Ravenna

FOUR

Nathaniel's POV

The following morning, I arrived at Reid Group earlier than usual.

I hadn't slept properly. My mind kept returning to the previous night's events, particularly Ravenna's unexpected appearance and the phone call that followed.

I had called her number, only for a strange man to answer and tell me I had the wrong number.

Who was he?

And why was he answering my wife's phone?

"Good morning, sir."

My secretary, Daniel, greeted me as I entered my office.

"Good morning."

He followed me inside, carrying a tablet and several documents.

"The board meeting has been scheduled for ten o'clock. All the directors have confirmed their attendance."

I placed my briefcase on the desk. "What about the new shareholder's representative?"

Daniel hesitated. "Miss Ravenna Reid has confirmed that she will be attending personally."

I gave a humourless smile. "Of course she will."

Daniel glanced at me. "Is there anything else you need, sir?"

"No. You can go."

He nodded and left. I loosened my tie and walked toward the windows.

Ravenna Reid.

Even hearing her name in my office felt strange.

10:00 AM

The boardroom was occupied when I arrived. I took my seat at the head of the table, greeted the directors, and opened the meeting.

"Good morning, gentlemen."

"Good morning, Mr. Reid."

"We'll begin with the financial report," I announced.

Daniel started presenting the figures on the screen. I was halfway through reviewing the documents when the boardroom door opened.

I looked up.

Ravenna walked in. She wore a beautifully tailored cream suit, matching heels, and carried a black leather handbag. Her hair fell neatly over her shoulders.

She looked very elegant.Confident.

And completely unaffected by the fact that she was sitting in a room full of people who had once known her as Nathaniel Reid's obedient wife.

A man in a dark suit followed her, carrying a laptop and several documents. I immediately recognized him.

My expression hardened slightly.

"Good morning, everyone," Ravenna greeted.

"Good morning, Miss Reid," Mr. Harrison replied.

She took the seat directly opposite me. "Shall we begin?"

I leaned back in my chair. "We were already in the middle of the meeting."

She glanced at the screen. "Then I hope I haven't missed anything important."

A few directors exchanged amused looks.

I wasn't amused.

The meeting continued.

Ravenna listened quietly as Daniel presented the company's financial position, occasionally writing something in her notebook.

When he finished, Mr. Harrison turned toward her. "Miss Reid, we'd appreciate hearing your assessment of the company's current performance."

Ravenna closed her notebook. "Thank you. I've reviewed the financial reports provided to my office, and I have a few concerns."

I folded my arms. "What concerns?"

She looked directly at me. "The overseas expansion project."

I frowned. "What about it?"

"Your company has invested a considerable amount of money into the project, yet the returns remain below expectations."

"It's a long-term investment."

"I'm aware."

"Then you should understand that short-term losses are expected."

She nodded. "Certainly. But there is a difference between a calculated risk and an unnecessary financial burden."

The room became quiet.

I stared at her.

"Are you suggesting that my management team doesn't understand its own investments?"

"I'm suggesting that every major financial decision should be examined carefully."

"Especially decisions made by me?"

She smiled. "Don't make this personal, Nathaniel. We're discussing business."

Mr. Harrison cleared his throat. "I believe Miss Reid has a valid point. Perhaps we should review the project."

I glanced at him.

"Fine. We'll review it."

Ravenna nodded.

"Thank you."

She turned a page in her documents.

"I would also like access to the company's financial records for the past five years, particularly transactions connected to the overseas expansion."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Five years?"

"Yes."

"That's quite a long period."

"Five years isn't particularly long when you're examining a company's financial history."

I stared at her.

She returned my gaze calmly.

"Is there a problem with that request?"

"No. You'll get the documents."

"Excellent."

She closed her folder.

"Then I believe we're making progress."

I almost laughed.

She had managed to challenge several of my business decisions within an hour.

And she seemed to be enjoying every second of it.

After the Meeting

The directors gradually left the boardroom.

Ravenna remained seated, arranging her documents while her male assistant checked something on his laptop.

I waited until the others had left before speaking.

"Ravenna."

She didn't look up.

"Yes, Mr. Reid?"

"We need to talk."

"About what?"

I glanced at the man beside her.

"Can we speak privately?"

She followed my gaze.

"Marcus, give us a moment."

The man nodded, closed his laptop, and walked out.

I watched him leave.

"Marcus?" I repeated.

"My assistant."

"I know he's your assistant."

"Then why did you repeat his name?"

I ignored her question. "Was he the man who answered your phone last night."

She slowly raised her eyes. "So you've been calling me?"

"I called your number "

"And?"

"A man answered."

She gave a small smile.

"That's interesting."

"What's interesting about it?"

"Nothing. What did you want to discuss?"

I stepped closer to the table.

"Why is he answering your phone?"

