Chapter 5. A Revenge Begin

YVONNE'S POV. 

The city of California was bustling as I stood behind the glass window of the top floor of my company. Five years had passed so quickly, it was a familiar sight since I left New York City. 

In my hand is a magazine with my picture on the cover, boldly titled: "California Business Octopus: Who Owns the Ambergynn Group of Companies?" and, "American Billionaire Top 20 List: The Mysterious Ms. Hamberg". 

My lips smirked as I read the two newly-released American magazines. This wasn't the first time magazines had highlighted my company—Ambergynn Group Company. 

No one knew I was the owner of this company. For years I had been hiding behind the identity of Mrs. Hamberg who did not reveal myself to the public. 

"Mrs. Yvonne, something has been sent for you, an urgent letter." 

My attention shifted completely to my secretary who brought me a folder of documents. I moved towards the desk and picked up the document folder that was placed there. 

"What is this?" I asked. "I never get urgent letters."

"An investment proposal. I don't know who sent it."

I took a paper from inside the document folder, reading what was written there: 

[INVESTMENT REQUEST PROPOSAL

ALENATHAN URBAN COMPANY] 

My eyes widened reading the name of this company. I was silent as my breath caught and my body froze. There was only one name that rang in my mind along with the bad memories of five years ago. 

Kale. This is Kale's company. I haven't heard from him in years, and I even blocked all access to our communication. 

"Isn't this Kale's company?" I muttered as my body stiffened even more. 

It was like an explosion of shock. I didn't react in the slightest. All those years I spent building the Scout Market business into a big company. 

I spent time escaping from everything in New York. 

But was it all worth it just to see Kale again? 

My breath caught, my chest became so tight that my body collapsed onto the table. I closed my eyes for a moment as bad memories invaded my mind. 

"Mrs. Yvonne, are you okay?!" Carmen, my secretary, approached me frantically. 

I made a hand gesture that I was fine, even though it was a lie. 

"Carmen, check the list of companies that are VVIP guests at the inauguration of Ambergynn Group's subsidiary," I stammered. 

Carmen then moved quickly to hand me the VVIP guest list. 

I read the VVIP guest list one by one, and there were only about 50 people there. In the alphabetical order of 'K', I found the name 'Kale' so clearly. 

Not only that. There was Jessy's name written not far from Kale's name. 

A surge of curiosity made me scroll through the screen to find Georgia's name—Jessy's mom and Richard—my dad. 

They were all on the VVIP guest list for the inauguration of Ambergynn Group's subsidiary. 

Suddenly, I froze completely. I gulped down saliva that tasted bitter. On the other hand, I felt a rush of satisfaction, an adrenaline rush that I had been waiting for for a long time.

"Do I have to meet them again?" 

***

"For the first time, we will welcome the CEO of Ambergynn Group Company... Mrs. Yvonne Hamberg Frennica!" 

All the lights and media cameras were shining on me. 

All the attention in this room has been mine for years. 

I stride upright in my maroon gown down the red carpet towards the stage. As I walked, camera flashes were everywhere taking pictures of me. 

My eyes darted around, searching for Kale, and stopped when I found him with Jessy, Dad, and Georgia. 

My lips spontaneously grinned. Their faces were shocked as if they never expected me to appear in front of them like this. 

On the other hand, my heart was beating fast with creeping anxiety. 

Arriving at the stage, I froze for a moment, my gaze straight at Kale and my family—I didn't know whether to call them family or not.

For several minutes I spoke the opening lines, speeches, and various explanations about the Ambergynn Group's subsidiaries. 

The whole time I was speaking, I was only looking at one point: Kale, who looked troubled. I remembered that five years ago, before leaving New York, his face had mocked me. 

It burned in my heart that I was so eager to present the Ambergynn Group's subsidiary.

"...I am truly grateful for all of your attention, as well as the employees of the Ambergynn Group companies. You have contributed to the development of the company." 

Applause echoing in the room after I said the last sentence. My heart was relieved. 

An hour passed, and the event turned into a free talk session between the VVIP guests.

I was just about to move from my seat, but one of my hands was grabbed from the side. When I looked up, I stiffened to see Kale looking at me intensely. 

"Yvonne? You... have been the CEO of Ambergynn Group Company?" 

That was Kale's first question.

I glanced at Kale's hand sarcastically, then dismissed it roughly. I turned my body to face him fully. During the time we made eye contact, the atmosphere of the surroundings turned cold on me. 

"Shouldn't you be asking how I'm doing, Kale?" I asked with a sardonic smile. 

Kale was dumbfounded for a moment. His eyes traced my entire body, there was a twinkle of admiration there.

"How could..." Kale paused, his breath sounding labored. "...I didn't expect, I sent an investment request proposal to the Ambergyn Group company."

"Yes, I have received it," I replied. "Do you desperately need my answer, Kale?"

Unexpectedly, after Kale had been downcast for a while, he knelt down in front of me. 

"Yvonne, I regret what I did to you five years ago." 

I suddenly took a step back. My eyes widened in shock and panic mixed together. 

The conversations around me stopped. All gazes shifted to me as curious whispers echoed. 

"Yvonne, I'm sorry for what I did. I was so stupid, I wasted the opportunity you gave me!" 

I spread a lopsided smile. At my feet, Kale bowed his head. Another plan suddenly crossed my mind. 

"Stand up. If you're really sorry, follow me," I said firmly.

***

Sreek!

The sound of tearing paper was so crisp. 

In front of Kale's face, I deliberately tore the paper of his investor request proposal and let the pieces fly to the floor. 

I looked at Kale flatly while Kale's gaze turned sharp at me. He didn't say anything, but his hardened jaw showed restrained anger. The atmosphere of my CEO's office grew tense, choking us into silence. 

"What are you doing, Yvonne?" Kale's tone was full of emphasis. 

"Rejecting your proposal," I replied without hesitation. "Why? Do you feel your heart throbbing with pain at my actions now?"

Kale's sarcastic laughter rang out. "Are you trying to get back at me for the pain you've caused me in the past?"

I really wanted to slap Kale's face right now. After we were separated for so many years, I didn't expect to see this face again. It was sickening. I spent years trying to find the end of our meeting the second time around. 

"Why can't you forgive me? I'm really sorry," Kale said. 

"Are you sorry, or do you need money?" I quipped sarcastically. 

Kale looked disgusted, he looked away with a rough sigh. 

"Yvonne, do you feel powerful now to treat me like this?" 

"You should ask yourself when you're treating me like trash," I snapped. 

"Yvonne..." 

Kale suddenly grabbed one of my hands and held on tightly. His face that had been tense became pleading to me again. 

"Please, Yvonne. I can't let my company go bankrupt, you know... Jessy... she set me up," Kale stammered. 

I brushed his hand away angrily. I was starting to feel anxious. Dealing with Kale felt like a threat to me. 

"That's your business, you chose to be with Jessy, why should I be responsible for your company, huh?"

"Jessy is your sister!" Kale raised his voice, snapping but also worried. "You have to pay for what she did!" 

My frustration peaked. Suddenly, I pointed my index finger at his face. 

"She's not my sister!" I replied firmly. "Ever since you and them ditched me... I cut off all connections with you guys. So I'm not responsible for anything!" 

Kale curved a lopsided smile. It was like he had a devious thought in mind—and it made my hair stand on end. He removed my index finger from in front of his face. 

"What if I reveal that you were pregnant with my child while fleeing to California?"