CHAPTER 11: THE BAIT.

In fact, I'm coming for all of those who caused me pain.

My fist clenched tightly around my dress.

"Emma Armstrong, you just be ready... I will claim all that you have stolen from me!"

°°°°°

Later that day, my phone buzzed with a call from Cleo, and just as expected, she was in the meeting with Emma.

Immediately, I swiped the answer button. Emma's voice was the first to reach my ear.

"How dare you... come to me with such a proposal?" Her voice rang, hot and spicy, just as it should be.

"Ma'am, calm..." My secretary tried to pacify her, but Emma's voice kept outsmarting her.

I couldn't imagine the scenario Cleo must be in right now.

She had boarded a three-hour flight from Mexico to LA just to meet this woman?

"Calm down, Miss Emma Armstrong," I said through the phone speaker.

I felt her breath hitch... then silence. It almost felt as if she recognized my voice, but just when I thought she did, her voice cut through the silence.

"So, you're the Mexican who wants to buy my share of the Armstrong company?" she questioned.

A sigh of relief escaped me.

Thank goodness she didn't recognize my voice. Well, spending the last seven years in Mexico had really changed my tone and voice.

"Aren't you there?" she retorted.

"Yes, Miss... I've got businesses all over the world except for LA, and the company that caught my attention was the Armstrong company, but I wasn't given a chance to work with you guys..." I halted and took a deep breath before continuing.

"If you can give me half of what you own, I..."

"Ain't giving you any shit!" she hissed.

"Go work with someone else..."

"The Adams E. Company is ready to pay whatever you request."

She barely let me finish my words before her voice rose to its highest pitch.

"Did you just say the Adams E. Company?" she asked.

"Yes, Miss," I replied.

"Oh my God! I didn't know it was you... Oh my, I... I..." she stuttered excitedly. I could literally feel her shaking right now.

Who wouldn't? The Adams E. Company had traveled far beyond the five biggest continents in the world.

The world knows the name, but no one knows the person behind that name.

"I am so honored to be able to talk directly with you," she gushed.

A dark but interesting smile embraced my lips.

Honored, huh?

Very soon, you will lose that honor when you discover who is behind this voice.

"Thank you, dear," I replied, hissing the last word.

"Back to our main topic, are you willing to help us work with the Armstrongs?"

She barely let me finish before rushing into her answer.

"Ye... ye... yes, I'm willing to sell my own share. After all, I still have Elena, my late sister's share."

My stomach turned the moment she mentioned my name.

"So, I had a share I didn't know existed?" I whispered before I could stop myself.

"Huh?" she questioned.

I bit my lips hard. One wrong move and my plan fails.

"Nothing, dear. I was referring to something else," I replied, praying she would fall for it, and fortunately, she did.

After a brief moment, we went into the main bargain.

I didn't even let her mention her price before going far beyond the price she wanted.

"I will pay half a billion dollars," I stated.

"What?" Her voice dropped. I could literally feel her eyes almost buzzing out in surprise.

"Ma'am, don't you think that's too much?" my secretary whispered in shock.

"Actually... forget that."

I paused deliberately.

"I'll make it a billion."

"A... a billion dollars?" she stammered.

"Yes. For all the shares in your possession," I said.

I could almost hear the excitement in her voice.

"I'll... I'll sell them," she replied without a second thought.

She had no idea she was accepting the bait.

A satisfied smile spread across my lips.

"I love great minds like yours. I think we can work together," I complimented her.

I could picture her beaming from ear to ear.

"Thank you... and I hope to work more with you."

"Then, I leave you with my secretary. She knows what to do next."

"And oh, before I forget, I heard you're getting married to Marcus Ethan. I will send in gifts."

"I hope you will like them," I added. I didn't wait for her reply before hanging up. This would leave her in total suspense.

"Don't you think a billion dollars is too much for just twenty percent of the shares?" I heard a voice behind me.

The hair on my body stood on end.

I turned swiftly to find Mrs. Adams leaning against the door.

My lips instantly turned into a cute pout.

"Mom, you scared me!"

"Don't change the topic. Don't you think that amount is too much considering that..." She squeezed her face like someone who had just seen something gross.

I chuckled softly.

"Come on, don't give me that look. You know what I mean."

"I know, but it's kind of helpful to my plans."

"But I insist that it's too much."

"Don't worry. I just killed two birds with one stone."

Her forehead wrinkled into a confused frown.

"Don't worry. In two days, you will find out what I mean." I tapped her shoulder.

Just that moment, my phone buzzed with a message from Cleo.

"The transaction is done."

I smiled.

°°°°°

Two days later...

A fancy hall, a well-decorated aisle with a priest dressed in a white garment standing above.

Perfectly covered chairs and tables.

Guests trooping in and out.

Flashes of cameras, curious faces of journalists fighting for their views and stories... Today, they're going to be fed like never before.

They all brightened the wedding of Ethan and Emma.

I sat right in front of my big screen, my finger circling the rim of my wine glass as I watched excitedly.

This is going to be fun.

In less than five minutes, the arrival of the groom was announced.

My breath froze the moment the cameras turned to Ethan.

His face was firm and clean like that of an angel, his shoulders broad as before.

He was dressed in a sleek black suit that fit him perfectly.

He was walking all fine, unlike the day we got married.

A bitter smile curled up on my lips.

Then, some minutes later, the bride's arrival was announced.

My heart dropped when I saw the admiration in Ethan's eyes as the veiled Emma walked in with Dad.

I shouldn't be feeling this way. I hate this feeling... They should be the ones feeling hurt, not me.

Then Mom followed behind, her face covered with a proud smile.

My chest burned as I watched them.

She didn't show up while I was getting married to Ethan. I wanted to see that smile too...

"Oh, what am I saying? Come off it, Elena," I whispered to myself.

But it wasn't enough. My chest hurt just by watching them.

I think I need some fresh air.

I stood and walked out.

By the time I returned, the blessings of the ceremony had already begun, and now it was almost my favorite part.

I slowly sat down to watch as I anticipated the real show.

"Emma Armstrong, do you take Marcus Ethan as your lawfully wedded husband, in good health and in bad health, in poverty and in riches?" the priest asked.

Emma didn't hesitate before answering.

"Yes, I do."

The crowd erupted into applause.

The priest then turned to Ethan.

"Marcus Ethan, do you take Emma Armstrong as your lawfully wedded wife, in..."

"Yes, I do," he cut the priest off impatiently.

Good work, Ethan. This is the part I've been anticipating.

The priest then shifted his gaze to the crowd.

"Is there anyone who doesn't want the union of this lovely couple?" he asked.

Then silence descended like a dove. Eyes moved around, looking for anyone who would dare to say the words.

My fingers intertwined as I counted from one to ten.

"One."

"Two..."

"Three, four..."

On my fifth count, the door burst open.

"I OBJECT TO THIS UNION!"