Chapter Five.

The First Blow

Damian's POV

“Damian, have you taken a look at the investors list to see the latest shareholder report?” Carter’s voice vibrated with so much urgency, and I know it wasn't the ordinary one. I could see all the disbelief in his face as he leaned over my desk.

I froze, as I await whatever news he was to bring. The coffee in my hand almost spilling. “What… what exactly are you talking about?” I asked, already scared of the answer that would follow.

He tapped the screen twice. “Isabella Adeniran is the one. She… she’s finally climbed the business ladder and had acquired twenty percent of Cole Enterprises. But she didn't do it alone, it's through the help of foreign investors. No one saw any of this coming. The board as we speak right now is in chaos.”

I felt my stomach twist as I couldn't comprehend what he was saying. My pulse jumped to a high beat. “Isabella of all people? How...why…how did she achieve that? That’s really impossible.”

Carter shook his head, completely confused as I am, his eyes wide from explaining without details. “It’s real, Damian. Everything is legal, and well documented. She’s nothing like the fragile woman Selene used you to humiliate years ago. As we speak right now, she's the major threat...a threat to many business deals now."

I ran a frustrated hand through my hair. I was unable to contain my anger. My rage boiling like water that I feared I might burst.  “She's a threat?” I muttered. “She’s… she’s extremely brilliant. And right now… now she’s back, and very dangerous.”

And yes, am I jealous? I am very jealous too. My chest tightened as my mind flashed back to her entrance at the gala when she first returned. The way she looked so stunning in her dress, turning heads in the ballroom.

The way she effortlessly commanded respect, doing nothing special to attract it. The way she radiated with so much fire and authority. She wasn't mine any longer. Neither do I have any access to her. She has gotten to the point that she can strike and get anything she wants.

I stormed into the boardroom, and the moment I entered, all eyes turned to me, but I ignored all the stares like that don't matter, and of course, none of that matters to me. At one end, Selene was sitting with a smug look. She was sitting there with the thought that she's safe, but no, she doesn't know what is coming after her.

“Selene,” I snapped out of anger, my voice not friendly at all, lacking control. "Do by any chance, have any idea of what is happening right with control I barely contained. “Do you have any idea what’s happening?”

She glanced up, feigning complete innocence. “Excuse me?” Her tone sweet venom, like she has no idea what I'm talking about. “I haven’t done anything wrong that I can remember, Damian. What exactly are you implying?”

I slammed my hand in frustration on the table. “Don’t you dare play with me. You think this is one of your foolish game? Isabella isn't here to play. She has successfully brought foreign investors into my company, buying bigger shares than intended to be sold. She's here to occupy and take over everything, and you are completely blind to see it. "

Selene’s smirk suddenly disappeared, replaced by something different that I haven't seen. It was more like she's suddenly scare. "Did you just say Isabella? That can't be happening."

“Oh, it’s already happening now,” I growled. “And she’s not just here to take over. She's very meticulous, strategic in her take over. And to handle that, she's slowly dismantling us in piece. You, me, the little pathetic scheme that you involved me in. They are all under her control right now.”

I saw her eyes widen, as she was trying to recover from the shock. As I was still speaking with her, Carter then nudged me to get my attention. "Damian..this is not all. Selene here is planning something dubious. She's planning to pin a fake pregnancy on you, to tie you down with it."

I felt my chest tighten on hearing that. I couldn't believe my ears, that she was so desperate to take over completely that she opted to using such dubious truck.  What will she gain for manipulating me to that extent? Isn't it enough that she orchestrated my divorce with Isabella?

I turned to fully face Selene. “So you’re faking it, you are not pregnant as you claimed?"

She recoiled, startled at how Carter was able to find out. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t act surprised, drop the act already,” I said between gritted teeth. “You took me for a fool that I will fall for your trick all over again without making my investigation?"

Before she could think of denying it, Carter stepped forward, and handed me a file. “We have concrete evidence backing up everything, Damian. Proof that all the tests she presented were all falsified. Everything; starting from the doctor’s notes, to the numerous lab reports, even forged emails.”

I quickly scanned the documents, carefully taking notes of everything written down there. "You dared lie to me again? You tried to carry out your manipulation again? To destroy your sister as she had done before? You didn't get it right this time, as Isabella isn't one to play a foul okay with. Her come back isn't to kid around, but to revenge your claims on her."

The boardroom remained silent, with no one making any attempt to speak. I knew they all had a lot to say, but the fear of Isabella made them to keep shut. And I knew Isabella didn't just come to fight her half-sister, Selene. She was here to reclaim all that had been taken from her forcefully. But one thing bothered me; will I be spared in her fight? Will she spare me because of old good days? Or will she start her revenge from me?