Chapter 5
1726 Words
Demitra's POV
“ You've got to be f*****g kidding me!”
I stare at the newspaper.
WALKER HEIRESS TO MARRY BILLONAIRE LUKE COMBS.
I drop the newspaper on the desk and pick it up back again to make sure my vision isn't
deceiving me.
Someone had leaked my father's will.
I hate the press. They're so nosy and annoying.
My phone rings
“Elle have you seen it?”
“Seen what?”
“The paper!”
“Girl , you know I don't read the paper. That's for old people”
“Everyone knows about the marriage”
“Oh I know. I leaked it”
My eyes widen
“Are you crazy?!”
“Relax! This is my best friend's wedding. Everyone has to know”
“Not like this, Elle. I could kill you”
“It has been done babes. Now we just need to make your wedding grand”
“I don't have time for this”
I ended the call.
Another call comes in
I pick up angrily
“Elle I don't have time for your bullshit!”
“What are you talking about?” Luke asks
“s**t! Luke?”
“Have you seen the paper?” he asks
“Yeah I have”
“How could this have possibly gotten out?”
“Dumb ass reporters, I tell you” I say with a nervous tone
“It's fine, I'll get it sorted out. We have a meeting with the lawyers today”
“ Yeah I know”
“See you then”
The call ends
I head downstairs for breakfast and see my uncle, his wife and kids.
“Why are you all still here?”
“You can't possibly kick your family out of the family house?” Richard says “Family
house? This is my father's mansion not some inn. I don't have time for this” I walk
out on them
“Wait Demitra” Elise yells
“What now?” I groan
“Is it true you're getting married to the Billionaire heart throb, Luke Combs?”
“How do you know that?” I question
“Uhm… I read it in today's paper”
“Elle…
” I mutter under my breath
“What was that? Elise asks
“Wow! I didn't know you could read. Good for you”
Nathan laughs quietly
“Don't you think your marriage is something that should be discussed with your family?” Richard
asks
“I mean why are we finding out you're getting married from the paper?” Victoria adds
“We are hardly family” I say immediately
The room goes silent for a while
“You're still my niece” Richard adds
“Just because you're my late father's brother doesn't make us close”
Victoria scoffs
“You've become very disrespectful since your father's death”
“Have I?”
Richard steps forward
“This attitude won't take you anywhere, Demitra”
“ I don't need an attitude to get somewhere. I have a company to run”
Elise laughs
“And what was that?” I ask
“We all know you don't own the company yet”
“ Elise!” Nathan shuns
“And what does that mean?”
“You have to marry that cute guy Luke first”
I take a deep breath
“My marital and business decisions have nothing to do with you”
I grabbed my keys and walked out before they could think of a reply.
By the time I got to Walker Holdings, the lawyers, Luke and his father were already present.
You're late” Luke says
“Sorry for the late entry, I was held up by…family affairs”
His eyebrows rise
“Excuses”
I sigh
“Can we move on with the meeting?”
“Of course ma'am. Mr Combs has already informed us the wedding would be in two weeks”
“Yes”
“Two weeks? That is wonderful!” Mr Combs adds
I give him a faint smile
“Before we continue, I want to know who leaked the will!” Luke says with an angry tone
The room goes silent
“We are investigating that” the lawyer adds
“I don't want an investigation, I want answers!”
“The deed has already been done, we should focus on more important issues” I say
I try to keep myself coordinated to avoid being suspicious
Luke glares at me intensely
“Back to the will” I add
“The documents for the transfer of assets will be signed on the wedding day.
”
“Okay.
”
“We would take our leave now” the lawyer says
“See you in two weeks” I add
“ I would be taking my leave too” Luke says
“Not just yet. We have to talk”
“I'm listening”
I clear my throat
“About the wedding…
”
“If it's about the funds, my head of finance would get in touch”
“I don't need your money. I need your guest list”
“Guest list? I thought it was going to be a small private affair”
“Well , plans change”
He looks at me with questioning eyes
“Send whatever you need to my personal assistant”
“Okay”
“Good. Is there anything else?”
