nervously. “His ex-wife was a fat looking pig. She was totally ugly, and you look nothing like her. You’re so pretty and perfect.”

Typical Joanna.

Of course, she’d never change.

She spoke with so much venom and hatred that it made my stomach churn. She still hated the old Miranda, and it was painful to know that.

“I’m sorry if I sounded rude, Ms. Wright,” said Adrian, apologizing.

Never had I heard or seen Adrian Wellington apologize to any one, except his late grandfather.

But here he was, kissing the feet of a woman he had no idea was someone he’d ridiculed.

I didn’t respond to his apology. I wanted to know what he thought about me and if he knew what had happened.

So, I asked. “Your ex-wife, what was her name? And where’s she now?”

Adrian let out a small laugh like I’d asked something funny. His voice was thick with hatred and sarcasm.

“Her name was Miranda Keyes,” he responded. “And for all I know, she died three years ago.”