Chapter 12
Today was a very important day.
| said to myself all through the morning that | had went about my routine. From taking a shower to getting
dressed, it was all | told myself.
Today was the day that the company held an official sit down meeting with shareholders amongst other potential
investors who wanted to buy in to the company. It was all in hopes of stabilising the stock price and getting it to
a decent rate. If the demand for investment increases than that would prove beneficial for the future of the
company making it desirable.
| didn’t even want to consider what would happened if the opposite case prevailed. It was all positive thoughts
this morning. No matter how much my fears began whispering doubt in my head, | shut it off.
| did my face up just enough to look fresh and presentable. The stormy grey pencil skirt that | had worn sinched
in at my waist where a black button front shirt had been tucked in neatly. | added a neutral shade of I*p stain to
my I*¥ps before applying a few sprits of my perfume.
“You got this. It will all go as well as it can.’ | convinced myself then slid on a pair of heels and left my dressing
room..
It was still a little early and Hayley should wake up any moment now making it possible for us to enjoy breakfast
together out on to the back terrace making the most of the excellent weather while it lasted.
was once
The move in to hthat my grandfather's was an easy one. It didn’t feel like a transition that needed to be
adapted to, instead it had felt as natural as ever. Even Hayley had settled in well in to the room which had been
right across from mine. It was ample enough for her equipment yet warm enough that it didn’t feel like a hospital
facility.
| heard the sheets rustling in her room once | stepped out in to the hall way and | didn’t hesitate for even a
moment to enter in to her room. Her eyes were open and, judging by the look of frustration on her face, | knew
that she was awake for a little bit now.
It was one of those days were the mornings were harder for her because her legs. wouldn't cooperate with her.
“Good morning, my little princess.” | greeted her gently not wanting to overwhelm her.
Hayley squealed conveying her frustration. “Mama, my legs are not moving with me.”
that she felt and it tugged at
Her sleepy voice was over shadowed by the helplessness are n
my heart.
Chapter 12
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“I know baby but that’s why I'm here. | cto get you so we can have breakfast together. The chef made
pancakes with chocolate chips. They're your favourite.” | tried to distract her while moving the wheel chair closer
to her bed.
| saw her eyes lighten up at the mention of pancakes and chocolate chips and | took the chance to swoop her up
and hug her tightly. | held her for a few moments longer before 1 settled her in to the wheel chair.
“Can | also have ssyrup on it?” She tested the waters as | wheeled her out of the room “Just a little bit.” She
quickly added before | said no.
“Only if you eat the berries and fruit with it.” | negotiated and she pondered for a short while before agreeing.
Despite her challenges, Hayley was a joy to have as a child. Her sharp wit on sdays. shockedbut | knew
that she had to inherit sthing from her father.
A father that didn’t even know about her existence at all. My hands tightened around the handles at the
recollection of how blatantly Dante had refused my request to speak to him in private so | could tell him about
being pregnant.
It was a shthat he missed his shot and | didn’t intend on changing things at all. Hayley lived a good life with
out his presence in it and | wasn’t about to make it known to him that he had a daughter. Knowing Dante in his
current state of mind which was out to getat every turn, | didn’t want a custody battle. It was the last thing
Hayley herself needed.
As | drove to the office, | braced myself for the outslaugh of reported that would be present but the publicity was
good for the company. According to Adam, of the public knows that things are changing with a once thriving
company, it will spark interest and gain more investors.
When | had reached the office, | was surprised to have found it dead with not a single investor or camera flash in
sight. My phone buzzed and | dig in to my bag for it to find an incoming call from Adam.
“Adam, hey.” | greeted him.
“Sophia, where are you? The investors have began arriving and you're not here yet.” The confusion had me
frowning./
“I'm at Crawford's banquet hall. Didn't you send out an email saying that the venue was changed?” He asked
sounding baffled.
| did not make any change to any venue and least of all shifting the entire venue to Dante's banquet hall.
14:27 Sat, 27 Janu
Chapter 12
“No, I did no such thing.” But | knew exactly who had done this. “It was a set up, Adam. Dante sent out an email
without my consent.” My anger began to rise at how meddling
he was.
“What?! The email was sent yesterday and | knew it couldn’t be but I thought you had a good reason for
changing venues so | didn’t question it.” Adam explained appalled at what Dante had done.
“I can’t believe he did such a thing. He had no right what so ever to interfere.” | seethed.
