Power play with elites

THREE YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS LATER

Amelia's POV

It has been years since I signed the deal to become the legal wife of Liam West, who is still battling with his sickness.

Yes, we did our strange marriage ceremony by just signing the contract.

The media burst with a need to know me, of course, about my family background, but Granny West gave out that we wanted it private, not until recently though.

Today is Monday, but tomorrow morning, I will be introduced to the media at the organized press conference as the new chief executive officer of 'West Banking and Finance Enterprise'.

I am a bit afraid but nevertheless, I would rather eat a dead snake than show that weak side of me when the majority of the people in the industry would murder themselves to be in my position.

The minority is my son, Jason, and Granny West.

The two had stood as my wings to keep striving and escaping all traps set by the West's relatives.

For years, I had secretly undergone a series of wide-range business training, and thankfully, it was less hard to fit in because I studied business administration when I was in college.

A knowledge I was determined to use for Ashton, but he had rejected me terribly, and proved me worthless to the extent that I believed I couldn't do anything.

For those three and a half years, Granny West had taken over the company and worked with those weak bones of hers while I assisted with full dedication.

One year ago, Granny West finally introduced me to her grandson's relatives.

I can remember how happy the siblings were at the beginning of the meeting as they thought the gathering was about appointing one of them as the new C.E.O., not knowing a stranger they only heard about on the news would rule over them.

They vowed to give proof about me not being Liam West's lover then, but that old woman had already set everything, including fake love messages between her grandson and me, with fake dates, of course.

The wicked and greedy siblings had no means for them to take a genetic test on Liam and Jason because they are always strictly guarded in Granny West’s house.

Ever since that day, I have been a target of their wrath, and tomorrow is the day they dread the most because they believe they will feel humiliated by the people.

I was more loyal and ready to take this risk because I needed to know why I was the chosen one.

Granny West could have used someone else, but no matter how many times I tried to reject it, she would give me a long lecture on how it's better in my hands.

"Good morning, ma'am. Your schedule for today is to meet the last company we will be partnering with for tomorrow's event. He has the same surname as the West, too,” My secretary announced, her voice sounded amused as she walked behind me while we both entered the massive company.

Many bowed and murmured greetings while I only nodded in response.

"I recall telling you to select a less prominent company," I answered her.

"Yes. I have chosen one who has been striving hard to get a partnership with us for the past seven years." My secretary replied.

"That was before I started working here?" I asked, amazed by the particular company's resilience.

"You are right, ma'am. It's the Golden Hall construction company. They moved to this city last December" My secretary continued to write in her diary, almost walking ahead as I slowed down.

The name was buzzing in my ears.

I finally stopped walking as my heart raced faster than normal.

The name of that company sounded familiar, and I dreaded the truth. "Controlled by whom?"

"Ashton West. He made a public announcement of himself as the CEO just a few months ago. It was quite impressive. People are satisfied because he is handsome and has a similar surname to our company too." She smiled.

I bit my lips as raw hatred washed through me, "Do not mention that company to me, nor acknowledge them," I groaned in disgust.

"It's the only less-prominent company that is worth the chance at the moment. The rest are filled with a series of disgraces." She reasoned.

"No matter what you say, Stella. The owner of the company isn't stepping into this building…" I affirmed.

"If you can state your reason, then I would gladly assist in convincing the board members because they voted for him already." Gregory West, Liam’s eldest uncle, cut into our conversation as he rushed into the elevator with us. "Good morning, ma'am", he added with a mocking smirk.

This elderly man held the most hatred for me, and he always had something he was planning underneath his sleeves.

If not because he has little to three percent of the company's share and he is my assistant executive officer, I would have fired him.

"Good morning, Mr Gregory," Stella and I murmured at the same time.

"Did you condemn Golden Hall for personal reasons? Do you know him? You need to know how to separate personal issues and business cases. As an uncle, you do not mind if I speak with you casually, right?" Gregory West raised his eyebrows in a query.

