Chapter 5: Reunion with Sebastian
1164 Words
Chapter 5: Reunion with Sebastian
(Caroline's POV)
I turned around, and a vibrant figure was frantically waving at me. He was leaning against a sleek sports car, looking like he just stepped out of a magazine ad.
"Carie!" he shouted, pushing off the car and jogging over.
I squinted against the sun. "Sebastian?"
It was Sebastian Moore. Our families had neighboring estates in the Hamptons. We spent every summer together as kids. Back then, he was the scrawny boy trailing behind me. Now, he was tall, broad-shouldered, and wearing a custom suit that probably cost more than most people's cars.
He stopped in front of me, grinning. "Long time no see."
"What are you doing here?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"Looking for a job," he said, half-joking. "Can you get me in through the back door? Maybe a cushy executive spot?"
I arched a brow skeptically. "Let me guess, cut off from the trust fund? Or did you sleep with a senator's wife and need to lay low?"
He laughed, a rich sound that didn't quite hide the sharpness in his hazel eyes. "Trust fund life is boring. Golf and galas. It's not for me." He took a step closer, his voice dropping the playfulness. "Besides, I heard about the divorce. I know what Dominic did. I'm not here for a handout, Caroline. I'm here because you're going to need someone who isn't on Dominic's payroll."
I assessed him. He wasn't the goofy kid anymore. He looked steady, but more importantly, he looked hungry for a challenge. I didn't need pity, but I did need a lieutenant.
"You really want to work?" I asked.
"Absolutely."
"Fine," I said, my voice crisp. "But you're overqualified and expensive. Don't expect me to go easy on you just because we shared a sandbox."
He blinked, then a brilliant, dangerous smile broke across his face. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
"You're my private secretary starting now," I said, turning on my heel. "Keep up."
We headed toward the building. Just as we approached the private elevator bank, a man in a sharp charcoal gray suit stepped into our path. He looked professional, holding a leather portfolio.
"Ms. Lowells," he said, nodding respectfully. "I'm Ethan Wright. Your father transferred me from the board to assist you."
I nodded once. "Good. Follow me."
I walked into the elevator, my heels clicking rhythmically on the floor. I kept my back straight. I wasn't just Caroline anymore; I was the CEO. Ethan and Sebastian followed me into the spacious corner office on the top floor.
"Report," I said, sitting behind the massive oak desk.
Ethan opened his folder immediately. "I've prepared the quarterly analysis. EBITDA is down three percent from last year. Here are the KPIs for the marketing division and the supply chain logistics."
He handed me the sheets. I stared at the columns of numbers. Financial models and profit margins filled my vision. It had been years since I looked at this stuff, but it didn't feel foreign. It felt like a weapon I had left rusting in the sheath for too long.
I forced myself to focus. I read every line. I didn't drown myself in the spreadsheets to forget Dominic. I devoured them to ensure that when I finally crushed him, I would have the math to prove exactly how much he was worth—or rather, how worthless he was. Every dipping percentage was a mistake he made, and every mistake was ammunition.
"Keep going," I said, "What else?"
Ethan continued breaking down the revenue streams. I let the data sharpen my mind, pushing the sentimental debris of my marriage aside. I was going to cut that man out of my life like a tumor.
The intercom on my desk buzzed, interrupting Ethan.
"Ms. Lowells," the receptionist's voice crackled. "Mr. Kieran Sterling is here. He doesn't have an appointment, but he insists on seeing you."
I frowned. Kieran. Dominic's best friend. The enabler.
"He says it's about the supply contract," the receptionist added.
"Send him up."
A moment later, the door swung open. Kieran Sterling strode in, looking as confident as ever, carrying the arrogance of a man who had never been told 'no'.
"Hey, Mrs. Ashford—" he started, flashing a charming smile.
"It's Ms. Lowells," I cut him off sharply, not bothering to look up from my papers immediately. "If you can't master basic names, Kieran, I worry about your ability to handle complex contracts."
He froze, his smile faltering. He cleared his throat, looking awkward. "Right. Ms. Lowells."
He walked to the desk and slid a blue folder toward me. "Just a formality, really. Our supply contract with Lowells Corp is up for renewal. I brought the paperwork for you to sign. Same terms as always."
I didn't wait for Ethan to brief me. I flipped the folder open, scanning the figures on the summary page. My eyes narrowed.
"A twenty percent markup above market rate?" I smiled. "Did you think I wouldn't notice the 'family discount' worked in reverse?"
Kieran blinked. "What? That's the standard rate we've always—"
"No," I said, shutting the folder with a definitive thud.
"We aren't renewing," I said, my voice flat. "Lowells Corporation isn't an ATM for the Sterling family anymore. If you want the contract, we're doing an RFP. A public tender."
"A public tender?" Kieran's eyes widened. "Caroline, are you joking? We've been partners for years. You can't just switch to a bidding process."
"I just did," I said. "Submit a proposal like everyone else. If your price and quality are the best, you'll get the job."
Kieran looked flustered, his face flushing. "Come on, don't be like this. We're friends. Why do we need to bring all this bureaucracy into it?"
He took a step toward the desk, leaning in as if to intimidate me.
I didn't flinch. I leaned forward, matching his energy, invading his space until he was the one who leaned back. "This isn't a charity, Kieran. It's a business. Get out."
Kieran glared, opening his mouth to argue, but Sebastian stepped forward from the shadows of the room. He didn't block me; he simply moved to the door and held it open, his expression one of polite menace.
"You heard the lady," Sebastian said, his voice hard. "Don't make me call security to drag you out by that cheap tie."
Kieran's face turned a violent shade of red. The polite mask shattered completely. He slammed his hand on my desk.
"Dominic was right about you!" he shouted. "You're just a spoiled, impulsive woman! You have no idea what you're doing!"
I checked my watch, visibly bored.
"You think this is a game?" Kieran spat, his voice rising to a scream. "If it wasn't for you, Dominic wouldn't have almost died in that car crash years ago! You owe him! You don't know anything about business. Lowells Corporation is going to be ruined in your hands!"
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