Enemies Wear Smile

SOME THREAT'S ANNOUNCE THEMSELVES. OTHERS ARRIVE DRESSED AS HELP;

Outside, the night air feels cool against my skin.

Evan opens the door silently and the car pulls away, I finally exhale.

“You ended it,” Evan said.

“Yes,” I reply. “Exactly how it needed to end.”

My phone buzz.

MARCUS: What did you just do?

I didn't reply. 

Once, I had begged for that woman's approval. Tonight, I have taken away her peace.

My phone buzz again.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: You didn't just refuse them. You humiliated them. 

I type back calmly.

ME: Some houses deserves cracks.

I turn off my phone. Tomorrow, consequences would arrive but tonight - I have rewrite a memory that once destroy me.

…..

The next morning after the Blackwood's dinner, New York wakes up like nothing happened. But I know better, power never forget an insult.

I stand in front of the mirror, dress in black - this time, simpler, sharper. No drama. Just control. The reflection staring back at me is calm, but my mind is already working.

In my last life, this is the point where trouble had begun quietly.

This time, I am ready.

…

Carter Holdings is already busy when I arrive.

Executives greets me with polite bows, but something feels off.

Whispers stop when I walk past. Eyes stays one step behind me, alert.

“Someone is stirring fear,” Evan said.

I nod. “Let them.”

I walk into the boardroom. Every seat is full… Too full. Faces I didn't recognize seat among my usual executives.

One man stands up, smiling. “Mrs Carter, allow me to introduce our new advisory patners.”

I didn't sit.

I look at them slowly.

“Who approved this?” I ask, as the room went silent.

The man clears his throat. “The investment committee -”

“There is no investment committee,” I said calmly. “There is only my signature.”

The man freeze. 

I turn to my executives. “Who brought them?”

No one answer.

That is enough answer.

I walk to the head of the table and finally sit.

“Gentlemen,” I said softly to the strangers, “ you were invited by someone who doesn't own this building.”

One of them smile thinly. “We were told you'd be… flexible.”

I smile back. “ You were lied to.” 

I look at the man who speak first. “Excort them out.”

The guards move immediately. One of the strangers lean close as he pass me. “You made enemies last night.”

I said quietly. “You made me remember.”

After the meeting, I call Evan to my office.

“They're testing me,” I said. “Soft pressure. Confusion. Fear.”

“Who?” He ask.

I look out the window. “ Marcus. His mother. And whosoever fund their pride.”

I pick my phone.

No messages from Marcus today... This is worse than anger, this means strategy.

*****

The restaurant is small and intimate. The decor is rustic: random chairs and table with purple tablecloths and red roses in a vase at the center of the table.

Judy stirrs her drink slowly and Marcus sit across from her, jaw tight.

“She embarrassed my family,” he said.

Judy smile gently “ Then you shouldn't relax attack her directly.” 

Marcus looks at her. “What do you suggest?”

“Make her doubt herself. Make others doubt her. Let her fall without knowing who pushed.”

Marcus exhale. “Mother wants blood.”

Judy eyes darkens. “ Not until we've taken everything from Amanda, then we'll make her beg for us to take her life “ she rubs Marcus hand. “ And then we can finally be together.”

…

Trouble arrives wearing a suit.

A woman introduce himself as Lillian hart, a “risk consultant.”

She speaks calmly. Too calmly. “Several of your overseas patners are concerned,” she said. “They fear instability under your leadership.”

I study her. “Who told you that?”

Lillian smile. “Rumors do have a way of going into ones ears.”

I stand up. “So do lies.”

Lillian smile didn't move. “I'd advise you to step back before the board forces you to.”

I lean in. “There's no board.”

Lillian eyes flicker - just once then she leaves.

Evan speaks softly, “she wasn't here to advise.”

“She was here to threaten,” I said “ And to measure how afraid I am.”

The next morning, I announce a sudden audit. Every contract. Every patner. Every account.

Executives panicks. Some resign. Some beg.

By evening, I have names. One lead back to a shell company. That shell company is led back to a foundation that belongs to - Mrs Blackwood.

I laugh softly. “So that how you want to fight.”

I step out of the elevator alone into the dim parking level of the building.

The meeting with the board has drain the air from my lungs, but my face remains as calm as ever. My heels echoes across the concrete floor as I walk toward the car to wait for Evan.

Half there - I stop.

A voice carries through the quiet space. A man. Low. Angry.

I instinctively move behind one of the concrete pillars, my movements slow and silent.

The man stands several meters away, his back turn pacing while speaking on the phone.

“You think am joking?” He snaps.

My eyes narrow slightly.

The name that follows makes my breath still.

“Tell Helena this is the last warning.”

Helena Blackwood? Marcus mother.

I lean closer to the pillar listening carefully.

“If she doesn't send my monthly payments by tomorrow,” the man continues harshly, “ I'll expose everything.”

He pause.

My fingers tightens around my purse.

“Not just to her husband,” the man add. A cold laugh escapes him. “I'll tell her public too.”

My heartbeat slow. And then - The words that follows freeze me in pieces.

“And Marcus.” He lower his voice. “Let's see how the great Marcus Blackwood reacts when he finds out the truth… that he isn't even a Blackwood, that am his father.”

The man hangs up the phone and begin walking towards the exit.

I stay hidden until his footsteps fade. 

The parking lot falls silent again. Slowly, I step out of the pillar, my mind racing now.

Marcus? Not a blackwood? My gaze darkens as the pieces begins rearranging themselves inside my head.

Helena Blackwood actually made everyone believe Arthur blackwood is his father.

I let out a quiet breath then a faint smile appear on my lips.

“So that's the truth… “

But before I can think further, my phone vibrates suddenly in my hand.

The caller ID lit up the screen: Marcus Blackwood.

I stare at the name for a moment, then I answer.

His voice comes through the line, calm and unreachable.

“Amanda.”

I said nothing then he speaks again. 

“You are still in the parking garage, aren't you?”

My smile slowly fade, my eyes lifts. Across the dim parking lot - A pair of headlights suddenly switches on. 

Someone has been there the whole time watching me.