Chapter 20
1144 Words
“What kind of change?”
Asia’s fingers tightened around her phone.
Across the table, her grandmother had already set down her teacup.
Clara hesitated.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Richmore. Mr. Glanton instructed that the details should be discussed in person.”
Asia frowned.
“In person?”
“Yes.”
The younger woman sounded nervous.
“All I know is that the board has been informed and everyone is being called in earlier than expected.”
A small crease appeared between Asia’s brows.
That wasn’t normal.The Carter Corporation partnership had already been scheduled.
Everything had already been planned.
For a sudden change to happen at this stage meant something significant had occurred.
“All right,” she finally said.
“I’ll be there tomorrow.”
The call ended.
For a moment, Asia remained seated.
Her grandmother watched her quietly.
“What happened?”
Asia placed the phone on the table.
“Work.”
The older woman nodded knowingly.
“The weekend is over?”
A small smile tugged at Asia’s lips.
“Unfortunately.”
Her grandmother reached over and patted her hand.
“Then go handle it.”
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly.
By evening, Asia was packing her suitcase.
She folded the last of her clothes and closed the zipper.
For a moment, she stood in the middle of the room.
Thinking.
A few months ago, returning to the city would have filled her with dread.
Because the city meant seeing kelvin.
But Now?
The feeling was different.
She wasn’t returning for Kelvin.She was returning because she had responsibilities.
A knock sounded against the door.
“Come in.”
Her grandmother entered carrying a small box.
Asia immediately smiled.
“You keep appearing with mysterious boxes.”
“I’ve earned that right.”
The older woman walked forward and handed it over.
Asia opened it carefully.
Inside rested a silver fountain pen.
“Grandpa’s?”
Her grandmother shook her head.
“Your father’s.”
Asia looked up as the older woman smiled softly.
“He signed every important document with that pen.”
She gently picked it up.
The metal felt cool against her fingers.
“I can’t take this.”
“Yes, you can.”
“Grandma…”
“He would’ve wanted you to have it.”
The older woman’s voice softened.
“Besides, you’re the one making important decisions now.”
Asia looked down at the pen and reach out her arms to pull her grandmother into a warm embrace.
“Thank you…”she said.
“The driver is waiting you should hurry”.
She nodded quickly and headed downstairs.
The following evening, Asia arrived back at Fletcher Mansion.
The moment she stepped inside, the difference hit her,the warmth she had felt all weekend vanished.
She handed her luggage to one of the staff members.
“Thank you.”
The maid smiled warmly.
“It’s good to have you back, Mrs. Fletcher.”
Asia returned the smile.
Then headed toward the staircase.As she passed the living room, familiar voices stopped her.
Jane laughed.
The sound carried through the room.
Asia glanced inside.
Kelvin sat on the sofa with a glass of whiskey rested in his hand.
Jane occupied the seat beside him, leaning far closer than necessary as she animatedly told some story.
Both looked comfortable Like they had spent countless evenings exactly this way.
A few months ago, the sight would have hurt.
Because now…
It didn’t.
Asia simply looked away then continued walking.
The movement caught Kelvin’s attention.
His gaze lifted.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
The look in his eyes felt like he was expecting something from Asia, maybe her usual complaining but none of that came.
Instead, Asia simply nodded politely.
“Good evening.”
Then continued upstairs.
Kelvin watched her disappear around the corner.
Jane immediately noticed his attention.
“What are you looking at?”
Kelvin looked away.
“Nothing.”
The next morning, Asia arrived at Glanton Industries before eight.
The atmosphere immediately felt different.Executives moved through the lobby at unusual speed.
Assistants hurried from one office to another carrying stacks of documents.
Conversations stopped when she approached and Whispers resumed when she passed.
Asia stepped into the elevator.
By the time she reached the executive floor, she already knew something significant had happened.
Clara was waiting outside.
The young secretary practically exhaled in relief when she saw her.
“Ms. Richmore.”
“What happened?”
Emily lowered her voice.
“Mr. Glanton is waiting.”
Together, they walked toward the chairman’s office.
A moment later, Asia stepped inside.
Mr. Glanton looked up from a stack of documents.
“You’re here.”
Asia took a seat.
“You sounded urgent.”
The older man nodded.
“Because it is.”
For several seconds, he studied her and then finally spoke.
“The Carter Corporation negotiations have changed.”
Asia frowned.
“How?”
“The original representatives have been replaced.”
That immediately got her attention.
“Replaced?”
Mr. Glanton nodded.
“The Carter family has decided to take direct control of the negotiations.”
Silence.
Asia processed that information carefully.That wasn’t a minor adjustment.
That was enormous.
“When did this happen?”
“Yesterday.”
Asia’s brows lifted.
“Yesterday?”
The chairman leaned back.
“Apparently there have been significant internal changes.
“And who exactly is coming?”
Mr. Glanton gave a small smile.
“The million-dollar question.”Even he didn’t seem to know.
“The Carter family remains as secretive as ever.”
Asia nodded slowly.
That much was true everyone knew the Carter name but Very few people knew the people behind it.
The meeting continued for another hour.
By the time it ended, Asia’s notebook was filled with pages of notes.
She stood and gathered her documents.
“I’ll prepare the revised presentation.”
Mr. Glanton nodded approvingly.
“I expected nothing less.”
Asia exited the office and headed down the executive corridor.
Her mind remained occupied with meeting schedules and negotiation strategies.
So occupied that she barely noticed the conference room ahead.
Until the door opened.
Several executives stepped aside immediately.
Asia slowed slightly.
Someone emerged from inside.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
Dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit.
His face remained partially turned away but something about him felt strangely familiar.
A feeling she couldn’t explain.
The man continued walking without looking in her direction.
His pace calm.
By the time Asia fully turned, he had already disappeared around the corner.
She frowned.
For some reason, she felt as though she had seen him before.
But before she could think further, Clara appeared beside her.
“Ms. Richmore?”
Asia blinked.
The strange feeling faded.
“Yes?”
“The board meeting starts in twenty minutes.”
Asia nodded.
And together, they continued down the corridor.
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