Chapter 1

Emma's Pov 

The judge's gravel struck the wooden desk.

“With immediate effect, Hayes industries is declared bankrupt and should be shut down immediately.”

The words echoed through the silent courtroom like a death sentence, I couldn't breathe.

My fingers refused to stop shaking, I had never been so devastated, I held the tip of my linen shirt, tightening my grip anytime I got nervous.

No, this couldn't be happening, I turned to my father, he bowed his head and a tear dropped from his eyes.

The same man I knew all my life, who always had his head high up, now bowing in frustration, my heart shattered.

“Dad,” I called out to him.

“Yes daughter,” he saw the look and tears on my face, then he smiled, wiping my tears.“It's all going to be okay, my dear, everything will be okay,”

 Those words were supposed to make me feel better, but it just broke me the most.

Even his voice saying those words were weighed down by sadness, I am sure even he did not believe his own words, so how was I supposed to believe him?.

But how did all this even happen?.

Three months ago we were leading in the construction industry, we had contracts here and there, and lots of unfinished projects, so what went wrong?, where did all the debts come from? and who sabotaged our projects?. 

I saw my father try his best to save the company, he sold properties, borrowed loans, all sorts of things yet it just kept getting worse, until today when we finally lost everything.

Outside the courthouse, the chaos was even worse.

“Mr Hayes!"

“What caused your company's bankruptcy?”

“Did the Carter group force your company to collapse?” 

“How much debt do you owe?”

A microphone hit my dads nose and it bled out blood.

“Dad” I shouted as he covered his nose with his hand, careful dad I said to him.

My mum was just crying, I left my dad and went to be with my mum, wrapped an arm around her, and told her to calm down.

She kept crying silently as we walked slowly amidst the reporters to our car.

Dad said nothing, just covering his nose with a handkerchief to stop the bleeding.

We finally reached our black SUV, we thought we could finally leave, not until three men in dark suits approached us.

One brought out a document and showed it to us.

Mr Hayes, were here on behalf of the Federal Commercial Bank, he handed dad the documents.

The bank has decided to seize all the properties you used as collateral for your loan, until you are able to pay it back and that includes your cars and your house.

I felt blood drain from my face, “this has to be a mistake.

“Dad, what's going on?" I asked my dad.

I am afraid it isn't ,replied the man. 

You have just a week to move out of the house but the car will be taken from here. 

I looked at my dad, and for the first time in twenty four years, my father looked like a man that had lost his will to fight.

He handed the keys to them and stopped a taxi, we all got in and the taxi took us home.

That evening, the mansion felt empty, several maids quietly packed their stuff and left, some cried before leaving.

One maid who had been with my mum for over 20 years, pleaded with my mum to keep her, so she was the only maid left. 

I walked into my father's study, stacks of unpaid bills, court notices and debt reminders covered his desk. 

My dad was sitting in his chair looking out through the window.

“Dad,” I called out to him, but he didn't answer. 

My mother gently placed a hand on my shoulders, “leave him,” she said to me.

We both walked out.

“You must be hungry.”

“Anna,” she called out to the maid.

“Can you please make something for dinner?” 

“I would have loved to ma, but there isn't any food stuff at home again, it seems like some of the maids stole food stuff before running away.”

I looked at my mother and I saw the look on her face changed, “don't worry mum I am not even hungry,” I told her.

“Even If you're not hungry, what about later, what about your dad,” she faced Anna.

Please we'll make do with whatever is left, so just go make something for us. 

Ann left into the kitchen.

My eyes grew heavy with tears, mum I'll be in my room, I said to her, alright dr I'll call you when dinner is ready. 

I closed the door to my room behind me and sat on the floor, finally bursting into tears. I had been holding them back since we were at court so as not to break my parents heart, but now in my room, the tears flew freely down my cheeks.

“Why us?” I exclaimed, asking no one in particular.

“Why did this have to happen to my parents, they have never hurt anyone so why would anyone wish us bad luck?”

While still crying my phone rang.

I stood and walked over to my bed, picking up my phone and answering the call.

“Hello?”

“Good evening Miss Emma Hayes.”

The man's voice was calm and professional.

“Who am I speaking with?” I asked the voice.

“My employer wishes to meet with you,” the voice answered.

“I'm sorry but it seems you've called the wrong number,” I replied about dropping the call.

“Wait, he said, you should hear the offer first.”

“I am not in need of any offer, thanks” I replied. 

“What if I told you it was one huge enough to clear half the debt your parents owed.”

“What, who is your employer and why does he want from me?” I asked.

There was a huge silence, “my employer is Logan Carter, as for what he needs from you, he'll be the one to tell you that.”

“Logan Carter?” I repeated.

What would the heir to the Logan group want from me to offer such a huge amount, why would a rival of my family want to help us out or was this a way of humiliating my family.

The voice spoke again, Mr Carter is waiting for your reply. 

The last person I had ever expected to help had reached out to me.

A lot of things ran through my mind. 

Should I take his help and solve half of my family's problems or hold onto my dignity?