"Even as you have stated, you have no right to advise me, Mr Gregory." I snapped, trying to control my anger.

He irritates me.

"Then reconsider. You can't just make decisions that would risk the company. Golden Hall is better in this situation. I don't think you want a situation where the board members are in chaos," He smirked, caressing his beard before walking out of the elevator.

I wasn't ready to meet my ex-husband. And now that Gregory knows I hate to see that particular person even though he does not know who he is to me, he will do anything to use that against me.

I sighed in distress. I hope this is the moment to prove them wrong. "Invite them over," I permitted.

"They are presently in the meeting room". Stella smiled widely.

"What?! Why so fast?" I stuttered, and my face turned pale.

"They are more determined than ever. What happened to your face, ma'am? It's suddenly sweaty" She said, voice laced with concern.

I gulped and clumsily wiped the sweat from my forehead.

Over the years, I had trained my mind to cover up my feelings, and that is what I would be doing now.

I shook my head, and walked into the meeting room, straight to my seat.

My heart is beating so fast.

"Good morning, Mrs West. I have heard so much about your achievements in a year, and I can't wait to work with you. I am glad to meet you in person." Ashton showered compliments in his baritone voice.

That voice, I hate to admit, sends a shiver down my spine. "Of course, you will be glad," I rolled my eyes and raised my head.

I watched the broad smile on his face get replaced by a terrified one.

He looked like someone who had seen a ghost as he carelessly staggered among the arranged chairs. His assistant rushed to help him dust his suit and murmured an apology in embarrassment. "He had always looked forward to the partnership meeting. He is probably shocked to be here," Ashton's assistant explained.

"It doesn't look like that is the reason," Mr Gregory West strolled inside the meeting room with a corny smirk lingering on his lips.

Does this man know how disgusting that looks on his ugly face?

"Your behavior isn't impressive, Mr. Ashton", I spat. "This is unprofessional enough for me to decline your proposal."

"Surely, this can't be the same person I saw in the picture. I thought it was her look-alike. So…it's truly you?" His voice trembled as he spoke, his eyes on Gregory West who quickly blinked his eyes for Ashton to look away.

"Yes it's me, and I did not even change my name. Now, let's get back to business…" I waved him off.

“We need to talk,” He stood up, looking at me straight in the eyes.

"Your proposal for a partnership is dismissed. You condoned a situation where I had to be humiliated. Out. Of. My. Sight. Mr Ashton!" I angrily banged my hand on the conference table.

I was scared, I hate this so much.

He should leave already.

"I saw a leaked picture of you as the new C.E.O of the West but I disagreed. What happened to you? Who..who are you?" Ashton asked, making me grossed out at his audacity.

"Who are you to him, ma'am?" Gregory chipped in.

My secretary was smart enough to call the company's securities.

They rushed to drag Ashton away from my sight.

They struggled to get him out because of his muscular strength and I was sweating terribly as my hand shivered.

I was fighting hard not to be swallowed by my dark past. I forced myself into the executive chair when I heard that devilish groan of my enemy, "It's quite interesting, isn't it?"

It was all Gregory West's plan. “You took a picture of me and gave it to him without asking for my permission?” I gritted my teeth, trying my best not to scream.

“Yes, because I found out that he is my long-lost sibling, and he told me that you look like someone who once worked for him. What did you do to him?” Gregory’s eyebrows creased in confusion.

"Does Granny West and the others know about him?"

"No," He snapped.

"You need to stop whatever it is that is on your mind" I warned. "He is your late brother's step-son, but he still refused to call you Uncle because he thinks I don't know..." I smirked, feeling deeply sad.

“Anyways, you made a mistake by chasing him out. The only option he has now is to announce to the world that he is the son of the dead James West. I did not even lift a finger and things are going very well, but guess what? I will support him until he takes his rights. It's better to have him in that position than a woman who once worked at a bar.” A wicked smile spread across his face.

That bastard ex of mine told him that I worked in a bar?

It's a relief that he hides the fact that I was once married to him.

The game had just begun.