Chapter 4

During intermission, she went to the cafeteria to purchase a snack. As she headed back to class, a girl approached her with a friendly smile.

“I want to be friends with you. I admire you so much,” she said.

“Who are your parents?” she asked, curious.

“My dad is an accountant, and my mom is a doctor,” she replied.

Seraphina thought she might be wealthy, given her parents’ careers. “What’s your name?” she asked.

“Ava,” she said.

Seraphina decided to accept her as a friend but with conditions. “You must obey all my instructions and not mingle with anyone else,” she told her.

Ava agreed without hesitation. They returned to class, and she sat beside me. Sera hadn’t realized they were in the same class. Their friendship was going to be interesting, and everyone was curious about how they became friends on Seraphina's first day.

Meanwhile, at Radiant Treasures, Mr. Sterling, was busy in his office. He decided to investigate the incident that happened over the weekend. He checked the CCTV footage on his laptop but didn’t see any unfamiliar faces. He suspected it might be an internal issue and decided to focus on his work.

Miss Evelyn, Mr. Sterling's secretary, was reviewing documents on her laptop when she received a notification. She opened it and saw an anonymous message warning her to prepare for the downfall of their company.

“What! Who’s threatening us like that?” she asked rhetorically, her eyes widening in shock.

She debated whether to inform Mr. Sterling immediately or handle it discreetly. After a moment of contemplation, she decided to keep an eye on any suspicious activities and report to him if necessary.

School had just closed, and Seraphina was reminded of those dreadful days at her old school, standing in the scorching sun, waiting for the driver. She really needed to learn how t drive so that she can use her new car on her own.Growing impatient, she called her mom.

“I’m busy in town, Seraphina. The driver will come to pick you up,” she said.

Just then, Ava’s car pulled up in front of her.She rolled down the window and offered her a ride. “Need a lift?”

“Thanks, Ava, but my driver is on his way,” she replied, appreciating her kindness.

Finally, the driver arrived and picked Seraphina up at the school gate. When she got home, she was relieved to find the house empty, free from the usual barrage of questions about her day. She changed into something comfortable, grabbed some popcorn, and set up her own little cinema in the living room, immersing herself in her favorite movies.

She was thoroughly enjoying her relaxation when Mrs Vanessa came home. She greeted her with a hug, and she immediately asked for the details of Seraphina's day at school.

“I knew this was coming,” she thought, smiling to herself

“How was school, Seraphina? Did you make any new friends?” she asked, her eyes full of curiosity.

“Yes, Mom. I met a girl named Ava. She’s really nice,” she said, giving her mom a brief rundown of her day.

“That’s wonderful, dear. I’m glad you’re settling in,” she said, her face lighting up with a smile.

She told her that they welcomed her as soon as they heard her surname, Sterling.

Seraphina glanced at the clock, her brow furrowing with irritation. “Is Dad back from work yet?” she said with a worried voice.

Her mother shook her head, a hint of unease in her eyes. “Not yet, dear. It’s quite unlike him to be this late.”

Her phone buzzed with a call from her friends, Stephanie and Sophia.

She answered with a smile, grateful for the distraction, “ Hey you two! What's up?”

“Tell us everything about your new school!” Stephanie’s voice was eager, filled with curiosity.

Seraphina scoffed. “It’s a dump, just like I expected. But my surname carries a lot of weight here, so I’ll be running the place in no time. Those poor wretched students won’t know what hit them.”

Her friends laughed, though there was a nervous edge to their voices. “We knew you’d continue your legacy,” Sophia said, trying to sound supportive.

“So, how are things going in my absence?” Seraphina asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Don’t worry,” Sophia reassured her, though she sounded uncertain. “We’re still holding down the fort. The school is in good hands.”

“Good,” Seraphina said curtly. “Make sure it stays that way.”

At Radiant Treasures, the secretary knocked softly on the CEO’s door. “Mr. Sterling, it’s getting late. We need to close up for the night.”

Mr. Sterling sighed, glancing at the clock. “I wish I could stay here all night, Margaret. I’m worried about what might happen if I leave.”

Evelyn offered a reassuring smile. “The security team will handle everything, sir. You don’t need to worry.”

Reluctantly, Mr. Sterling began packing up his things. “Make sure the CCTV cameras are functioning properly,” he instructed.

“I’ll take care of it,”Evelyn replied confidently.

Mr. Sterling gave a nod of appreciation. “Thank you, Evelyn. I trust your judgment.”

As he gathered his belongings, he couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. The recent issues at the company had left him on edge, and the thought of leaving it unattended for the night was almost unbearable. But he knew he had to trust his team.

Finally, he made his way to the parking lot, the cool night air doing little to calm his nerves. The drive home was a blur, his mind racing with thoughts of the company’s future.

When he arrived home, it was well past midnight. The house was silent, save for the soft footsteps of the senior maid who greeted him at the door. “Good evening, Mr. Sterling. Would you like something to eat?”

He shook his head, his exhaustion palpable. “No, thank you. I’m too tired.”

He trudged upstairs, his footsteps heavy. As he entered the bedroom, his wife stirred, her voice soft with concern. “You’re home late,” she murmured. “What kept you?”

He sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t want to leave the company. There’s so much uncertainty right now.”

She reached out, placing a comforting hand on his arm. “Everything will be fine, darling. You need to rest.”

He nodded, grateful for her support. “You’re right. Thank you.”

As he lay down, he felt a small measure of peace. Despite the challenges, he knew he wasn’t facing them alone.

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