“Dear go d, the man really is menace.” He sighed but then inhaled. “In any case, just get over here. I'm waiting
for you on the parking lot so we can enter together.” He informedbut | wanted to know if the turn out was at
we had hoped it would be.
“Are there any potential investors present?” | questioned and Adam chuckled lightly.
“Cand see for yourself, Sophia.” The glee in his tone was enough to have my spirits rise up.
When | had gotten to the Crawford banqueting hall, my jaw dropped at the scene on front of me. The parking lot
was full and the number of people present and being ushered in to the building was thrilling. More people meant
interest and that is what | needed at present.
With the eargerness bubbling inside me, | stepped out of my car and smoothed my blouse and pencil skirt before
finding Adam's car a few spaces away from mine.
“Not a bad turn out.” He grinned atas we walked to the entrance where reporters were working their
cameras.
“Not bad at all. However, | don’t know why Dante moved the venue with out any communication. He has no right
to do such a thing despite him being a major investor.” My mood was dampened further when | caught sight of
Dante and Pheobe at the entrance doors welcoming guests as if it were their event to control.
“I think it's a clear as day, Sophia. Adam threwa sideward glance and | raised a brow at him.
“It is clear that the man wanted to have every thing under his close watch. Especially after the bet you two have
struck, he is now more involved in the company than ever.” | groaned at what he said since it did sound like
Dante.
The prideful, arrogant man was not going to letwin so easily or not until he knew exactly how | had secured
my win.
“He is an investor not the owner. He had no right to meddle.” | gritted my teeth together as we got closer.
Chapter 12
Pheobe had spottedin the distance and she strategically placed her hand on Dante’s chest before smugly
smirking at me.
“True as that may be, it works out in your favour whether he realises it or not. People are always watching the
moves of a company’s current investors. If they see that the current investors, especially a major one, is being
retained then they all bite the bait.” | nodded slowly taking in the people that showed up and | knew that Adam
was right.
Dante thought that he could ruinby changing the venue, perhaps make it seem like | was so unprofessional
by switching locations at the last minute but all it did was show his interest to the public and it would work out
well for me. His irrational judgement worked out to my benefit.
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The camera flashes draggedout of my thoughts and remindedthat we were now in the public eye. |
recomposed my face concealing what ever anger had lingered. and smiled professionally for the cameras.
My eyes had locked with Dante and my heart did that stu pid thing where it felt like | was falling but I ignored it.
He flasheda challenging glare before he looked at Adam and clenched his jaw tightly.
Adam pulledcloser to his side knowing exactly what he was doing and | smirked at. Dante seeing his eyes
narrow to slits.
“Miss Miller! Miss Miller!” The reporters all called out toto speak in to the many. mics shoved in my face.
“When are you and Mr Huxley going to tie the knot? We would love to witness a power couples union.” One of
the bright blue eyes reporters asked excitedly like she rooted for Adam and | as end game.
Adam chuckled heartily besideand | smiled ever conscious of the watchful eyes.
“Perhaps sooner than you might think.” Adam said vaguely and that: of questions to which we simply avoided
and asked for more professional questions.
a stream
“What caused the last minute change of the venue?” Asked the bald headed make at the front.
Adam gave my arm a firm squeeze but | looked to Dante who's eyes shined with anticipation of what | was going
to say. He was probably hoping onnot being able to contain my anger at his move but | was going to one up
him.
“As you all know that Mr Crawford is a major investor in my company. We thought it only fitting to host the event
here, an idea that was entirely his, and | agreed. After all, Deluxe Enterprises is known for maintaining excellent
relations with their investors.” | darted my eyes to Dante and saw that he was no impressed since his own plan
had
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Chapter 12
backfired against him.
A few more questions were asked before we had to be mindful of tand refuse to answer any more until later.
As Adam and | entered the banqueting hall, Pheobe looked expectantly at Adam but we didn’t even stop to
speak to them. Instead, Adam leaned in to whisper nonesense on my ear just to irritate the both of them and it
worked wonderfully.
Dante was clearly in a horrible mood by the twe all had taken our places but his gaze had followedall
throughout the meeting. | didn’t even have to look in his direction to know it because his gaze weighed heavy on
my person and | found it unnerving.
He appeared to be specially more annoyed when Adam was next toor speaking toor touchingin any
way possible. What a hypocrite he was. The man literally made his choice years ago yet here he was acting like
he had sclaim of ownership