Chapter Seventeen
1500 Words
Vivian had taken on most of the responsibilities, balancing hospital visits, company affairs, and maintaining their public image. But it was clear the burden was overwhelming, and Ava knew she couldn’t sit on the sidelines anymore.
“I need you with me, Ava,” Vivian said one evening, exhaustion lining her face. “I can’t do this alone.”
Ava hesitated, gripping the cup of coffee in her hands. She loved working at the bookstore café, but their family was falling apart. Their father was still unconscious, their mother barely stable. Nathan had his exams, and he needed some form of normalcy.
She sighed. “I’ll quit my job tomorrow.”
Vivian exhaled in relief. “Thank you. I know this isn’t what you wanted, but I need someone I can trust.”
Ava nodded. She had no choice.
---
Nathan’s Struggles
Nathan sat at his desk, running a frustrated hand through his hair. The numbers in his textbook blurred together.
He had barely been able to focus on his studies. With their parents in the hospital and Vivian handling the business, the house felt empty. Even Ava, who had always been the one to check on him, was too preoccupied now.
His phone buzzed.
Sofia: Have you eaten?
Nathan smiled a little before typing back.
Nathan: Not yet. Studying.
Sofia: Come outside.
He blinked, confused, before getting up and heading to the front door. Sure enough, Sofia stood there with a bag of takeout.
“I figured you wouldn’t eat properly,” she said, pushing the food into his hands.
He looked at her, warmth filling his chest despite the stress he was under. “You didn’t have to—”
“I wanted to,” she interrupted, then nudged him inside. “Now eat. You need to pass your exams, Nathan.”
Nathan watched her fuss over him, something in his heart settling. Maybe everything wasn’t completely falling apart.
---
Ava Enters the Company
The next morning, Ava stood in front of Sinclair Enterprises, taking a deep breath.
She wasn’t Vivian. She wasn’t their father. But she was a Sinclair. And she would do whatever it took to hold the family together.
Steeling herself, she stepped inside.
….
The moment Ava stepped into Sinclair Enterprises, she felt the weight of expectations settle on her shoulders. The staff recognized her, but unlike Vivian, she had never been part of the company’s daily operations.
Whispers followed her as she walked through the halls.
“I thought she was just a bookshop girl?”
“Is she really taking over some responsibilities?”
“She’s a Sinclair. Let’s see what she can do.”
Ava ignored them and walked into the executive meeting room, where Vivian was already seated, reviewing a contract.
Vivian glanced up. “You’re right on time.”
Ava smirked. “I don’t like being late.”
“What did you say?” Vivian teased
Everyone knows she's never on time.
“Forget I say that” she said with a smile
Vivian slid a document toward her. “We have a negotiation meeting in thirty minutes. It’s an important deal, and I want you to observe—”
“Can I lead it” Ava picked up the document, scanning through the details in seconds. “I can lead it.”
Vivian’s brows rose in surprise, but then she smiled. “Alright. Let’s see if the bookshop girl is ready for the corporate world.”
Ava smirked. “Watch me.”
---
The Negotiation Meeting
Ava walked into the meeting room, confident and composed. The opposing company representatives, seasoned businessmen, barely spared her a glance.
“Where is Vivian Sinclair?” one of them asked, clearly dismissing Ava.
Ava sat down, crossing her legs, and met his gaze head-on. “Vivian isn’t handling this deal. I am.”
The man hesitated before laughing. “I mean no offense, but this is a high-stakes contract. Are you sure you’re—”
“Qualified?” Ava finished for him, tapping her fingers on the table. “Let’s not waste time. You want to negotiate the partnership terms for the upcoming project, but your proposal is weak.”
The room fell silent.
Ava leaned forward, flipping through the contract with ease. “Your offer undervalues our company’s assets by at least fifteen percent. You assume we won’t notice, or you believe we’re desperate. Either way, we’re not interested in being taken advantage of.”
One of the men cleared his throat. “Miss Sinclair, business isn’t just about numbers—”
“Exactly,” Ava cut in smoothly. “It’s about vision and opportunity. Right now, you’re offering neither. So let’s talk real numbers, or we can end this meeting here.”
Vivian, watching from the side, smirked. The opposing team, now flustered, scrambled to adjust their terms.
By the end of the meeting, Ava had secured a deal more favorable than Vivian had expected.
As they walked out, Vivian chuckled. “And here I thought you only cared about books.”
Ava shrugged. “Business is just another game of strategy. I just prefer books because they don’t talk back.”
Vivian laughed. “Well, Sinclair Enterprises just gained a new powerhouse.”
---
Damien
Later that evening, Damien sat in his office, scrolling through his phone when an unexpected headline caught his eye.
“Ava Sinclair Stuns Corporate World with Ruthless Negotiation.”
He frowned, clicking on the article.
Ava Sinclair had taken over a major business deal and had reportedly outmaneuvered experienced executives with ease. The business world was starting to take notice of her.
Lucian, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. “Looks like your mate is making moves.”
Damien said nothing, his expression unreadable.
Marcus smirked. “Still think she’s too weak?”
Damien leaned back in his chair. Ava was proving herself in ways he hadn’t expected. And for the first time, he felt something he didn’t like—
—
Ava Sinclair’s Corporate Takeover
Ava had barely settled into her new role at Sinclair Enterprises when the real challenges began. While she was naturally sharp with business, she had always avoided the corporate world, preferring the quiet comfort of books. But now, with Vivian handling their parents’ recovery, Nathan buried in his exams, and their family’s business reputation at stake, she had no choice but to step up.
And she had no intention of failing.
---
The Pressure Builds
Ava’s first few days at the office were filled with endless meetings, contracts, and reports. Every executive had an opinion about her sudden involvement.
Some were skeptical. “She’s just a bookshop girl. Can she even handle this?”
Others were intrigued. “She took over that last deal like a pro. Maybe she’s more than we expected.”
But Ava didn’t care about their whispers. She arrived early, left late, and absorbed everything like a sponge. She wasn’t just here to fill in for Vivian—she was here to make an impact.
Yet, there were moments of frustration.
“You need to sign off on these reports, Miss Sinclair.”
“You have a meeting in five minutes with the legal team.”
“The finance department needs your approval for budget adjustments.”
By the end of the week, Ava was exhausted. She collapsed onto the couch in her office, rubbing her temples.
Vivian had made this look easy.
Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Nathan.
Nathan: You okay?
Ava: Drowning in work, but alive. How’s your exam prep?
Nathan: Boring as hell, but at least I don’t have to deal with corporate sharks.
Ava chuckled. If only he knew he's also come back here.
---
Her First Real Test
The first major challenge came when a competitor tried to poach one of Sinclair Enterprises’ biggest clients.
Ava sat in a high-stakes meeting with the client, an older businessman named Mr. Hawthorne, who had worked with their family for years. He was considering switching companies due to a better offer.
“We respect the Sinclair legacy, but business is business,” he said. “Their proposal offers lower costs and higher margins.”
Ava, calm and composed, smiled. “And yet, you haven’t signed with them.”
Mr. Hawthorne hesitated. “Well—”
“It’s because you don’t trust them,” Ava stated, leaning forward. “You’ve worked with Sinclair Enterprises for decades because we deliver, not just promise. Lower costs mean nothing if their service fails you. And it will.”
Silence filled the room.
Then she slid a revised contract across the table. “This is our counteroffer. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s the best. And you know it.”
Mr. Hawthorne studied her for a long moment before nodding. “You drive a hard bargain, Miss Sinclair. But I like your confidence.” He signed the deal.
As he left, one of the senior executives muttered, “You really are Vivian’s sister.”
Ava smirked.
- Writer