“Yeah one more thing. You need a groomsman”
.
“I know”
“Good”
“Anything else?”
“The engagement party is next week. Don't forget the ring”
“Engagement party? I guess you're more into this wedding than I thought”
“No I'm not. It's just proper”
“Whatever rocks your boat”
I take a deep breath
He turns to leave
“Luke?”
“What now?”
“Don't be late”
He smirks
“I wouldn't dream of it”
I watch him walk away.
That man has a way of irritating me without even trying.
I pick up my phone and check the time.
I still have work to do.
A lot of it.
The Walker Holdings board meeting is tomorrow, and I refuse to let a stupid wedding distract me
from running my father's company.
Especially not a wedding I never asked for.
I walk back into my office and close the door behind me.
My assistant, Chloe, is waiting outside.
“Ms Walker?”
“Yes?”
She hands me a folder.
“These are the documents you asked for.
”
“Thank you.
”
She walks away.
I sit behind my desk and open the folder.
Everything looks normal.
Almost too normal.
I flip through the pages slowly.
Financial reports.
Property acquisitions.
Pending contracts.
Board recommendations.
Then I notice something.
I stop.
“What is this?”
One of the property reports has been altered.
I know the original figures.
I personally reviewed them last week.
Someone changed the numbers.
I reach for my laptop and open the company's database.
I compare the figures.
My eyes narrow.
Someone had changed the report after I approved it.
That wasn't possible.
Only a few people had access to these documents.
I immediately call Chloe.
“Come in.
”
She enters a few seconds later.
“Yes, ma'am?”
“Who had access to this report?”
She looks at the document.
“I believe the finance department.
”
“Who specifically?”
She thinks for a moment.
“Mr Harris and his team.
”
“Anyone else?”
“Members of the board can access some of the files.
”
I nod.
“Send me the access records.
”
“Yes, ma'am.
”
She turns to leave.
“Chloe.
”
She stops.
“Don't tell anyone about this.
”
“Of course.
”
She leaves.
I lean back in my chair.
Something doesn't feel right.
First, my father's will gets leaked.
Then everyone suddenly knows about my marriage.
Now someone is tampering with company documents.
Maybe I'm being paranoid.
But I don't believe in coincidences.
My phone vibrates.
I look at the screen.
It's an unknown number.
I hesitate before answering.
“Hello?”
Silence.
“Hello?”
The call ends.
I stare at the phone.
A few seconds later, another message comes in.
You should be careful who you trust.
My heart skips.
I type a reply.
Who is this?
The message is seen.
No response.
I stare at the screen.
“What the hell?”
I put the phone down.
This is getting ridiculous.
I try to focus on work, but my mind keeps returning to the message.
Someone is watching me.
The thought sends an uncomfortable feeling through me.
I hate being watched.
Especially when I don't know why.
An hour later, Chloe returns.
“Ms Walker, I have the access records.
”
She places the document on my desk.
I scan through it.
My eyes stop.
There is one name I recognize.
Richard Walker.
My uncle.
I look up.
“When did he access this?”
“Yesterday afternoon.
”
“Yesterday?”
“Yes.
”
I slowly close the file.
Of course.
My uncle.
He has been trying to get his hands on the company since my father died.
But why change the report?
What was he planning?
“Anything else?”
“No, ma'am.
”
“Alright. You can go.
”
She leaves.
I grab my phone.
I scroll through my contacts until I find Richard's number.
I call him.
He answers almost immediately.
“Demitra.
”
“Why did you access the company files?”
There is a pause.
“What are you talking about?”
“The financial report.
”
“I am your father's brother. I have every right to know what's happening in this company.
”
“No, you don't.
”
His voice changes.
“You have become very arrogant.
”
“And you have become very interested in a company that isn't yours.
”
Silence.
“Be careful, Demitra.
”
I laugh bitterly.
“Is that a threat?”
“It's advice.
”
“I don't need your advice.
”
I end the call.
My hands are shaking slightly.
I hate this.
I hate that my father's death has turned everything into a battle.
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