CHAPTER THREE.

ZANDER.

I recognized her almost immediately, when the elevator doors opened. She looked slightly different from the pictures I saw from that night.

It was almost unnoticeable, but I saw the way she hesitated before entering the elevator. She almost squeezed the life of the innocent stress ball she was holding.

She looked like she just got off work. I didn't know she worked in this building.

I had more digging to do to execute my plans.

She didn't look up as she entered. She stayed at the corner of the elevator resting on it while I stayed near the door.

I could feel her staring at the back of my head but I didn't move.

She looked so innocent, fragile and strong at the same time. She didn't look like someone who destroyed lives and moved on.

She didn't even realize how close I had been to her.

That made this easier.

My phone buzzed once in my pocket. I ignored it.

There were more important things occupying my thoughts. Like the woman who had walked away from a wreck that took everything from me, and kept going like she deserved to.

I got back to the office and asked my personal assistant to get everything they could on her.

I tried to continue working, but I couldn't help my mind drifting to that night. The one phone call I got after everything had already happened. How my life never remained the same after that, even my family wasn't the same. I had to return back and take matters into my hands and make one of the hardest decisions I had ever made.

And yet, the perpetrator was walking around free like nothing mattered.

One of the main reasons I came back was for this, and I had every intention to follow through with my plans.

Before long, my personal assistant returned with the file I had requested.

I opened it and there it was, everything I needed to know including details about that night. I flipped through the pages and didn't find anything particularly interesting until something caught my eye.

“Ellis Exchange is in serious risk of bankruptcy.”

I was always interested in partnering with them, but this just took my plans to another level.

While I was trying to figure out a way to make them come to me, I received a call from one of our subsidiary companies.

Ellis Exchange had just pitched to them to invest in their company.

I smirked and ordered them to reject their offer.

I called some companies that they might reach out to, and told them to reject them while calling in some favors.

I waited for them to reach out to me, but they didn't.

I knew they were desperate and I didn't know why they were holding back from reaching out.

I had a reputation for reviving dead companies and taking over, but they had nothing to lose.

I changed everything about my family's business including the name, so they couldn't possibly know that I was affiliated with them.

I went to bed still waiting for them to reach out. By the time I was done with my morning run very early in the morning, I decided to email them instead.

It was simple.

Subject: Proposal

Ivy Ellis,

By now, you’ve exhausted your options.

We are not one of them.

Stone Holdings does not invest.

We acquire.

If you are ready to stop delaying the inevitable,

we can talk.

Zander Stone

It was direct to her and stated my intentions clearly. They had almost no options and they were bound to take the bait at some point.

After I sent that, I relaxed, knowing I already set the ball in motion for my plans.

I did a quick workout in my home gym. Fitness was something I didn't take lightly.

After the workout, I took my coffee to start my day then I got dressed for work.

As soon as I got to work, I was swamped with work. I barely had time to attend to personal calls.

I didn't even notice Ivy Ellis hadn't replied to my email.

I took a break and I was scrolling through my inbox when I saw the notification pop-up.

She agreed to meet. She took the bait. I smirked. I already knew she would.

I responded almost immediately and told her exactly when I wanted us to meet, letting her know who was in charge.

She didn't reply. This was about to be a fun ride. She doesn't seem like one who would give in easily and I'm here for that. I continued my work for the day and by the time the day ended, I had everything mapped out.

By the time she realizes who I am, it would be too late to walk away.

I headed home and took a very long shower with many thoughts running through my mind.

I got dressed, went on my evening run and came back home to take another shower.

I got dressed to go to my parents' house for dinner. It was more of a mansion, but I referred to it as a house because I literally grew up here. Nothing about the tall walls and elegant architecture fazed me anymore. My parents did a great job, but it wasn't my style.

I arrived and took a minute in my car before I headed inside.

I hate to admit it but I dreaded coming here ever since that night. I only came out of duty and out of respect for her. It is what she would have wanted.

My parents were no longer what they used to be. My mom had become more withdrawn, unlike her usual bubbly self. She tried to hide it, but the light in her eyes had dimmed. And I hated the fact that those eyes reminded me of her.

I could also tell that dad was more affected than he let on. They tried not to show it, but that made it worse.

I didn't want them to be miserable, but sometimes I wanted them to be vulnerable, instead of easily keeping this facade that I could see easily through.

Everything in this house reminded me of her and that's why I hated coming back here.

We ate dinner in almost silence, with dad trying to ask about the company and mum asking me about my love life. It just wasn't the same. After dinner, I greeted them goodnight and left immediately.