CHAPTER ONE

FINALLY USEFUL TO THE FAMILY

ELARA’S POV

“What do you mean by we are losing money?” I spring up in anger, unable to hide the annoyance in my voice.

Everywhere went quiet instantly. The sound of my chair scraping flat against the floor as I push it backwards with the back of my knees, echoed in the large conference room. Everyone was watching me like I had gone mad and at the same time studying my expression intently but what hurt me the most is that no one looked surprised at all. It was like everyone except me was already aware of this situation.

A few minutes ago, an emergency board meeting was summoned and this was what it was all about? How did we even get here?

Mr. Harris, the finance director, breaks the silence as he clears his throat and adjusts his glasses. He avoids my eyes as he slides printed documents toward me from across the table like he was placing evidence at a crime scene.

“The company has been running at a loss for the past three quarters as there's been a thirty percent drop in revenue” He speaks with caution. “Our investors are not happy and our key clients are walking away, Miss Whitmore. The numbers do not lie”

While he is talking, I go through the document in my hands and my fingers tighten around the papers. What I am seeing leaves me dumbfounded as I keep flipping through pages. There were too many losses, debts, missing finds and cancelled contracts. Also, a lot of numbers are in red.

This just doesn't make any sense.

“This is impossible,” I said, shaking my head slowly. “We signed three major contracts this year. We should be making profit, not losses. Something is wrong with these numbers”

Before anyone could respond, a soft laugh came from the other side of the table. I didn't have to look up to know who it was.

My stepmother, Miranda Whitmore, sits there in her charcoal grey elegant suit, her dark hair pinned perfectly in place, her legs crossed and her fingers resting calmly on the table like she was posing for a photograph.

“Well, Elara,” she said, tilting her head slightly, “running a company is not the same as reading books and dreaming. This is the real world. Perhaps, this is not the time to start pointing accusing fingers”

“I'm not pointing fingers," I said. “I'm only asking questions that this board should be asking."  

The board,” Director Shin said, looking at me over her glasses, which sat low on her nose, “is asking why revenue has fallen every month since you took the leadership position.”

I open my mouth.

“Honestly, sister," Chloe speaks up before I could.

My stepsister looks at me with a small smile at the corner of her mouth that did not reach her eyes. The kind of smile that knows exactly what it is doing.

“Everyone knows Father only gave you the Company because you were his favorite. Not because you were capable. Mother and I have been trying to set things afloat since his death. You wouldn't know because we didn't want to make it look like we were burdening you with so much.”

Impressive!

If I don't know my step sister any better, I will fall for all these acts just now. Well, too bad, because the investors bought all her lies. They nod their heads while they murmur among themselves.

I wrap my palm in a fist.

No, I won't let them see the effect they're having over me. I don't want that satisfied look on their faces.

Don't get me wrong please, I'm just saying what everyone is thinking, Sis." She rushed to speak in her manipulative sweet tone. "Dad left you the company because he loves you. That doesn't mean you know how to run it.”

“I am capable,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “and this company is not losing money because of me. Someone has been making reckless spending decisions and approving projects without my permission.”

I looked directly at Miranda with her latest fifty thousand dollars Dior limited edition set from Paris when I said that.

She did not even blink.

“Oh my,” she feigns surprise. “Now you are accusing your own family? Your mother? Investors, you can see the problem right? Instead of taking responsibility, she is blaming others.”

“That is not what I’m doing,” I said calmly while my both hands pressed flat against the table. “I have evidence that money has been moved from company accounts without any approval…”

One of the investors suddenly slams his hand on the table. “We invested in this company because of your father!” he said angrily. “But ever since you took over, everything is going downhill!”

“We are losing patience, Miss Whitmore. Maybe it is time for new leadership.” Another investor added.

It feels like someone just poured cold water over my body. New leadership? They want to remove me? This is my father’s company for goodness sake!

My father built this company from nothing. I remembered visiting him here when I was a child. He would carry me in his arms and tell me, “One day, this will be yours, Elara. You must protect it.”

I swallow hard and force myself to stand straight.

“My father trusted me with this company,” I said, not hiding the firmness in my voice. “I will not let it fail. Give me some time and I will fix this. I promise you.”

The room falls into silence again but it isn't the kind that means everyone agrees with me.

Mr. Harris sighs. “We will give you three months,” he said. “If the company does not recover, the board will vote for a new CEO.”

Only three months to save my father’s company? I nod even though my heart drops.

“Understood,” I said.

The meeting ends almost quickly after that. I quickly gather my book and pen in my hands and walk out of the boardroom and into the hallway. I keep walking, distracted by my thoughts, until I find the bathroom at the far end of the floor. I push the door open, move to the sink area, and turn the cold water on full. I bend my head, cup my palms under the running water and splash it in my face.

