Chapter3
1741 Words
CHAPTER THREE
Victoria did not blink. Not immediately. She simply watched me.
The restaurant noise faded into something distant and unimportant, like waves breaking far from shore. The soft music. The clinking glasses. The low laughter from another table. All of it became background to the war happening quietly between us.
Her fingers rested lightly around the stem of her wine glass.
“You are bold,” she said at last, her tone neither impressed nor offended.
“I prefer intentional,” I replied confidently
“You do realize,” she continued, voice lowering, “that you are sitting across from a woman who could make your life extremely unbearable”
I held her gaze.
“And you realize,” I said softly, “that discomfort is something I have lived with my entire life.”
I have done a lot of research and when dealing with people like this, you have to stand confident else they would intimidate you
Her eyes flicked over me assessing me “
“I am dangerous to mess with,” Victoria finally said.
I tilted my head slightly. “I realize that .”
She leaned back in her chair.
“You lied about your name. Your background. Your lifestyle. You infiltrated my circle. You gathered information about my daughter.” Her eyes sharpened. “You planned this well, didn’t you?”
Well, except the daughter part but I am glad I did if not, I would have lost everything to her.
“Yes,” I agreed calmly.
She studied me for a few seconds longer.
“You remind me of someone,” she murmured.
“Your younger self?” I asked.
That almost did it.
The faintest shift in her expression. She wasn’t smiling.
“You think highly of yourself.”
“No,” I said gently. “I think highly of survival.”
A waiter passed by. Neither of us looked at him.
Victoria tapped her manicured fingers once against the table.
“What exactly do you believe you can offer Kingsley Holdings?” she asked.
The question was smooth. But I know it was a test.
“I observe well,” I said. “I learn quickly. I understand people. And I am not afraid to make hard decisions.”
“And ethics?” she asked dryly.
I held her gaze. “Are flexible when necessary.”
That time, she did lean back slightly.
“Feisty,” she said under her breath.
I allowed myself a small smile.
She took a slow sip of her wine before speaking again.
“Most people who want positions in my company bring résumés and experience”
“I brought leverage,” I replied.
Her eyes flickered again.
“Do not mistake this,” she said firmly. “You are not blackmailing me into weakness. You are negotiating from a very thin line.”
“I’m aware,” I said quietly.
She leaned forward now, elbows resting lightly on the table.
“If you step out of line,” she said, voice dropping to something almost silky, “I will dismantle you piece by piece. You will regret ever sitting at this table.”
I did not swallow neither did I blink.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” I replied.
That hung between us.
Two predators acknowledging each other.
Finally, she exhaled softly.
“You are ambitious, ruthless and Calculated.” She paused. “You could be an asset.”
My heartbeat shifted but I kept my expression steady.
“I’m listening,” I said.
“You will receive a position at Kingsley Holdings,” she continued. “A reputable one. But you will earn your place every single day.”
“Of course.”
“You will remain Lara Beaumont.” She added.
“Understood.”
“And the matter concerning my daughter?” she asked.
“Safe,” I said immediately. “As long as my secret remains safe too.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“You are trusting that I will keep my word.” She simply said.
“I am trusting that you protect your brand more than you seek revenge.”
A pause.
“Smart girl.”
She reached into her handbag and pulled out a purse. She placed several crisp notes on the table beside the wine glass.
“This,” she said calmly, standing up, “is because you clearly cannot afford the wine.”
The words were cold.
For half a second, something burned in my chest.
But I smiled.
“Thank you,” I said sweetly. “I’ll consider it my first unofficial bonus.”
She looked down at me, expression unreadable.
“If you mess this up,” she said quietly, “you will regret ever meeting me.”
“And if I don’t?” I asked.
Her eyes held mine.
“Then perhaps,” she said, “you will become something.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
The room seemed to breathe again once she left.
I sat there for a moment, staring at the money on the table. And received a breath I seemed to have been holding. That was intense!
Then I laughed softly.
I have always been like this.
Even as a child.
I came from a small town where nothing ever changed and dreams felt like distant stories told by travelers passing through.
My parents believed in patience but I believed in action.
