Chapter 32

The corridors of Wellington Holdings buzzed with tension. News of Amelia's return had already spread like wildfire within the company. Employees grumbled under their breath, directors scrambled to make adjustments, and even the most seasoned board members were left dazed.

Amelia sat in Jake's vintage grand office, her fingers running along the rim of the desk in a soft caress. The air was heavy with the scent of expensive wood polish and leathered wear, a bitter reminder of the heritage she now possessed.

This room yelled Jake Wellington.

But it belonged to her now.

She took a deep breath, letting reality seep in. Jake never questioned her, not even when no one else did. He left her this kingdom, not out of charity, but as a provocation.

"Make them beg, Amelia. Make them regret the day they underestimated you."

His voice lingered with her, a past echo.

A. rap at the door broke into her daydream. She didn't have to ask who it was.

"Care to come in?" she suggested.

Marson did, his usual calm self, but there was a glint in his eyes—concern perhaps?

Or admiration? She couldn't tell.

"You caused quite an upheaval today," he said, placing a folder on her desk. "The board is still reeling."

"Let them struggle," Amelia snapped back, her voice unshakeable. "They'll accommodate themselves soon enough."

Marson stared at her for a space of time before he nodded. "Catherine and Beatrice left in dudgeon. But Ronald—" he tailed off. "He is not reacting as we expected him to."

Amelia sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Ronald is cautious. He never takes action unless he's certain of the outcome. That's the trouble."

Marson hesitated before going on. "There is something more."

Amelia arched an eyebrow.

"Your father wants to see you."

A long silence stretched between them.

Her father.

Rodriguez.

The man who had once shaped her world, only to watch it crumble without ever stepping in.

"Where is he?" she finally asked.

"Waiting in the executive lounge."

She took a deep breath, pushing aside the whirlwind of emotions threatening to surface. "I’ll see him now."

Amelia entered the executive lounge with slow, deliberate steps.

Seated in one of the leather armchairs, her father, Rodriguez, looked up as she approached. Time had added a few silver streaks to his dark hair, but his posture remained as regal as ever.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then…

"You’ve grown," Rodriguez said, his voice deep and steady.

Amelia allowed herself a small smile. "It’s been four years, Father."

He slowly nodded. "I learned of today's incident. You do have an effective way of entering a room."

She stood arms crossed. "Is this the reason for which you are visiting? My entrance shock for a boardroom?"

Rodriguez rubbed his forehead. "No, Amelia. I came by because. I wanted to see you."

His voice kept her from speaking.

She had nursed a grudge against this man for years—his doing nothing, his saying nothing. And now he was sitting across from her, near. vulnerability.

"Why now?" she said, her voice softer than she intended. "Why did you stay hidden from me all those years?"

Rodriguez met her gaze, and for the first time in years, Amelia saw something she had long and hopelessly desired to see—regret.

"I was defending you," he admitted. "When you wed the Wellingtons, I felt it was in your best interests. I figured Ronald would be." He ground out a sharp breath. ".But I erred. And before I even realized it, you were already gone."

Amelia's knuckles were white. "I waited, Father. I waited for you to act, for you to do something. And you never did."

Pain crossed his face. "I know. And for that, I have no excuse."

There was silence between them once more, heavy with the burden of years of unspoken words, before he spoke again.

Then, in a whisper, Rodriguez said, "You are my daughter, Amelia. Whatever has happened, that will never change."

A lump formed in her throat, but she swallowed it.

"I don't require your protection any longer," she said to him. "I'm not that innocent girl who waited around for someone to rescue her."

A slow, mournful smile crossed Rodriguez's face. "I can see that."

A moment of silence.

Then.

"I have one question," Rodriguez said, leaning slightly forward. "What is your endgame, Amelia?"

She met his gaze, unwavering.

"Justice."

A deep breath escaped her father's lips. He regarded her for another instant, then nodded.

"Then I pray you are successful."

As Amelia stepped out of the lounge, her heart felt heavier than ever.

Her father's words echoed in her mind, but no time to worry about that. Bigger battles awaited.

She could not explain what was running in her mind then. So far, so good.

She was victorious because of all that happened inside the conference room. She was aware that she had already left her mark on Ronald and she was highly satisfied with it.

She had to make sure that she would be able to make it with the revenge that she was going to create for her child and for Jake.

She was not allowed to take risks in whatever she would be undertaking. She had to be sure of everything because these enemies they had were clever.

In her office, back at work, she found Marson waiting for her.

"You ought to know," he said, "there's an emergency meeting with the top-level executives tomorrow, convened by Ronald."

Amelia snorted. "Of course, he has."

"He's already taking measures," Marson cautioned.

"Let him." Amelia picked up a pen, twirling it between her fingers. "Ronald thinks he knows how to play this game."

She placed the pen down with a soft thud.

"But so do I."

As night fell over Wellington Holdings, Amelia remained in the office, reviewing the files Marson had brought her. Every financial record, every decision made in her absence she needed to know it all.

The tap on her office door was sharp and deliberate.

"Come in," she said, without looking up.

The door groaned open, and the atmosphere in the room shifted.

A figure.

Cold. Calculated.

She looked up, and there was the familiar, icy blue stare of Ronald Wellington.

Neither of them said anything for a moment.

Then*****

"You didn't take any time," he said, walking into the room. His tone was controlled, almost sarcastic.

"Neither did you," she replied, relaxing back into her chair. "An emergency meeting? That's fast, even for you."

Ronald smiled, but there was no warmth to it. "You know me well enough now, Amelia. I don't linger."

She tilted her head a little to the side. "And yet here you are."

There was a silence.

Then, his voice with quiet challenge, Ronald said, "You think this is over because you came in here with Jake's files?"

Amelia sneered. "Oh, Ronald," she whispered. "This is only the start."

Amelia seemed to be extremely confident with everything she did and everything she said.

Ronald had never seen this side of Amelia before and he couldn't help but ask her where she had been and how much she had changed.

He found himself coming back thinking about the very last thing she said and he could hear his heart pounding so intensely inside his ribcage. He knew Amelia was scheming something. Something he could not quite place his finger on and tell.

He regarded her, his expression stoic. And then, gradually, he smiled a malevolent, knowing smile.

"Then see how long you can last."

With that, he turned and exited, leaving behind a storm!!