Episode 2: She's Gone
1354 Words
The towering Hart Group headquarters shimmered beneath the morning sun.
Standing at the foot of the building, Amelia felt a strange mix of emotions.
Nervousness.
Relief.
And something she hadn't felt in a very long time.
Freedom.
"Miss?"
Uncle James' voice gently pulled her back.
"Are you alright?"
She looked up and smiled.
"I'm fine."
He didn't look convinced.
"You don't have to force yourself."
Amelia glanced at the massive building again.
Three years ago, she had walked away from this place.
Back then, she had been determined to leave behind her identity as the Hart heiress.
She wanted a simple life.
A marriage built on love.
A chance to prove that she could be happy without her family's wealth and influence.
How foolish she had been.
She had given up everything for love.
And in the end...
She had lost both.
Her father stepped beside her.
"Regretting your decision?"
She looked at him.
"Which one?"
"Coming back."
Amelia smiled softly.
"No."
Richard Hart nodded.
"Good."
Then he looked at the building.
"Because from today onward, things are going to get very busy."
She blinked.
"What do you mean?"
Her father smiled.
"You'll find out soon enough."
A bad feeling suddenly settled in her stomach.
Before she could ask another question, the glass doors opened.
Dozens of executives walked out.
The oldest among them stepped forward.
The moment he saw Amelia, his eyes became red.
"Miss Hart."
Amelia smiled.
"President Zhao."
The elderly man nearly burst into tears.
"You've finally come home."
The executives behind him nodded repeatedly.
"We've missed you, Miss Hart."
"The company hasn't been the same without you."
"You've become thinner."
"You should rest more."
Amelia couldn't help but laugh.
For three years, no one had fussed over her like this.
The feeling was unexpectedly comforting.
Richard cleared his throat.
"Enough greetings."
Everyone immediately straightened.
"The meeting is about to begin."
Meeting?
Amelia frowned.
"What meeting?"
Her father simply smiled.
"You'll see."
The uneasy feeling in her stomach grew stronger.
Ten minutes later.
The top-floor conference room.
Amelia stopped in front of the large double doors.
Inside, voices could be heard.
She frowned.
"Why is everyone here?"
Her father looked innocent.
"What do you mean?"
"The entire board is inside."
"So?"
"Dad…"
He grinned.
"Go in."
Amelia suddenly wanted to turn around and leave.
Unfortunately, her father had already opened the door.
The moment she entered—
Every person in the room stood.
"Welcome back, Miss Hart!"
The voices echoed through the conference room.
Amelia froze.
What was happening?
Her father walked toward the head of the table.
Then he gestured for her to sit beside him.
She remained standing.
"Dad."
"Sit."
"No."
"Sit."
"I don't trust that smile."
Several executives chuckled.
Richard sighed.
"You've become smarter."
"I learned from you."
The room burst into laughter.
Finally, Amelia sat down.
The moment she did, her father pushed a thick folder toward her.
She looked at it suspiciously.
"What is this?"
"Open it."
"I don't think I should."
"Open it."
Slowly, she opened the folder.
Then she froze.
The title on the first page read—
Appointment of Acting President of Hart Group.
Silence.
A long silence.
She looked up.
Then back at the paper.
Then at her father.
"What is this?"
The old man smiled.
"Can't you read?"
"Dad."
"You're the new acting president."
The room exploded with applause.
Amelia nearly choked.
"What?!"
"Congratulations."
"No!"
The applause stopped.
Everyone blinked.
"No?"
She stood up.
"I never agreed to this!"
Her father looked surprised.
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not ready!"
"Nonsense."
"Dad—"
"You've been preparing for this your entire life."
"I left three years ago!"
"And now you're back."
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Because annoyingly enough…
He had a point.
Richard leaned back in his chair.
"Amelia."
She looked at him.
"You spent three years living for someone else."
Silence.
"Now it's time to live for yourself."
The room became quiet.
His words struck something deep inside her.
Three years.
Three years of waiting.
Three years of hoping.
