Chapter 4

MIRANDA

Of course, they thought I’d died three years ago after I’d mysteriously disappeared from the country.

But they had no idea who was sitting right in front of them.

“So…” I began after a few seconds, attempting to change the conversation. “You wanted to meet me?”

Joanna nodded impatiently. From her actions, I could tell that she was more excited than Adrian to meet me.

“Yes, Ms. Wright.”

“Well, I’m here now.”

Joanna exchanged glances with Adrian, then leaned forward carefully, her attention shifting back to me.

“We’ve seen and heard a lot about your business achievements, and we’d like to be a part of that amazing success story. So, we’re offering you an opportunity.”

My eyebrows furrowed. “Opportunity?”

“Yes,” Adrian added. “You’re one of the few business owners who’ve really inspired us, and as a business mogul myself, I think there’s one thing both our companies have in common.”

“And what could that be, Mr. Wellington?”

“Resources.”

I chuckled softly at his response. It was easy to know what he meant because I’d been in the shadow during the last three years, feeding off every information about his company.

Adrian Wellington might’ve been the biggest business man in the city—but that was three years ago.

His company was currently struggling, and he was on the verge of bankruptcy. Hence nobody wanted to do business with him anymore.

He’d gone from owning the company to having only forty percent shares. He’d sold sixty to another company, and was practically living off the proceeds of his savings.

I sat upright in my chair, darting my eyes between both of them. Joanna stared at me like she’d lose sight of me if she blinked.

“Resources, huh?” I murmured. “So, what are you suggesting, Mr. Wellington?”

He didn’t respond immediately. He glanced at his wife briefly and she gave him a nod, signaling that it was okay to continue.

I already knew what he was going to say, but I patiently waited for him to utter the words.

“We think a business alliance would be the best decision for both our companies, Ms. Wright.”

A business alliance with a company that was already failing? They must’ve thought that I was a dumb person that could be manipulated when I already knew what was going on with them.

Still, I pretended not to know anything, and showed signs of being genuinely interested in their offer.

“You think a business alliance is worth giving a shot?”

Joanna nodded. “For a company as great as ours, it’s the right fit for yours, Ma’am.”

“Isn’t your company struggling?” I asked, and I noticed the falter in their expression.

They’d done their best to hide it away from the media by debunking it as fake news. But I knew too well.

Adrian cleared his throat slightly like my words had him in a chokehold. “That’s only a misconception.”

“And a rumor,” Joanna added. “Our company is actually thriving. Saying it’s failing is only a narrative pushed by the people we’ve refused to form an alliance with.”

I forced a small smile. “And you think that I’m the better candidate for this?”

“Ms. Wright, with everything you’ve achieved under such a short period of time, you’re the best candidate we’d ever have to choose.”

I smiled again, but this time it was because they had no idea what they were doing. It was funny that I didn’t even prepare or add that to my plans, but I already got an idea.

“Fine,” I said after a few minutes of silence. “Let’s have a business alliance, shall we?”

Joanna’s eyes lit up in excitement. “Really? You’re going to merge your company with ours?”

“It’s a little too early for that, don’t you think, Mrs. Wellington? I’m considering your business offer, but first…”

I picked up my pen and tapped it lightly against the table, staring at both of them with my eyes narrowed.

“You’ll have to agree to my terms.” I added.

Adrian didn’t hesitate to respond. “Sure. What are your terms?”

“I’ll pay a visit to your company for a little visual check. And my lawyers will draft the whole business documents. Everything we’re going to sign.”

They were silent for a moment and kept exchanging silent glances. I didn’t rush them for a response, I sat there unbothered, knowing they had no other choice.

No other option.

That couple was desperate to do anything. They were running low on money and needed a successful company to save them.

But they were going about it the wrong way by trying to trick people into signing and forming alliances with them.

“We accept your terms, Ms. Wright.” Joanna spoke up seconds later, grinning from ear to ear.

“Are you sure you’ve thought this through?” I asked.

Adrian leaned over, and his eyes almost made me pity him. But past memories of how he’d treated me replayed in my head, and I shoved off every atom of pity.

“Absolutely,” he said. “And we’re ready to do this.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Joanna whispered. “There’s no other person we’d want to close a business deal with.”

Perfect.

They were already heading to their doom, and were completely clueless about it. I smiled to myself, knowing out of the three phases of revenge I’d planned…

I was done with phase one.

Well, almost done. There were still a few things I needed to put in place before marking it complete.

I gave a subtle nod, stood up, then dismissed them with my words and a small wave.

“Good. I’ll see you tomorrow morning then.”