Chapter 4: The Queen Returns
325 Words
The glass doors of the Divine Group’s global headquarters slid open with a whisper of perfection. Avery stepped into the lobby, her stride radiating a confidence that had been suppressed for three long years. Gone was the "rural girl" who shopped for groceries at a discount. In her place stood the sole heiress of the city’s most powerful empire.
The receptionist, a woman used to seeing the world’s most influential people, stood up immediately as Avery approached. "Welcome home, Ms. Avery. The Chairman and the board are already in the executive conference room awaiting your arrival".
"Thank you, Mary. Has the morning report on the subsidiary investments been prepared?" Avery asked, her voice cool and professional.
"Yes, ma'am. It’s on your desk".
As Avery rode the private elevator to the 80th floor, she pulled up a file on her tablet. It was the list of smaller firms currently bidding for a partnership with the Divine Group. At the very bottom of the pile was the name she was looking for: Lucas & Associates.
A cold smile touched her lips. Lucas thought she was pulling a "stunt". He believed she was currently crying in a rented car. He had no idea that while he was celebrating his "freedom" at a rooftop bar with Sarah, Avery was holding his entire future in her hands.
She stepped out into the boardroom. Twenty men in expensive suits stood in unison as she entered.
"Gentlemen, let's begin," Avery said, taking her seat at the head of the table. "Our first order of business is the vetting of our new partners. There is a company on this list that I want personally reviewed for their... ethical standards".
She slid Lucas's proposal across the table. "They seem to believe they have a bright future. I want to show them exactly how dark it can get when you break a promise to Avery".
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