Chapter 7

Willow shook his head. “If only you knew the games in the business world, your company wouldn’t have gone bankrupt. There are other benefits attached to the offer but I won’t disclose them now. You can be stubborn and watch me take over Luxi Venture and also have you as mine.”

His words made her stomach rumble like it was tied into a knot. She felt she had failed her parent completely but she was never going to act weak and vulnerable before Willow.

“Enough of the talk, I will never marry you not even in my dreams. Accompany us back to Luxi Ventures and revoke the order.”

“If you insist. However, if I get a negative response from you, by four o’clock in the evening tomorrow you have to bid your company farewell.

Ten minutes later, Willow, Victor, and Nita arrived at Luxi Ventures. Willow’s gaze scanned through the vicinity as he saw a large number of people murmuring and grumbling.

Nita and Victor couldn’t believe their eyes. With each passing minute, it seemed ill luck was hovering over Luxi Ventures and the owners.

Nita crossed her hands and placed it on her head. Victor stared clueless at the sight before him as fear and pain engulfed him. Willow remained indifferent.

After so much blabbing, she was able to convince Willow to come with them. Now that he was present, it didn’t solve the matter.

“Won’t you do something?”

Nita asked in a pitiful tone as she looked at the trucks and trailers that were carrying all the pieces of machinery that were owned by Luxi Ventures.

“There is nothing I can do, my dear.”

“You are wicked. You sealed the place earlier so you could send people to move our machinery out.” Nita moved her hands from her head. “What exactly do you gain from causing us pain and trouble?”

“Find the answer yourself.” Willow winked at her.

“After taking all this sophisticated machinery, I know beyond doubt that it will be enough to clear the debt we owe you and you can keep the change. With that, you will stay away from us forever.”

“Do you think I am responsible for all this?”

“Yes! You are the inconsiderate person I know. I can say it anywhere, you are behind all this.”

“Alright, anything you say.” Willow looked at the trucks and trailers that were gradually making their way out of the premises.

There was more to behold, a small car with tinted windows came into view the moment the trailers and truck zoomed off.

The car drove slowly to where Nita, Willow, and Victor stood.

“Hello, Victor. We meet again.” The window slowly came down as a deep voice rang out from the car.

“You?” Victor pointed at the man.

Nita was confused and clueless. What did her uncle have to do with the man? She wondered why her uncle looked more troubled than ever as he rubbed his temples and gritted his teeth.

“Who is he?” Nita asked.

From the way the man looked at Victor, it was obvious that something wasn’t right. Victor could barely look at the man’s eyes.

Victor gave an exasperated breath. Sweat beads began to form on his forehead.

“He is Felix by name and works with MACON Machines. Nita, I need you to understand that all my intentions were for the company to function well. I did not expect it to end like this.”

What was he referring to? The company was in a huge mess. What was Nita yet to understand?

“Victor, I will not take further steps against you but be warned. You might not be lucky next time.”

“O-Okay.” Nita looked at the man in the car before turning to her uncle. “What exactly do you mean? Just let the cat out of the bag.”

“When your father handed the company over to me, I noticed all the machines were outdated and to make our production of great standard, I had to opt for new ones.”

“Yeah, I remember you once mentioned that to me. But, what does it have to do with all this?”

“I got all the machinery on lease,” Victor said with his tone filled with regret.

Nita widened her eyes. “Lease?!”

“I was able to pay them the agreed amount monthly. However, since the company has been facing a lot of financial crisis, I could no longer be faithful to the agreement. According to the conditions on the agreement document, they have the right to take back the machinery if I default on payment.”

Nita wondered if she was dreaming.

Tears began to roll down Nita’s cheeks. She thought about the words that she would say to the man so he could give them more time to pay up, but she didn’t find the right words. They were dealing with the debt they owed Willow and now this! The occurrence was too much for Nita to bear at once.

“Leasing all those machinery was a wrong idea. How and where do we start from? No machinery to kick-start another business. How did things even get this worse?”

“Nita, I know I have failed you but I did it for the company. Then we had investors and business partners who wanted everything to be top-notch, I had to also get the best machinery to get the job done. Most of them eventually left the company when the crisis began.”

Victor sighed. “Believe me, I did not expect it to end this way. I am sorry.”

The apology was of no use.

Nita yelled. “We’ve lost it all. It was wrong of you to have taken such a decision without letting me know.”

Nita took some steps away from Victor and sighed. Just as she was about to walk away, a cold voice rang out.

“Where do you think you are going?”

Nita halted and gazed at the person. It was then she recalled that Willow was present all along.

“Please, I have had enough. Don’t add to my pain.”

“Your pain?” Willow laughed. “Have you forgotten you accused me of being behind the lockdown of your company? I hope you know that you have committed an offense and there is a punishment for it.”

“Punishment? Did I get you arrested? I only accused you not that I took a harsh step against you.”

“Your words were more torturing than any step you would have taken.”

Victor looked at Willow. “Please don’t punish her. She said all that out of pain, anger, and frustration.”

Willow stared at Victor. “While you were speaking to me respectfully and pleading, she was disrespectful. She deserves whatever punishment she gets.

Nita folded her arms. “You are the only enemy I know of. How on earth was I supposed to think that another person is responsible? I have the freedom of speech after all.”

Willow smiled. “Freedom, you say. You need to feel what it’s like to be in bondage, with that, you should be able to curtail your speech.”

“How I exercise my right to speak freely is none of your business. Let me be.” Nita warned.

Willow’s expression became colder as he said.

“Choose your punishment wisely. Should I sue you for false accusations and defamation of character? Or should I do it my way?”