Chapter 8
893 Words
The following morning, Asia had gotten up so early and driven out of the mansion.she found herself standing in front of Fletcher Holdings once again.
For a moment, she simply stared at the towering glass building. The sight of it brought back years of memories she wasn't sure she wanted to revisit.
She had spent countless hours inside those walls. Early mornings, late nights, business trips, meetings, presentations.she had poured so much of herself into this company because it belonged to Kelvin.
Because she had believed that if she worked hard enough, loved hard enough, supported him enough, one day he would look at her the way she looked at him.
Now she knew better.
Taking a slow breath, she adjusted her handbag and walked inside.
Several employees recognized her immediately.Some offered polite greetings while Others stared in surprise.
News traveled fast in Flinton City. Everyone knew about the shooting. Some probably expected her to disappear for months.
Asia ignored the curious looks and headed toward the executive floor.
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime.
As she stepped out, the familiar hallway stretched before her. Nothing had changed.
She walked past her former office without stopping. The sight of Jane's name on the frosted glass door made her pause for only a second before she continued toward Kelvin's office.
The door wasn't fully closed.As she approached, she heard laughter.
Jane's laughter.
Asia knocked once before pushing the door open.
Inside, Kelvin was buttoning his suit jacket while Jane stood near his desk with her handbag draped over one arm.
They looked like they were about to leave.Neither of them expected to see her.
Jane recovered first.
"Oh, Asia."
Her voice carried just enough surprise to sound fake.
"What a pleasant surprise."
Asia remained where she was.
"I just came to collect something."
Kelvin glanced up from his watch.His expression remained completely neutral.
"You're here."
Jane linked her arm through Kelvin's casually.
"We were actually just heading out for lunch."The smile on her face widened.
"You should come with us."
Asia looked at her quietly as Jane continued talking.
"This is kind of our thing now."
For a brief second, an old memory surfaced.
A younger version of herself standing in a kitchen,Carefully preparing Kelvin's favorite meal.
Waiting for him to return from work,just Waiting for him to answer her messages.
She remembered carrying lunch to his office countless times.
Remembered asking if they could eat together.
Just once even just for thirty minutes.
Every single time, Kelvin had the same response.
He was either too busy or caught up in an important meeting or just not in the mood for any of that.
Eventually she had stopped asking but Yet here he was Dressed for lunch.
Making time for Jane,he had always made out time for her.
The problem had never been lunch but it had always been the thought of him spending time with her.
"No, thank you," Asia replied calmly.
"I only need a file."
Jane's smile faltered slightly,Perhaps she had expected a reaction.
Instead, Asia simply stood there waiting.
Kelvin spoke first.
"What file?"
"The Sterling acquisition folder."she replied.
Without hesitation, he walked toward a cabinet near his desk.
"Here."He pulled out a thick blue folder and handed it over.
Asia accepted it.
The entire exchange took less than ten seconds.
After handing the document over to Asia he picked up his coat with his eyes fixed on the clock before heading toward the door.
"We should go."
Jane immediately brightened.
"Right."
Then she turned back toward Asia.
"Don't work too hard."
Asia simply nodded as the both of them left together.
A few months ago, that sight would have broken her heart but instead she got her handbag and headed out the door.
The drive home was quiet.The document sat on the passenger seat beside her.
When she arrived at the mansion, she headed directly upstairs.The house was unusually quiet snd She preferred it that way.
Inside her room, she placed the folder on her desk and began sorting through the documents Sebastian had asked her to review.
Asia had spent years working with corporate documents. Most of what she saw wasn't surprising.
Until she reached the final section.
Her fingers paused.
She slowly pulled out a particular document and the date immediately caught her attention.
This particular document had been signed shortly after her father's death.
Asia frowned.
Then she continued reading,a few moments later, her expression changed.
The document outlined the temporary transfer of voting authority attached to several Richmore shares.
Shares that currently strengthened Kelvin's position within the company.
Asia slowly sat back in her chair.
Her father's signature wasn't on the document it only contained legal authorization from trustees.
Interesting.
Asia read the page again and the more she studied it, the more questions appeared.
Questions she intended to answer.
She reached for her phone and sent Sebastian a photograph of the document.
A reply arrived several minutes later.
“I’ll have to look into this.” He replied.
Asia stared at the message and then looked back at the document.
Perhaps Sebastian had been right.
Perhaps the situation wasn't as hopeless as it appeared.
Maybe there really was a way to take back what belonged to her father.
And if there was,she intended to find it.
No matter how long it took.
- Writer
