3. THE BOARD

A bitter throaty chuckle escaped my lips and I carefully shut the bedroom door behind me.

Levi stood holding the tab to my face, grandfather's words resounded in my head and my heart ached more just imagining how much disappointment and pain I had caused him within five years.

The same pain he just professionally hid behind sweet words of encouragement.

"Let's go..." I said walking away, Ermund and Levi followed behind, their steps a reminder of the life I had finally accepted.

The elevator doors opened and I stepped out without the slightest hesitation, my black heels striking the marble floor with sheer power and confidence.

The air changed, employees stopped mid-conversation while some recognized me immediately, others only knew the photos hanging in executive hallways barely touched.

Am back, stare as you want. This heiress isn't going anywhere anymore.

Levi walked behind me quietly but suddenly said "The board has been waiting for twelve minutes".

"They should" I replied calmly though my heart kept thudding against my ribs, five years of staying away, did my brain store the information on how a board meeting goes? The uncertainty settled deep within, but I pushed it away.

".... That's part of their duty" I said as the door to the conference room pulled open and the soft whispering from within died instantly.

Twelve executives sat around the long table, with three extra. Catherine sat at its head.

Every pair of eyes shifted towards me, their different gaze scrutinizing.

Then an elderly director cleared his throat several times before finally speaking up, "Miss Lancaster, with respect, you have been absent from the company for five years". He paused looking at his subordinate before looking back at me.

"Perhaps you can observe today's meeting since it's more appropriate before you can take any role offered to you".

"Aggressive already" I mouthed nodding, then I forced up the woman sitting close to Catherine taking her seat. "Begin" I said and the presentation began and a massive development project filled the screen.

Lancaster Group x White Technologies

Projected profit: $480 million

The lead executive smiled and stood beside the projection board. "Both companies will gain enormously. Providing an equal finance and construction system" he finished and they all clapped.

I just sat flicking and aiming a pen continuously. Then Catherine's hand stretched forward reaching for the contract. "We don't need to delay then" her pen touched the paper.

"Stop" I said and the room froze. Give me one reason why I should make it easy for Alex's company to gain so much because I don't plan to.

Catherine's eyes slowly lifted while I reached out, closing the contract and pulling it toward me.

"Kiera," she warned, gritting her teeth. "This decision has already been reviewed by the board" she added.

My eyes scanned the room and the people stared.

"Review doesn't mean approved, and approving needs the CEO's signature" I said. "Do I have to remind you that?"

Another director cleared his throat leaning forward.

"Miss Lancaster, cancelling the project will cost both companies millions" he said.

I stopped flicking the pen and dropped it on the table looking at the executive dead in the eye. "Who said I was canceling it?" I smiled. Alex you will wait just as I did every night waiting for you.

"I am suspending the project" I said and pushed the file away.

"What..." Everyone gasped and Catherine stood up. "We will lose millions Kiera, you don't suspend a completed deal just because you want to" she half-yelled and I looked up at her.

"First, it's Miss Lancaster" I said and I watched her glower. "Second, I can, because I'm the sole owner of this company" Then I turned to the rest. "You can leave if you object".

All heads turned, exchanging glances while Catherine watched desperately. No one said anything raising so I drew a line across the authorization page and closed it.

"Record it," I said. "Project suspended--- effective immediately"

For Lancaster Group, this was just a financial setback, not a loss. But I can't say the same for White Technologies...

Useless, aren't I Alex... I slammed my palm on the table standing up. "This meeting is over" I said and walked out. No words were spoken.

I sat in the car resting my head back. You brought this on yourself Alex, every betrayal comes with a consequence and I will gradually serve you yours still the world you created in my heart is covered.

"Where to Young madam" the driver asked and I only spared him a glance before looking out the window. He chooses rightly or loses his job?

"Boss, you will like to see this," Levi said from the front seat, handing me a tab. I took it and Alex's luxurious office came into display.

The same office I had frequented but now felt distant "What's this"

"You once asked us to place a hidden camera in Mr. White's office remember" he said and I nodded.

Alex sat on his chair spinning slightly, his tie loosened as his assistant walked into the office holding a tablet.

"Sir, Lancaster Group moved today's negotiation forward" he said, but Alex didn't look up from his laptop. He just kept typing silently. I zoomed in on his face and a broken smile split my face.

"You will be begging soon" I whispered, then on the screen he finally looked up.

"Till when"

"Indefinitely..." the assistant said and Alex's head snapped up, almost pitied his neck. "Are you okay sir?" the assistant asked.

"Do I look okay?What do you mean indefinitely?" he asked, running a hand through his face. "Has this happened before"

The assistant shook his head. "This is the first time," he said. Of course it is. "But I heard there's a new Miss Lancaster," he added.

Alex's shoulder was visibly tense, shoulders relaxed.

"That explains it" he said calmly, a smile appearing on his face. "Request a meeting with this Miss Lancaster" his hand rubbed his chin looking away.

With that look, he has probably been doing this hearing for long. Not only with Serena. I will like to watch you try. I thought and handed the tablet back to Levi.

I arrived at the café and quietly took a seat by the corner wrapping my hand around the cup.

The silence brought back the ache I carried along from Alex's mansion. Then I stood up, the weight of loss becoming too much.

My shoulders brushed someone and the cup slipped splashing its content on a black suit. I stilled as the liquid dripped down.

"I am sorry" I apologized, my voice distant, then reached into my bag pulling out a stack of cash placing it in his hand. "For cleaning" I walked away.

He stood still, dark hair, tall with broad shoulders.

"Aiden you are just letting her leave" I heard his friend say, but he responded with only one word. "Interesting".