Always Into You

The tons of the name - Chapter 4

The world had already moved on the morning following Ambessa Hightower's spectacular 63rd birthday celebration. Socialites and critics scrutinized every aspect of the event, applauding its extravagance, exclusivity, and flawless execution.

The true power struggle, however, was just getting started inside Ambessa's apartment.

Christopher walked into the clean, minimalist dining room, where his mother sat at the head of the long glass table.

She looked stunning, wrapped in a black versace robe, her espresso steaming beside her.

Christopher didn't have to inquire why he'd been summoned.

Ambessa did not look up from her tablet. "You embarrassed me last night."

Christopher leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. "You'll have to be more specific."

She looked up, eyes as damaging as a spear during the roman empire. "You and Tanya."

Christopher tightened, but maintained a neutral demeanor. "Since when was dancing a crime mother? " Ambessa sighed

"Dancing? " She placed down her tablet and folded her hands in front of her.

"It was more than just a dance, Christopher. That was degrading. And I will not tolerate a mess.

Christopher sighed while shaking his head. "You act like I was caught proposing to her in the middle of the gala." you are just overacting as always.

Ambessa's voice turned colder. "If I felt you were that foolish, we wouldn't be talking.

"I would have had her removed."

Christopher's eyes darkened. "She's not just an employee to fire, mother please!."

Ambessa smirked. Isn't she?" Christopher tightened his fingers into fists.

"She has worked with you for a long duration of time.

Created your events.have protected your image.

And yet, you continue to talk about her as if she is disposable."

Ambessa drank her espresso, unimpressed. "Everyone is disposable, Christopher."

Christopher breathed hard. "Why do you dislike her?

" Ambessa inclined her head slightly, amused by the inquiry. "Hate? No, sweetheart.

Hatred is personal. Tanya Brixton is just another ambitious little girl who believes that working hard would earn her a spot at my table.

"She tapped her manicured nails against the glass. "She doesn't understand that in this world, she'll always be pouring the wine, never drinking it."

Christopher's fist just smacked the table. "You underestimate her."

Ambessa chuckled and sat back in her chair. "No, you have overestimated her. Have you always had a weakness for broken tiny things?"

Christopher said “Tanya is not”

“one of us?” Ambessa finished, watching him closely. “Exactly.”

Christopher stepped forward. "You were not one of them when you entered Blaze Magazine.

But you forced your way inside. "You built yourself from the ground up." His tone softened.

"And now you sit here, pretending like you don't see her doing the exact same thing." Ambessa's look remained unbothered, but the atmosphere between the mother and son consolidated. After long stutterings, she breathed.

"Do you know how I became Blaze's Editor-in-Chief? "

Christopher said. "You took over from Georgina Blackwood."

Ambessa smiled, “That’s the official story. The famous one?

”She picked up her spoon and stirred her espresso. “Georgina Blackwood never wanted me.

He saw me as a threat. A nobody with too much ambition. So he tried to destroy me, after my long work for blaze.”

Christopher remained silent.

Ambessa’s voice softened, but it wasn’t gentle. It was lethal.

“But I don’t destroyed easily. I found out everything about him.

His weaknesses. His secrets. And when the moment came, I made sure he handed me his empire with a smile.”

Christopher swallowed. “You blackmailed him.”

Ambessa’s lips curved.She is a douche a no brainer.“I gave him an incentive.”

She took a slow sip of her espresso, then met his words. “And now, I sit at the top.”

Christopher exhaled and shook his head. "So, what's your lesson? Crush someone before they can crush you." Ambessa leaned forward, her speech barely audible.

"My lesson is that when a lady like Tanya strives to rise above her level, the world does not celebrate. "It destroys her."

Christopher's stomach twisted. "That's not for you to decide."

Ambessa smirked."No. "But it's for you." Christopher bows his head. Ambessa tilted her head and studied him. "Do you think this is about her?"

This is about you, Christopher." She placed down her cup, her voice raised. "You will inherit everything I made. Blaze,The Empire, The power.

And you can't do it if you're distracted by an out of place girl, i know you Christopher you want what you want."

Christopher kept her self, rage soaking beneath his skin. "You don't get to tell me who I care about."

Ambessa smiled, but it wasn't warm. "No? Then let me make you a prediction."

She leaned in, her voice like a sponge over a newly sharpened knife.

"You will fight for her." You'll tell yourself that love is more powerful than ambition."

A silence.

"And then one day, you'll wake up and realize you are me."

Christopher’s chest tightened.

Ambessa stood, straightening her robe. “You have a choice, Christopher. But make no mistake if she gets in your way, I will remove her.”

Christopher clenched his fists. “You won’t touch her mother.”

Ambessa gave him a laugh, remember Heart?

“We’ll see.”

Then, without another word, she left the room, leaving Christopher standing in the wreckage of what he had once believed and trusted. Christopher knows how his mother worked for enemies.