After college, I waited six months for a decent job in my town.
But six months passed and still nothing.
I was getting jobs that was not even enough to fed for myself despite graduating with a first class degree.
Six months of watching my classmates settle for lives they secretly hated.
Opportunity does not knock in small towns. There was nothing there and I have always wanted me. I wanted a good life for myself.
So two years ago, I packed one suitcase and took a bus to the city.
And promised myself one thing. I would never return poor.
The city was not kind. There was not much difference from where I left but even harder. Rent was high, Jobs were scarce.
I did different Part-time work here and there. Smiling at customers who barely saw me.
Serving people who spent in one evening what my family earned in months.
I watched, studied and learned.
Poverty is not just lack of money. It is lack of access.
And I decided I would access whatever I needed. By all means.
Today was proof that I was getting closer.
I stood up from the table, took the money and paid for the wine and there was still some cash left, I then walked out of Royal Café without looking back.
The next week arrived with sharp clarity. My first day at Kingsley Holdings.
I woke up before my alarm.
The air in my small apartment felt different.
I opened my wardrobe carefully.
I have always dreamed of this day and it was finally here.
I chose a tailored grey blazer with structured shoulders that sharpened my silhouette. Underneath, a silk ivory blouse that flowed just enough to soften the edges. A high-waisted pencil skirt that hugged my hips without being inappropriate.
Black pointed heels. My hair was sleek and pulled back into a low bun.
I used Minimal jewelry. Just a slim watch and small diamond earrings, which were fake of course.
I studied my reflection taking a deep breathe.
Lara Beaumont stared back at me.
Unrecognizable from the girl who left her parents’ house with a suitcase and borrowed bus fare.
I smiled slowly. I was nervous but I won’t let it show.
Outside, I ordered a regular cab and got in.
Halfway to the company, I checked my reflection in the small mirror again.
I pulled out my phone and booked a luxury ride instructing the first driver to drop me a few streets away.
By the time the sleek black sedan arrived, I was fully composed.
When we pulled up in front of Kingsley Holdings, my nervousness grew.
The building towered above the surrounding structures, all glass and steel and calculated dominance. The company logo gleamed in polished silver against dark stone.
People moved in and out of the revolving doors in tailored suits and confident strides.
The lobby, once I entered, was breathtaking.
Marble floors, High ceilings with cascading crystal lights.
A massive abstract art installation dominating the far wall.
The reception desk curved elegantly beneath the company emblem.
This was not just a business. This was an empire.
“Good morning,” I said smoothly. “Lara Beaumont. I’m expected.”
The receptionist’s expression shifted instantly at my name.
“Yes, Ms. Beaumont. You have executive clearance. Welcome to Kingsley Holdings.”
The words made my stomach churn.
“Private elevators are to your right.” She said with a warm smile.
“Thank you.”
I stepped toward the private elevator area indicated to me, My heels clicking softly against the marble floor.
I stepped inside the elevator and pressed the floor I had been instructed to report to.
The doors began to close.
Then, a hand appeared between them.
The doors slid back open smoothly.
A man stepped in.
Adrian Kingsley.
He wore black. A suit that fell perfectly over broad shoulders, the fabric dark enough to swallow light. His tie was minimal. His expression, even more.
He didn’t look surprised to see me.
His eyes moved to my face, and for a fleeting second, I saw recognition settle there.
He stepped fully inside and pressed a button.
There was an awakened silence.
His gaze returned to my face.
“Lara Beaumont,” I said, my voice smooth but warm. “We met at the gala.” I stretched out my hand for an handshake.
For a second, his eyes dropped to my hand.
Then they lifted back to mine.
“I remember,” he said.
His voice was lower, Colder too.
He did not take my hand.
Slowly, I withdrew my hand embarrassedly but didn’t show it.
He was about to say something, I could see it. A thought forming behind his eyes. A question, perhaps. Or a warning.
His lips parted. And then…
His phone rang.
His expression changed instantly.
He glanced at the screen once before answering.
“Yes.”
Silence on his end.
His posture stiffened.
“What!” He exclaimed almost too loud.
- Writer
