A DEAL WITH THE BOSSY BILLIONAIRE

Verification

Mrs. Nana Chandler’s POV

The sunlight gleamed off the polished black limousine as it rolled to a stop in front of Chandler Enterprises. Photographers and reporters swarmed the entrance, flashes going off like fireworks. The world thought I was dead, but today was the day I made my grand return.

As I stepped out of the car, the murmur of the crowd grew to a deafening roar. Rachel and Rowan, my beloved grandchildren, stood frozen at the top of the steps, shock and disbelief etched into their faces. They hadn’t seen me in years, not since I was presumed dead in that boating accident off the coast of Alaska.

The truth was far more complicated. I’d been in hiding for three years, a recluse, while powerful enemies hunted me. But now, the time had come to reveal myself—and check on the progress of Sia 3.0.

I walked up the steps, the cameras clicking, capturing every moment. The crowd was eager for answers. They would get their story, but not the truth.

“Mrs. Chandler, is it true that you were rescued by a fisherman?” shouted a reporter, his voice cutting through the noise.

I paused, offering a small, practiced smile, before stepping up to the podium set up for the press conference. Rachel and Rowan flanked me, their eyes wide with confusion, but they remained silent. This wasn’t the time for family reunions.

I leaned toward the microphone, the crowd immediately quieting down. “Good afternoon, everyone,” I began, my voice calm and composed, the voice of a woman who had seen more than her fair share of hardship. “I know many of you are shocked to see me here today. You’ve all heard the stories of my supposed death, and I want to set the record straight.”

The cameras flashed again as I continued. “Three years ago, I was in a boating accident that left me presumed dead. What many don’t know is that I was saved by a kind, humble fisherman. His name was Mikhail, and he found me near death, having drifted miles from where the accident occurred.”

I paused for effect, watching the crowd hang on my every word. “Mikhail nursed me back to health in his small fishing village. I lived with him and his family, hidden from the world, as my enemies sought to eliminate me once and for all. But thanks to the tireless work of our law enforcement agencies—especially the Arizona Police Department, the FBI, and the Sheriff’s Office—the criminals who wanted me dead have been apprehended, and I can now return to my family.”

There was a ripple of applause, but the reporters weren’t satisfied with just a heartwarming tale.

“Mrs. Chandler, why are you only coming out of hiding now?” one journalist asked, his notepad at the ready.

I turned to him with a slight smile. “Because until recently, I wasn’t sure it was safe. My enemies were powerful, and it took years for law enforcement to track them down and bring them to justice. But thanks to their unwavering commitment, I can now live freely again.”

The Arizona Police Commissioner, standing at the side of the stage, was called to answer a few questions. “Commissioner, can you confirm that Mrs. Chandler’s enemies have been captured?” asked a reporter from *The Arizona Chronicle*.

The Commissioner cleared his throat and stepped forward. “Yes, we can confirm that after an extensive investigation and cooperation with federal authorities, the individuals responsible for threatening Mrs. Chandler’s life have been arrested and are currently awaiting trial.”

More questions flew from the crowd, directed at both the Commissioner and the FBI Director, but I tuned them out. My focus was on something far more important. As I turned slightly to my left, my eyes landed on Sia 3.0, standing at the edge of the room, perfectly composed, her delicate features betraying no hint of the turmoil beneath her surface.

I hugged Rachel and Rowan for the cameras, pulling them close, though my mind was elsewhere. As the flashes went off, I smiled for the public, but behind my smile was a calculation—a quiet anticipation.

After the press conference, I made my way through the crowd, giving polite nods and brief smiles to those who approached me. The noise of reporters faded as I walked away, my mind racing. I had seen enough. Sia’s mission was underway, and from the looks of it, things were progressing well. But I needed to ensure her loyalty and efficiency—Project Verification had to be flawless.

As I approached the parking lot, I saw Sia waiting near the entrance. Our eyes met, and for a brief moment, I saw the uncertainty in her gaze, the flicker of something she didn’t quite understand. I approached her slowly, smiling warmly, though the warmth never quite reached my eyes.

“We’ll be seeing each other soon,” I said softly, my words laced with hidden meaning. Sia nodded, a slight tremor in her lips, as if she could sense that I knew more about her than she knew about herself. I turned and walked away, leaving her standing there in quiet confusion.

My limousine awaited, the doors opening as I neared. I climbed in, the door clicking shut behind me, the chaos of the press fading into the distance as we drove off. I wound down the tinted window, glancing to the side as a motorcycle pulled up beside us at a red light. The rider wore a black helmet, a pizza delivery box strapped to the back of his bike.

I leaned out slightly and spoke just loud enough for him to hear. “Project verification. Complete.”

He nodded, his visor reflecting my image before he sped off into the busy streets. My driver stepped on the gas, and the car surged forward, leaving the scene behind as the press chased after us, desperate for more. But they would never know the truth behind my return—or the real reason I was here.

As I sat back in my seat, a small smile played on my lips. Everything was falling into place. Chandler Enterprises was only a part of the plan. Sia 3.0 had been activated, and now it was only a matter of time before everything I’d worked for came to fruition.