"Because he's my assistant, Nathaniel. Sometimes he handles my calls."

"Why did he tell me I had the wrong number?"

"Perhaps he didn't recognize your number."

I stared at her.

"You're avoiding my questions."

"And you're asking questions that have nothing to do with business."

I exhaled sharply.

"Fine. Let's talk about business. How did you acquire those shares?"

"Through a legal transaction."

"Who sold them to you?"

"That's confidential."

"Ravenna, I'm asking you a simple question."

"And I've given you a simple answer."

I clenched my jaw.

"Do you intend to interfere with my company's operations?"

She laughed softly.

"Your company?"

"Yes."

She stood, picked up her handbag, and looked directly at me.

"Interesting. I thought you understood how business ownership works."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Don't test my patience."

"Then don't mistake my position for an opportunity to intimidate me."

She walked toward the door.

"Ravenna."

She stopped.

"What?"

"Are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for me?"

She turned around.

For a moment, her expression became serious.

"Do you remember how difficult things were for me three years ago?"

I didn't answer.

She nodded slowly.

"That's what I thought."

Then she walked out.

NATHANIEL'Ss Office

I returned to my office several minutes later. My mood had deteriorated considerably. I loosened my tie and sat behind my desk.

My phone rang.

Zara.

I answered.

"Hello."

"Good morning, baby."

"Good morning."

"Have you spoken to Ravenna today?"

I leaned back.

"Yes."

"And?"

"And what?"

"What did she say? Did you ask her what she wants?"

I rubbed my forehead.

"Zara, I have a company to run. I can't spend the entire day discussing Ravenna."

"But she's your wife!"

I closed my eyes briefly. "I know she's my wife."

"Then what are we going to do?"

I sighed.

"I told you yesterday that I don't know."

There was silence on the other end.

Finally, she spoke.

"Are you going to let her take you away from me?"

I opened my eyes.

"Nobody is taking anybody away from you. I need time to figure things out."

"Alright."

"I'll call you later."

I ended the call.

For a few seconds, I remained silent.

Then Daniel knocked and entered.

"Sir, there's something you should see."

He placed a document on my desk.

"What is it?"

"The new shareholder's company profile. We received the updated information this morning."

I opened the document.

Ravenna's photograph appeared at the top.

Below it was a list of her business interests, investment holdings, and the companies connected to her.

I scanned through the information.

My eyebrows slowly drew together.

This wasn't a small investment.

Ravenna had acquired interests in several major businesses, and her financial portfolio was considerably larger than I had imagined.

I turned another page. "Who is the man managing her business affairs?"

Daniel glanced at the document. "Marcus Cole, sir. He's listed as her personal assistant and business manager."

I looked at him. "Find out everything you can about him."

"Certainly, sir."

Daniel hesitated.

"There's something else."

I raised my eyes.

"What?"

"Miss Reid has requested a private meeting with the board chairman tomorrow. She also wants to meet the department heads."

I gave a dry laugh. "Of course she does."

Daniel nodded and left.

I looked at Ravenna's photograph again.

She had returned with money, influence, and people I knew nothing about.

But there was something else bothering me.

She hadn't once asked me to explain what happened three years ago.

She didn't asked why I believed the accusations against her.

She didn't even asked whether I missed her.

It was as though she had already closed that chapter of her life.

I picked up my phone and stared at her contact.

Then I put it down.

I would find out where she had been for three years.

I would find out who Marcus Cole was.

And I would find out what Ravenna really wanted.

Because whatever game my wife was playing, I had no intention of being the last person to understand it.

Ravenna's POV

I sat in the back of my car, watching the Reid Group building disappear behind us.

Marcus was beside me, reviewing the documents from the meeting.

"That went well," he commented.

I smiled.

"Very well."

"Mr. Reid didn't look particularly pleased."

I laughed.

"Did you expect him to welcome me with flowers?"

Marcus chuckled.

"Perhaps not."

I looked out of the window.

For three years, I had imagined what it would feel like to stand in front of Nathaniel again. I had imagined shouting at him, demanding answers, and making him feel the pain I had experienced.

My phone suddenly rang.

I glanced at the screen.

MOTHER.

I stared at it for a moment before answering.

"Yes, how may I help you."

"Ravenna, where are you?"

"On my way somewhere."

"We need to talk. I want you to come home this afternoon."

I smiled faintly.

"Home?"

"Yes. Your father's waiting too."

I looked through the window.

"Alright, Mother. I'll come."

"Good. And Ravenna?"

"Yes?"

"Please, let's not bring up the past. We're still family."

I said nothing for a moment.

Then I smiled.

"Don't worry, Mother. I haven't forgotten that we're family."

I ended the call.

Marcus glanced at me.

"Everything alright?"

I placed my phone in my handbag.

"Perfectly."

I turned toward the window again.

"Take me to my parents' house."