Chapter 6
1362 Words
My prayers weren’t answered.
Ingrid has been the biggest pain in my ass. Especially the day I showed up for the board meeting, only two days after my assault, all bruised and battered still.
“My dearest Snow! What happened to you?” Ingrid gasped as soon as I entered the conference room.
Her fake concern not fooling me anymore.
“Oh, you haven’t heard? I was assaulted the night before last.”
Many murmurs are heard throughout the room. I would be very intimidated if it weren’t for Princeton’s reassuring presence.
“Miss White, I’m so sorry this happened to you. Has the person responsible for this been caught?” Mr. Barns ask, walking over to me and taking my hand gently.
I’ve grown up knowing most of these men. Some had become great family friends over the years, and their concern fills my heart with joy.
“One of them has been caught, but the police are still looking for one suspect.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ingrid flinch at my words.
“Dear heaven! Who could possibly want to hurt you, my dear? You wouldn’t hurt a fly on a wall! It’s outrageous!” He bellows, followed by many of the other men agreeing.
“That is precisely why I’m hiring bodyguards to protect her until she is one hundred percent safe,” Princeton says, getting up from his chair, tying the button of his suit jacket.
“You are?!” Ingrid asks, faltering in her fakeness, but readjusting herself quickly.
“You are. That is a wonderful idea. I know exactly who could be perfect for the job.” She says, playing with the golden bangle on her wrist.
“That won’t be necessary, I’ve already got it covered.”
“Oh? You have? Already?” She says, raising an eyebrow.
“I have. I will never let Snow face any danger alone.”
“But she’s got me. She is not alone” Ingrid says, making me clench my teeth.
What a load of bullshit!
“Nevertheless, Snow has always been a very dear friend of mine, and I will make sure she is safe. Especially since her attack came so soon after her father's untimely death, lord blesses his soul.”
“You are right. She is pure and innocent and needs to be protected. Lord know what happened that night.”
“What are you insinuating, stepmother?” I ask, unable to contain my anger.
“Well, from the look of you, something serious occurred. And the bruises around your throat, they look like hand prints. What else could have happened to such a beautiful and innocent young lady?” She says, looking me over.
Her words affect me as if she’s pouring molten lava on my skin.
I hate her! I absolutely HATE her!
“Not that it’s anyone's business, nor that it would matter if it did, but the man that attacked me did not succeed in his attempt. He did get close, too close, but thank god someone found me and save me from him!” I say, angry tears falling down my cheeks.
“Snow, you have no explanation to give any of us. We are here for you, as your father was here for all of us in our own times of need in the past. He was a great man, and you are just as wonderful a young lady.” Mr. Barns says, making my chest tighten, but in a good way.
“Thank you, Mr.Barns. I truly appreciate your kind words. Toward me and my father. He would be proud to hear you say such things. He cared for you all dearly. He might have been the owner of this company, but he treated his employees as if they were family. And that is what I want to do as well.”
“What do you mean?” Ingrid asks, wiping her head so quickly in my direction I thought it might fall off her neck.
“What I mean is, I will take all the necessary steps it takes to learn everything and anything that is needed for me to take over this company,” I say, squaring my shoulders, looking at each and every one of the board members.
“I have spoken to my father's lawyer, and he confirmed that my father gave me his share of the company as part of his last will and testament. Princeton has agreed to be CEO by interim until I am ready to take over on my own. As he said earlier, he will be my mentor until I am ready to take over.”
“You can’t be serious?! You are only 19! You can’t possibly manage such a big company on your own!” Ingrid bellows, earning a few curious glances for her outburst.
“I am. And no, I am not alone. As I say, Princeton will help me along the way. We are already looking into an online business, marketing, and management classes. I want to learn hands-on while taking classes. Going to university or college would prevent me from doing just that, which is why online learning is the choice we made”
“We? You haven’t spoken to me about any of this? I didn’t even know you were assaulted!” Ingrid sneers, rolling her eyes.
“We, as in Princeton and I”
I don’t bother telling her that Gregory was the one who suggested online learning. After my outburst and dizzy spell the other night, I finally calmed down enough to find a solution to some of our problems.
I’m surprised at how much both Sloan and Gregory have been helpful. They barely know me, but they are sneaking their way into my heart fast.
After a few more words with the board members, they all agreed that learning while working was a great idea. I’m so happy it’s going in my favor.
Ingrid, with difficulty, stayed the entire time.
I wanted to laugh, knowing this was angering her deeply.
Once I was back safe and sound in my apartment, Gregory left Bash in charge while he when to the coroner's office to get the final result of the Hunstmen’s autopsy.
“Why don’t you go and take a nap for a while? I’ll make you something for dinner.” Bash says, making me smile.
“Maybe I should. Thank you.” I say, appreciating his offer.
Walking into my bathroom to take my nightgown from the back of the door, I turn toward the mirror.
Stepping closer, I inspect my bruises one by one. Flashed of the Hunstment’s hand crosses my mind, making me shiver.
Running my hand through my long raven locks, I see Ingrid's condescending smirk while she pulled a stand. The Huntsmen pulled me backward and into the alley.
Anger fills my heart, and hatred toward my hair.
I used to love the length, but now, I hate it with passion!
With resolved steps, I walk out and make my way to the kitchen, opening a few drawers until I found what I was looking for.
“Snow? What are you doing with those?”
Not bothering to answer Bash’s question, I return to the bathroom, followed by a worried Bash.
Without hesitation, I take a stand of hair and cut it out with the scissor I took from the kitchen.
“What are you doing, Snow? Stop!” Bash yells, trying to get the scissors out of my hand, but I take a step back.
“No! I’m not stopping until it’s all gone! Do you know how much trouble this stupid hair has gotten me in the last few weeks!? I want them gone!” I yell back, cutting another strand.
“Look, I don’t know every that’s happened to you, and I can’t possibly begin to understand how you feel, but cutting off your hair won’t change anything.” He says, making me angrier.
“We’ll see about that!”
No longer listening to his plea for me to stop, I keep cutting until I’m satisfied
- Writer
