Chapter 3

AMELIA'S POV 

I couldn’t help but glance at Ethan first. His eyes were wide, shock etched across his face as he stared at me. I tore my gaze away, letting out a soft sigh. 

“Anyway, I’m just thinking about selling the shares. I haven’t started the process yet. Perhaps there’s a way you can change my mind?” Victoria Caldwell’s eyes never left mine.

 “You speak like you already have something in mind. Just tell us,” she said, her tone steady but probing. I straightened, meeting her gaze. 

“I want an office. No need for a secretary. I already have one. I want to be involved in everything concerning the company, and I want to be introduced as one of the directors. 

I’ll be spending a lot of time in New York, so I’ll need a place to occupy my time until I return to Georgia. By the time I leave, I’ll decide whether to sell the shares or not. ” 

Victoria’s lips curved into a smile, and I mirrored it, a quiet acknowledgment passing between us.

“That’s not an unreasonable request. What do you think, Ethan?” Edward Johnson asked, drawing everyone’s attention to him.

Ethan blinked, still processing. “Yeah, yeah, it’s okay,” he said, his voice distant, like he wasn’t fully aware of what he was agreeing to.

“Ethan,” Victoria said, her tone sharper now.

“It’s alright, Mother,” he replied, snapping out of his daze.

 “It’s better than having her sell the shares to Julian Pierce.”

I stood, slipping my sunglasses back on. 

“Since it’s settled, let me know when my office is ready.” I picked up my handbag and offered a polite smile to the room.

 “It was nice meeting all of you.” My bodyguard opened the door, and I walked out, Lucas Bennett, my assistant, trailing behind me, along with someone else.

“Amelia,” Ethan’s voice called out in the hallway. I stopped, nodding to Lucas and my bodyguard.

 They glanced at Ethan before walking away, giving us space. I took a deep breath, turned to face him, and removed my sunglasses. “Yes, Mr. Caldwell?”He raised an eyebrow. 

“Really? Mr. Caldwell, is that so?”I sighed again, unsure of what to say. 

We stood there, staring at each other for what felt like an eternity two minutes of silence heavy with unspoken words. 

Finally, he spoke, his voice laced with pain. 

“You left. You left before I woke up. I thought something had happened to you. I waited, even though a part of me screamed that you’d abandoned me. I searched for you, and all this time, you were in Georgia?” His eyes reflected a raw hurt I couldn’t bear to meet.

He looked me up and down, shaking his head. “I almost didn’t recognize you. Was this why you left? Because you thought I had nothing left to offer, so you ran off and married a man old enough to be your father?”

“Ethan…” I started, but he cut me off.

“So you do remember my name. I thought it was Mr. Caldwell.”

“We need to talk,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Really? If I hadn’t chased after you, would you have even thought we needed to talk? Nine years, Amelia. I’ve been waiting for you for nine years, and you come back married?” 

His voice cracked with disbelief. 

“Married to a sixty-five-year-old man? Really, Amelia, all for money? Are you really that kind of woman?”

“Don’t talk to me like that!” I snapped, my eyes blazing. Ethan scoffed, dragging his hands down his face as he paced the hallway. 

“Money. That’s what it was all about, right? You thought I couldn’t give it to you anymore, so you left and latched onto the next rich man you could find. You didn’t even care about his age. Amelia, you married a sixty-five-year-old man! All for money!” His voice rose, echoing in the quiet hall.

 “How could you? Every day, I told myself there had to be a reason you left. Every day, I told myself you’d come back. And you did after nine years, as a widow to a man old enough to be your grandfather!”

I stood there, silent. His words cut deep, but I’d learned how to hide my pain over the years. I’d grown tougher, stronger, better at masking my emotions. Let him be angry, I thought.

 It was our first meeting in nine years. He’d cool off eventually, and I’d get my chance to explain.

“Mrs. Harper,” he spat, the name dripping with disgust. He nodded slowly, as if coming to terms with something. 

“Fine. I look forward to working with you, Mrs. Harper. And if you’re interested, I know plenty of rich old men looking for a young wife like you. Your kind is insatiable when it comes to money, so let me know when you need another match.” 

His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he turned and walked away.I watched him until he disappeared down the hall. 

A deep sigh escaped me, and I blinked rapidly to keep the tears at bay. I’d let him have his anger for now. In time, he’d understand or at least, I hoped he would. I slipped my sunglasses back on and strode toward the elevator, my heels clicking against the polished floor.

At the reception, I tried not to think about the embarrassment I’d faced on my first visit here years ago. The woman behind the desk wasn’t the same one I’d met back then she no longer worked here, it seemed.

 I exhaled through my mouth and left the building. Outside, Lucas was waiting. He opened the door of the white limo, and I slid inside, with him following. The driver started the car, and as we pulled away, my eyes stayed fixed on the building fading in the distance.

“Is that the end, ma’am?” Lucas asked.I kept my gaze on the vanishing structure.

 “No, Lucas,” I said softly. “This is just the beginning. We’ve conquered phase one. It’s time for phase two.”

“And what about Mr. Caldwell? There’s something about him…”I turned to face him, removing my sunglasses once more.

 “Don’t worry about him,” I said, my voice firm. “Let me handle him,”Lucas nodded. 

“Yes, ma’am.” I smiled. I was back in New York, the city that had given me so much and taken just as much in return. But I wasn’t that weak, timid teenage girl anymore. Now, I was a boss, with men vying for my favor. I wielded power, and I knew exactly how to use it. They’d see soon enough I was just getting started.