Bound by Fate and Fortune

Seraphina "You're our only chance, Sera!" Mom couldn't keep herself from worrying about the future of our family. She worried a lot, and I didn't know how to comfort her anymore. She said the company was a gift from her late father, and she couldn't afford to lose it. "Mom, I got this! So please stop worrying now, okay?" I said as I was preparing for the board meeting. "I know, Sera. I know." But the worry on her face was still evident. Even though I was unsure if I could manage it, I would stop at nothing after everything that happened to reclaim what was ours. I didn't care how many insults I would receive from the investors anymore. Mom trusted me about the fate of our company, and I must do everything to keep it. "Ma'am, the board meeting starts in five minutes." My assistant Camille whispered in my ear. "Then, let's not keep them waiting," I replied while putting on lipstick. I kissed my Mom on her cheek and started clutching up a folder of documents. "Let's go?" Camille just gave me a silent nod. It felt suffocating as I entered our company building, Villareal Enterprises. It seemed that with every step I took, many eyes followed me. I heard a lot of them whispering when I passed over them. She should've stayed gone. The Villareals are finished. We deserve someone who knows how to lead. I was about to slap one of the employees when I remembered I needed to be kind to gain their trust. "You have a nice hair." I praised her instead of slapping her on the face. "What's your name?" "Brenda." "Cool name," I said. Another lie. I didn't expect that people here needed discipline and morals. I couldn't imagine my father has left me this company with these idiots. I need to ignore them for now. There should be a perfect time to deal with them later. Yes, that's right! I had to ignore them. I had to fight back to claw my way back from ruin. I had to let my fear rule me—at least for now. Inside the boardroom, their eyes were on me. Boredom and skepticism were evident on their faces. They all sat at a long table. Twelve men in tailored suits. In the head seat was Lorenzo Cruz. He was my father's business partner. The man who had led the betrayal that destroyed my father's company and his reputation. I met his gaze head-on. "You have three minutes, Miss Villareal," he said; he seemed planning to insult me in front of other investors. No way! That won't happen today. No! "Three minutes? May I ask for at least fifteen minutes?" I asked. Other investors just gave me a silent nod. "Ten minutes, Miss Villareal!" Lorenzo spoke again. "Alright, ten minutes." I approved. "Now, how can you convince us why we should invest in a sinking ship, Miss Villareal?" The man beside Lorenzo asked. It was Mr. Rosales. I knew he was his friend. I knew that they were working together for other investors to pull out. A weak woman would have faltered. But not me. And I had to prove it. First, I smiled at them. I tried my best to sketch a fake smile. "You seem to forget, Mr. Rosales," I said smoothly, setting my folder on the table, "that a sinking ship only needs the right captain to rise again." Silence. I flipped open my folder, revealing all my plans that could change everything in my father's company. Or so I thought. I presented the products and services we would add for the company's betterment and how to gain people's trust again, especially the customers and buyers. After my presentation, they were all clapping. I thought it was already the beginning for me to gain their trust and invest in the company. But this Lorenzo was indeed a pain in the ass. "Bravo! An impressive presentation, Miss Villareal," he said slowly while prolonging the vowel sound. He was insulting my presentation. His fingers were tapping lazily on the mahogany table. "You wanted to say something?" I seemed to get a heart attack with this man. I wondered why my dad stayed with this b***h for how many years. He shouldn't have trusted this man even before. He didn't say a word for seconds; my fingers curled into fists beneath the table. I waited for his reply, and I looked into his eyes head-on. "I think you misunderstand, Miss Villareal. It's not your plan that concerns us." He finally said his reply. Mr. Rosales added to support his argument, "We’ve seen countless proposals from struggling businesses claiming they can rise again. But talk is cheap." He folded his hands together. “We don’t care about your business plan. We care about security.” I almost cried. But I had to fight this humiliation. I had to swallow my pride to rebuild our family business. Another man nodded. "If you truly want our investment and rebuild this company again, there’s only one way to prove your credibility." Lorenzo’s smirk widened. "That is, if you can convince the Aldrich family to back your company, you’ll have our full support. Deal?" The Aldrich family? The mere mention of their name was enough for fear to enter my system. Who could convince this one of the country's most influential and wealthiest families? They were powerful enough to make or break entire industries with a single decision. My heart was racing, but I had to act normal. Lorenzo was setting me up to fail, and I couldn't afford it. Camille's anxious gaze was evident. I met Lorenzo's gaze, proving he couldn't break a woman like me. My lips curved into a smirk that mirrored Lorenzo's. "Is that all?" I asked naturally, hiding my fear. Lorenzo's eyes narrowed. Expecting refusal, huh? I couldn't give him what he wanted. Not this time. I had to be a good captain of this sinking ship. I had to look strong before them until I got what I wanted for this company. "Very well," I said, deliberately closing my folder. "I’ll secure the Aldrich family’s backing." The boardroom fell silent. They all thought that it was impossible. Well, they were mistaken. Getting the Aldrich family's backing might be difficult, but it didn't mean it was impossible. I held Lorenzo's gaze as I rose from my chair. "I look forward to seeing you again in our company when I succeed." I turned on my heel and strode out of the boardroom, Camille hurrying after me. The moment we stepped into the hallway and out from those monsters inside the boardroom, Camille whispered urgently, "Sera, Ma'am, I mean, the Aldrich family? Are you sure about this? They—" "I know," I interrupted her immediately. I didn't want negativities to enter my brain. Not now. I heaved a deep sigh, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "They’re untouchable." Camille hesitated. "And?" Though Camille was my best friend outside work, I sometimes got annoyed with her questions. There were times that I wanted to punch her to stop asking questions. "Then I’ll just have to find a way to touch them." How was I supposed to gain the Aldriches' favor when I had nothing to offer them? Money? They sure had more than enough. Power? They had control over all the industries in the country. Influence? They dictated the very circles I was struggling to re-enter. I didn't know exactly what to do. Approaching the Aldriches felt like walking straight into the lion’s den. Doubt crept into my mind. Had I just dug my grave by accepting Lorenzo’s challenge? No. There had to be another way, shaking off the uncertainty. There had to be.