The Return They Never Expected

Chapter 5: The Return They Never Expected

Maddie

I looked up at Camden and saw raw and pure hatred in his eyes.

It shocked me to the core.

I still can't believe the man who once adored Freddie and his mother now looked at them with so much disgust. Whatever happened between them must have been serious.

“Camden,” I called slowly, lowering my head. I still couldn't look directly into his eyes. Something about him always made me nervous.

“It hasn't gotten to that point . Please forgive him.” I pleaded with him. I really feel guilty about all this. I didn't want a father and son to break apart because of me.

In a second, his anger soothed into a calm expression.

“Alright,” he said . “Meet me in my study room.” With that, he turned and walked away.

Odora looked stunned. Her expression was unbelievable. She probably never thought her husband could go this far because of me.

“I don't know what you used on him to make him care for you like this but trust me, it won't last long. Camden gets bored easily.” She uttered with a calm tone.

Freddie laughed and shook his head.

“I'm definitely sure my father married her out of sympathy. Just like the way I did.” I walk away silently without saying a word. Heading to Camden's study room with slow steps.

My mind was still replaying everything that happened downstairs . Camden angers. His protection and hatred towards them.

I still couldn't understand how a man who once loved his family deeply now looked at them like enemies. Something must have happened, something serious.

I stopped in front of the study room and knocked gently.

“Come in.”

I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Camden was seated behind a large desk. A laptop was open in front of him, with several files arranged neatly besides it.

. He raised his eyes when he saw me.

“Sit.”

I obeyed quietly and sat across from him for a moment, he said nothing. Which made me panic in fear. After some minutes, he finally closed the files in front of him.

“You like pleading for people who hurt you.” He uttered and unfortunately, I hate to say that wasn't a statement but a fact.

Damn! He knows me so well.

“I just don't want trouble because of me. Especially between you and your family.”

a faint smile touched his lips. “You are too used to carrying other people's guilt and that's a very bad habit.”

His words made me lower my gaze. Maybe he was right. Maybe I had spent too many years apologizing for things I never did.

Then he pushes a pile of files towards me.

“Enough of that, it's time you start learning about the company.”

My eyes widened slightly.

“The company? Me?

“But I know nothing about business.” I lied to him. I had never thought the company was also part of his plans.

“I will be teaching you everything.”

This man really meant every word he said.

He leaned back in his chair and glared at me. “Listen carefully Maddie, beauty fades. Sympathy ends. Dependence destroys people.”

Where exactly is this man going?

“ But skill, power, knowledge, those remain.”

Something stirred inside me. No one had ever spoken to me like this before. No one had ever tried to build me.

“I'll learn.”

“Good.” He started with a smile lingering in his eyes.

He explained everything patiently, about shares, signatures, approvals, and how one careless mistake could cost millions. Every word was cleared and as someone who studied accounting in school, I understood everything once. But I didn't let him know.

The next few days passed the same way, morning lessons, afternoon reviews and night reading.

Camden also taught me how to carry myself in meetings, how to speak less and observe more, how to know when someone was lying.

“People reveal themselves when they think you're weak,” he said one evening.

And thinking about everything I passed through in the past, he was indeed right.

The sudden knock on the door brought me back to reality. It was Camden.

“Get dressed.” I stood up immediately, walking towards him.

“Why?”

“We're going to the company.” My heart skipped. My breath hitching with panic.

I really hope I won't mess this up. I hope I can do this.

*****

An hour later, the black car stopped in front of a tall glass building that touched the sky. The Camden group.

A company I once admired and wished I could work there, it's now sitting in front of me.

Workers moved in and out with purpose, cars lined the entrance, security guards stood straight.

This world felt far from the girl who used to get maltreated by her stepmother, who was almost sold to an old man in exchange for marriage by her father.

Who became a servant, a maid in her ex-husband's household.

I couldn't help but look at Camden, he is my saviour. I wonder where I would have been if he hadn't found me that night.

Camden stepped out of the car first, then I followed.

The moment people saw him, they bowed their heads respectfully.

“Good morning sir.”

“Welcome back, sir.”

Then their eyes moved to me, with curiosity and confusion.

Whispers followed us as we entered the elevator. My plans grew sweaty at the thought of everything.

Camden noticed the tension in my eyes and held my hand tightly. “ You don't need their approval. You can do this.”

His words comfort me and give me strength.

The elevator later opened on the top floor. We stepped into a grand office level with polished floors and floor_to ceiling windows.

People were already there, waiting. The moment they saw Camden, they composed themselves.

He walked to the center without a pause, his gaze narrowed at me.

“This is Maddie Camden.” he uttered with pride in his eyes. Waves of silence filled the room as they stared at each other.

“She will begin learning the company structures immediately. Treat her with the same respect you give me.”

Shock spread across their faces. A man standing by the right side adjusted his glasses quickly. A woman nearly dropped her tablet, then footsteps sounded behind us.

I already knew who it was before turning. My darling ex husband. His face was pale with disbelief.

“What is she doing here?” Camden's face suddenly lit up with anger. Like Freddie presence was repulsive to him.

“Working. Something that you could not do.” Freddie laughed bitterly. “Her?”

I lifted my chin and met his eyes. “Yes. Me.”

His expression darkened immediately. Camden finally turned to him.

“If you have time to question others, perhaps you should explain why you still have no role here.”

The room instantly became deathly quiet.

Freddie's jaw clenched. Without another word, he stormed away in anger.

I thought it was over, but as I looked across the room, I noticed something strange. At the far end of the hallway, a man in a dark suit stood still, watching me.