Chapter 5
1323 Words
"Emily!" James urgently shook her shoulder. After what felt like an eternity, Emily's eyes fluttered open.
"Quickly," she whispered, her voice weak. "Take me... take me to Harris Group."
The employee, visibly shaken, took a hesitant step back. "Ms. Wilson, Harris Group asked me to deliver a message."
"Spit it out! Are you trying to kill me?" James urged, his voice tight with impatience.
"I... I don't dare," the employee stammered.
Emily slammed her fist on the table, her eyes blazing. "Say it! I order you to say it right now. Don't leave out a single word."
The employee swallowed hard, their voice trembling. "They said they know you'll call, and they want me to tell you not to... not to waste your effort. They said you know what you did, and Harris Group will never forgive Wilson Group. This... this is just the beginning, not the end. From now on, they won't cooperate with any company that works with us."
Slap!
James backhanded the employee across the face. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
The employee clutched their burning cheek, tears welling in her eyes. She looked utterly pitiful and wronged. "That's what they said, sir. Not me."
Emily stared blankly ahead, the weight of the situation crushing her. "What did I do wrong? Why is Harris Group doing this to me?"
James, his mind racing, began to analyze the situation. "Emily, Harris Group was the company Aiden signed with. Do you think that kid might have been up to something? Maybe even lied about us to the Harris Group boss?"
Emily clenched her fists, a cold fury hardening her gaze. "Very possible. Aiden. I won't let you get away with this."
***
A few days later, the surgery was a success, and Aiden was recovering comfortably at home. That evening, Aiden's parents hosted Mandy for dinner. Before the meal, in Aiden's bedroom, Mandy browsed his antique collection, her fingers tracing the delicate curves of a blue-and-white porcelain vase. "Aiden," she murmured, "you've always loved collecting things. I didn't realize you'd accumulated so many beautiful pieces."
Aiden smiled wistfully. "It's been years since I've been back here. I hadn't realized how much I'd collected. It's a shame, though. All these years, I poured my heart and soul into Emily's company and had no time for my hobbies."
Mandy picked up a photo album from the table, her eyes falling on a picture of a young Aiden with a famous singer. "And this... is this a picture of you with the famous singer?"
"Yes," Aiden chuckled. "Back in college, I dabbled in songwriting. I even won first prize in a college songwriting competition. The singer discovered me and invited me to his company. But that wasn't my true ambition."
Mandy pointed to a stack of scripts. "And these scripts... these are the ones you wrote after you left home?"
Aiden nodded, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Yes."
The room, filled with the echoes of his past, seemed to stir a flood of memories within him. He sighed, a deep breath escaping his lips. "But I can't go back to the past."
Mandy's voice was gentle and reassuring. "We can't go back to the past, Aiden, but we can start doing the things we always wanted to do."
Aiden nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on his face. Just then, his mother's voice called from downstairs. "Aiden, Mandy, dinner's ready!"
At the dinner table, Sarah diligently served Aiden, heaping his plate with food. "Eat more, dear," she urged.
Aiden smiled faintly. "Mom, it's just that things weren't good with Emily. It's not like I was living on the streets."
Sarah sighed, her eyes filled with a mixture of relief and sadness. "Son, all these years you were gone, I worried every day. I worried you weren't eating well, sleeping well... and you hardly ever called home."
Aiden lowered his head slightly, a blush creeping onto his cheeks. "I was young and impulsive back then. I insisted on marrying her," he admitted, his voice low. He lifted his head, his gaze firm. "But now I've come to my senses. Emily... she was just one woman among many." He raised his wine glass, draining it in one long swallow.
"Good," Liam commented between bites, a hint of approval in his voice. "That's more like someone from our family."
Aiden turned to Mandy, a curious glint in his eyes. "Mandy, you seem different since you came back. Have you been involved in some major business deals lately?"
Mandy, still hesitant to reveal her true identity, deflected modestly. "I just started a small company. I make about a hundred thousand a month or so."
Liam raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Whoa. That's not bad at all."
Mandy smoothly steered the conversation in a new direction. "But seriously, Aiden, what are your plans for the future?"
Liam leaned forward, his voice earnest. "Aiden, come back. Dad's company needs an heir."
Aiden considered this, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. He knew it wasn't that simple. Inheriting Tate Corporation wouldn't be a walk in the park; navigating the complexities of numerous shareholders would be a challenge. If he wasn't up to the task, those seasoned businessmen could easily push him out.
"I want to do something I enjoy," Aiden replied, his voice firm but measured. "Dad, how about I gain some experience first, then I'll take over the Tate Corporation?"
Liam pondered this suggestion. "That's not impossible. Aiden, I have a subsidiary company. Why don't you try working there first?"
Aiden's eyes lit up. "Is it also in the antique business?"
Liam chuckled. "Your dad doesn't have any other skills. Besides antiques, I don't know anything else."
Aiden nodded, accepting the offer. "That's fine, then."
Mandy, seizing the opportunity, offered a suggestion with a bright smile. "Oh, right," she said. "Aiden, I have a friend who owns an auction house. They're holding a charity auction next week, with a lot of business tycoons attending. I could connect you, and you could contribute some goods?"
Sarah, however, voiced a cautious concern. "Mandy, we appreciate your offer, but about the auction..."
Mandy's smile faltered slightly, realizing her oversight. "Oh, I forgot! Mr. Tate, Mrs. Tate, your family owns the largest antique group in Veridonia, and you practically own the auction business here. I'm trying to teach the master how to carve!" She laughed lightly, self-deprecatingly.
Liam waved a dismissive hand. "No, no, I think it's a good idea. Our resources are our resources, and didn't Aiden just say he wants to make his own way? Although, I haven't heard about any charity auction next week."
Mandy played along, her eyes twinkling. "You're a big shot. It's normal that you wouldn't know about a small auction like this."
In truth, there was no such auction. Mandy, ever resourceful, planned to leverage her connections and resources to help Aiden launch his career by organizing a bespoke auction for him.
***
Meanwhile, at the Wilson Group, James burst into Emily's office, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. "Emily, I got word there's a charity auction next week. Bigwigs from every corner of the city will be there," he announced.
Emily's eyes narrowed, her mind already strategizing. "Will Harris Group be attending?"
"They should be," James confirmed.
Emily's voice was steely, her determination unwavering. "Aiden's been badmouthing us at Harris Group, and now we're blacklisted. I have to win that client back in person. So, figure out how to get us invitations. Even if we can't win back Harris Group, it'll be a golden opportunity to network with some seriously influential people."
James chuckled, rubbing his hands together suggestively. "As it happens, I know a guy who can get us those invitations, but..." he trailed off, his meaning clear.
Emily understood the unspoken request. "Don't worry. As long as we get those invitations, I'll pay whatever it takes," she said, her voice firm and resolute.
- Writer
