Chapter 7

Lisa’s POV

After my conversation with Jace last night, I decided to meet up with my father this morning.

My meeting with him had left me restless. Since I stepped out of his office, my thoughts had been making rounds in my head.

I should have felt triumphant but instead I was restless.

He didn't acknowledge me as the foolish daughter who once gambled her inheritance on love, but as a strategist.

He saw me as someone who was worthy of trust and didn't hesitate when I asked him for help.

He gave me something tangible: power.

I was almost drifting further in my thoughts when the front door lock beeped open and close.

“You're back," I said, rising from the couch I had been lying on and then proceeded to turn on the lights.

“Hey,” he waved, trying to shield his face but I saw it.

“You’re hurt,” I said, my gaze on the reddened spot.

Shaking his head with a smile at the corner of his lips, he brushed it off. “It’s nothing.”

“Nothing?" I huffed, closing the distance between us.

“Dominic.” I called but he didn't answer, he didn't even act like he had heard the name..

“You went to the family house,” I pressed.

A flicker of something crossed his face. It was like guilt, irritation or maybe both.

After what seemed like forever, he gave a short nod.

My chest tightened as the thought of Dominic hitting Jace crawled through my veins.

How dare Dominic raise his hand on him?

Seething in anger, I clenched my fists as I made my way towards the window only to snap my head around to face him. “He doesn’t get to keep doing this. Trying to make people cower before him like he owns the world.”

“Lisa.” Jace’s voice was steady.

“I…”

"Hey… that's enough." He muttered, pushing his hand forward only to pull it back. “Don’t let him take up more space in your mind than he already does because that’s what he wants.”

“If he sees you all fired up, trust me he will be glad that he has struck a nerve." He added after a brief silence.

Letting out a low sigh, I pressed my palms against the cold glass of the window as I forced myself to breathe.

Jace was right. I shouldn't allow Dominic’s action to get to me as it was no use.

“Fine.” Shoving aside Dominic’s face, I crossed my hand on my chest and then said, "Tell me, how was the meeting?”

“The same as always. Nothing interesting came up.”

“And you came back bleeding.” I huffed, my gaze still on the bruise. I was barely keeping my anger in check.

Flashing me a smile like it was funny, he said, “I’ve had worse, it's nothing new.”

“It's not funny." I snapped. “You should allow him to ride on you anymore." Still wearing his smile, he nodded.

Ugh! — I groaned internally.

Jace and I had the same goal in mind and that was to make Dominic pay for what he had done but he was acting weak.

And I hated it.

I have to get him back on track. — I thought, rubbing my nape which was aching slightly.

“What about yours? You said you were going to meet your father."

“I did." I affirmed watching as his eyes sharpened with curiosity.

“He handed one of his company to me."

“What?” He sounded genuinely surprised. "He did that after…"

“Yes he did. I don't know but I think he believes I wouldn't be a fool for the second time." I huffed while he chuckled.

Titling my head to the side, I added, “Well, it's not just any company. He gave me the one that competes with Dominic’s directly.”

“He positioned me as his rival like I wanted,” I continued, my voice cold and firm “And I intend to use this golden opportunity with all I have.”

He studied me as if he was weighing the woman sitting before him against the girl I used to be.

Finally, he asked, “Does Dominic know?”

“Does Dominic know what?”

“That you are coming back to the business world and you will be going head on against him.”

“No. But you should tell me something.” I leaned forward, pinning him with my gaze.

The confused look on his face was all I wanted before I asked the big question. “Does Dominic know that you’re running your own company?”

“How did you—” He faltered, searching my face like he would get a response from it.

“You can’t hide things from me, Jace,” I said and with a shrug added, “I can see through your act. It's just like hiding a lamp in a dark room.”

He stared at me for a while before a laugh broke from his lips. It wasn't mocking, it was a surprise.

“You really don’t miss a thing,” he said, shaking his head.

“No,” I replied simply.

“You’re right. No one knows about it. The only people aware are me and my best friend, he acts as the face while I stay behind the curtain.”

“And now me.” I smirked.

“And now you,” he chuckled softly.

Smacking my lips, I placed my hand on my chest like I was making a pledge. “Don't worry, your secret is safe with me,” I said, eliciting a soft laugh from him.

I was about to ask a few questions about Dominic as I needed to know the kind of person I was going up against since it would help in my strategy but a call interrupted.

Pursing my lips, I glanced down at my screen. The moment I saw the name on the screen, I picked up without hesitation.

“Yes?” I asked, leaning forward slightly. I had been expecting this call for a few hours now.

“It’s done, I’ve settled it just like you wanted.” The calm and confident voice from the other end filtered into my ear as relief and satisfaction washed over me with a slow smile curling across my lips.

“Good,” I said, my voice dripping with triumph.