My eyes burn with tears threatening to fall. I will not cry here. No one will see me weak.

I press my fingers harder against my eyes.

“Father, I won't let them take your company away. I promise. I will not let it die. I don't care what they do. I will not let it die.” I made a solid promise in my heart.

I straighten up quickly and look at myself in the mirror. I see a reflection of my tired eyes. I square my shoulders and raise my chin. I keep it that way and walk back out.

I walk into Miranda by the elevator.

"Elara dear." She touches my arm lightly. "I want to apologize."

I look at her hand on my arm, then at her face. I'm I hallucinating?

"The meeting was stressful for everyone," Her voice was warm now, the boardroom sharpness completely gone. "I should have supported you more in there. I'm sincerely sorry."

That word sounds strange coming from her. I study her eyes. There is no hint of mischief in them. I still know that she is lying. Every part of me and every memory of every year living under the same roof with this woman knows it.

Right now, I am tired, to my bones. The kind of bone-tired that lives behind your eyes and makes everything feel heavier than it should.

"It's fine, Miranda."

It's not." She squeezes my arm gently. "Let me make it up to you. Come join us for dinner tonight. Just the three of us, as one family." A soft smile. "Let's brainstorm together and think of a way to rectify the whole issue on ground now…please?"

I should say no. My instinct is screaming ‘hell no!’

The word ‘family’ sits in my chest in an aching way.  The real family I wanted was gone, and this is all that I have left.

"Okay," I reply. "Fine.”

Miranda’s smile widens for a second before she controls it.

“Wonderful,” she said. “We’ll be waiting for you tonight.”

***

I arrive early at the Whitmore Mansion and walk straight to the dining area. The dinner table is already set when I enter. The food smells nice. Everything looks perfect. There are candles in the center, and those special kinds of plates around it.

Chloe is already sitted. She smiles when she sees me.

"You’re here!” Chloe says happily. “Come sit.”

Her good mood makes me uncomfortable. Calm down, Elara, you are overthinking things. I assure myself.

Miranda comes in from the kitchen carrying a bottle of white wine and three glasses.

"You look famished and exhausted," she said. "Eat something, then you can rest afterwards."

I nod.

She sits and smiles at me. " Let's eat.”

After some minutes, Chloe pours a drink in each of the glass cups. She sets one in front of me, one in front of her mom and in front of herself.

I murmur a ‘thank you’.

Miranda raises her glass and smiles at me. “To family."

"To family," Chloe replies excitedly as she raises hers.

I pick up my glass, raise it and nod.

Put it down, and don't drink it. I ignore the voice in my head.

I'm tired of fighting, of suspecting and of being the only person in every room who feels like the enemy. I'm tired of being alone in a house full of people.

I bring the glass to my lips and take a small sip. The wine is cold and sweet. "This is nice.” I set it back down and reach for my fork.

Chloe and Miranda exchange a second look and smile at me. We continue talking, and I drink more from the glass.

I glance at my watch. If I have to get to my house on time, I need to leave early. I start to get up but I fall back lazily. The place is blurry all of a sudden and everything is turning upside down. I think I've eaten too much.

“Are you ok honey?" Stepmother asked, looking concerned.

I blink, unsure of what or how to reply.

"Are you alright sis?" Chloe's voice sounds like it came from somewhere far away, even though she was sitting right across from me.

"I'm…" The word is thick in my mouth. "I'm fine. I just…"

I grip the edge of the table.

"I think you've had too much to eat and are tired already." Chloe explains.

"Yeah, I think so.” I still try to process what's happening. Why is the room spinning?

I grab a nearby glass of water and gulp it in one go. I place the glass down and press my fingers against my temple.

“Are you okay, sister?” Chloe asks, her voice sounding far away.

“I… I feel strange,” I say, trying to stand up but my legs did not listen. The floor comes up very fast and my vision starts to close in gradually. The lights in the room look like they are dancing to the sound of nothing.

“Yes, the medicine should be working now.” Miranda’s voice suddenly sounds very calm and clear.

My heart skips a beat.

“Medicine? What medicine?” I ask, looking skeptical. My eyes widen in shock, but they can barely focus now. I use my fingers to pry it open to stay in place but I am too lazy to make it stay open.

“Don't push it baby, just relax.” Chloe chuckles.

“W-What… did you… do…” I try to speak, but my tongue is heavy.

Chloe laughs softly.

Miranda stands up and walks toward me. She bends down until her face is close to mine. She looks me dead in the eye. Her eyes are cold and there is no kindness in them anymore.

“Tonight, “you will finally be useful to this family.” she

Fear rushes through my body. I try to stand up quickly, but my legs give up.

My chair falls backward as I collapse to the floor.

The last thing I see is Miranda and Chloe standing above me, looking down at me with cold smiles.

Then everything goes dark.