Three years of making someone else the center of her world.
When was the last time she had done something for herself?
She couldn't remember.
Her father continued.
"You are my daughter."
"You are the future of this company."
"And no one is more qualified than you."
She stared at him.
The confidence in his eyes nearly made her cry.
For so long…
She had been invisible.
Yet here—
Someone believed in her completely.
Her throat tightened.
"You're putting too much faith in me."
Richard smiled.
"Impossible."
Tears stung her eyes.
He had always believed in her.
She was the one who had forgotten herself.
After a long silence, she slowly sat down.
The entire room watched her.
Finally…
She took a deep breath.
"Fine."
The room erupted.
Several executives nearly cheered.
"Miss Hart is back!"
"Congratulations!"
"This is wonderful!"
Amelia couldn't help but laugh.
Perhaps…
This wasn't such a bad thing after all.
At the same time.
Ashford Group Headquarters.
Jason rushed into the office.
"Sir!"
Damian looked up immediately.
"Did you find her?"
Jason nodded.
"We found Madam's location."
Damian stood so quickly that his chair nearly tipped over.
"Where is she?"
Jason swallowed.
"At Hart Group headquarters."
Silence.
A dangerous silence.
Damian frowned.
"What is she doing there?"
Jason hesitated.
"Sir…"
"What?"
"I don't think Madam is visiting."
He placed another file on the desk.
Damian picked it up.
The first page showed several photographs.
Amelia entering Hart Group.
Executives surrounding her.
Board members greeting her.
Then—
A photograph of her standing beside Richard Hart.
The chairman of Hart Group.
The two of them looked almost identical.
The same eyes.
The same smile.
The same expression.
Damian slowly looked up.
"Richard Hart is…"
Jason nodded.
"Her father."
Silence.
Another long silence.
For the first time in years, Damian looked genuinely shocked.
"She's really the heiress."
"Yes."
A strange feeling settled in his chest.
He remembered every time Amelia had smiled and called herself ordinary.
Every time she said she didn't care about money.
Every time she insisted she was lucky to have him.
Meanwhile…
She had been the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the country.
Why?
Why had she hidden it?
Why had she never said anything?
And then…
Another question appeared.
If she had all this—
Then why had she stayed with him for three years?
The answer came immediately.
Because she loved him.
The realization struck him harder than expected.
She had never wanted his money.
Never wanted his status.
Never wanted his name.
She had only wanted…
Him.
A strange ache spread through his chest.
Jason cleared his throat.
"Sir?"
Damian looked up.
"What?"
"Should I arrange a meeting with Hart Group?"
Silence.
For several seconds, Damian didn't answer.
Then—
"No."
Jason blinked.
"No?"
Damian grabbed his suit jacket.
"I'll go myself."
"Sir?"
He was already walking toward the door.
Jason hurried after him.
"Sir, what exactly are you planning to do?"
Damian stopped.
For the first time in days…
There was determination in his eyes.
"I'm bringing my wife home."
Jason nearly tripped.
Because somehow…
He had a feeling things were about to become very complicated.
Meanwhile, inside the Hart Group conference room—
Amelia signed the final document.
The moment she did, the executives burst into applause once more.
Richard smiled proudly.
"My daughter looks good as a president."
She laughed.
"I've only been one for five minutes."
"You'll get used to it."
At that moment, the secretary suddenly rushed inside.
She looked flustered.
"Chairman…"
"What is it?"
The woman swallowed.
"Mr. Damian Ashford is here."
The smile on Amelia's face disappeared.
Silence filled the room.
Her father's expression darkened instantly.
"What did you say?"
"Mr. Ashford is downstairs."
A dangerous smile appeared on Richard's face.
"Interesting."
Amelia's heart began to pound.
Why was he here?
How did he find her?
More importantly—
Why did she suddenly feel nervous?
Her father stood.
Then he smiled coldly.
"Since our guest is here…"
He adjusted his suit.
"Let's go welcome him."
End of Episode 5
- Writer
