0010

A WEEK LATER

The air in the company was tensed and thick as those knife could cut through it. The staffs were busy with whatever they are doing and those who think they have enough time on their table were busy hushing words amongst themselves —none of them dare speak out loud.

Dela Cruz groups already has new owner and it will be welcoming its owner that day, this was enough to keep everyone on their edge. The fact that they don't know when he/she will be arriving caused more tension.

Different rumors were already flying around about the new owner, everyone tends to have one or two to say about the owner whenever they manage to gather —mostly, during their lunch break.

One rumor that seemed to be the most popular was that the new owner was someone who had a grudge against the Dela Cruz family, and was looking to take revenge. This rumor had caused a lot of fear and unease among the staff, who were now even more wary of the unknown person who was about to become their boss.

"What do you mean by revenge, eh?" One of the staffs questioned, her lips quivering slightly. "If the owner had the groups bought for revenge, does that mean we aren't spared?"

"Hey, quit your gibberish. Who buys company for revenge?" Another blurted out, irritated by his colleagues sense of reasoning. "To talk more of a group with three companies running under its name!"

"You're both right..." A third person interjected, nodding her head thoughtfully. "But I think we're all getting a little too worked up about this. We don't even know who the new owner is yet. Maybe we're just scaring ourselves for no reason."

"But still, I can't help but wonder..." The first person trailed off, her voice shaking slightly. "Ah, I don't want to think about it."

"Well, seems everyone has different news here because what I heard completely differs from all these." The older one amongst the team sprout out and took a sip from her coffee afterward.

"Really...?" The ones that were curious in whatever she has to say blurted out, unable to hold back their peace. "What is it that you hear, huh, Cara?"

"Well, according to my source, I heard that Mr. Snow's long lost heir who turn out to be richer than his father had come back to claim what was supposed to be his in the first place." The so called Cara told them with so much enthusiasm.

"Pfft... Long lost heir, huh?" Another named Brody enunciated with a scoff. "Don't be so delusional, Cara. Everyone knows The Snow's only had one daughter before their death who as well turn out to be dead too. Who fed you with lies?"

"Lies..." Cara chuckled nervously, trying not to feel embarrassed. "I'm telling you, this is real. As though you don't know those rich people and how they operate, especially the ones that needs a successor; they go extra lengths to get what they want."

"Ah, yeah, true..." Another was quick to accept Cara's theory. "With the whole Snow's family wiped out, a rise up of an unexpected heir would only make the whole story complete and worth everything."

"I see. You've all read tons of comics and web novels that made it hard for you all not to differentiate between the fictional world from the non fiction." Brody uttered, shaking his head slowly. "I expected more from all of you, seriously!"

"I'm telling you, Brody, this is nothing but the truth." Cara said, still insisting. "Things like this always happen in the real world too!"

Just then, someone walked in on them and everyone turned to look, quickly clamping their mouth shut. There, standing before them, was a tall, dark-haired woman, wearing a sharp suit and holding few files in her hand.

She looked around the room as every occupant in the room hold their breath, already expecting an earful from her for their petty gossip.

"It's lunch over but I can see that each one of you has enough time on their table for you all to be gossiping like this." She reprimanded, her voice far from friendly. "—yet, none of you have submitted the work assigned to you."

They quickly bowed in apology. "We're sorry, Ms. Michelle..." They uttered before dispatching, each going back to their position and resuming their work.

And just like that, the air in the room shifted, from one of light-hearted chatter to one of intense focus and hard work. Ms. Michelle watched as the employees got back to their tasks, and she couldn't help but feel a little impressed.

They may have been gossiping a moment ago, but they were clearly passionate about their work, and she could appreciate that; if they could keep up this way, then their team would never be having problems with whosoever the new owner may be.

Just then, the main doors to the company building swung open, and everyone stopped what they were doing to look up. They all held their breath, waiting to see who would walk through the doors but what they saw was the last thing they expected.

A woman, who looked mid twenties, walked in with two men on her trail. Most staffs at the company recognized him; of course, he's States most ranked doctor, Andy but the other man's identity is not confirmed as well as the woman too.

Murmur was heard amongst the staffs as the woman walked past them towards the elevator. No one had suspect her to be the chairwoman of Dela Cruz group, as well as the new owner —maybe because she looks younger than her age. Even her aura wasn't the one to compete with and every steps she takes were graceful.

The woman walked straight to the board room, the other man beside Andy, opened the door on her behalf. Immediately her presence was sensed, the murmur that seems to break off in the board room ceased at once with everyone's attention on her.

She bowed slightly to everyone present in the door and walked towards the seat that had already been preserved for her.

Xavier, Andy's father, and one of the oldest amongst the executives present cleared his throat to speak but paused as he stared at the woman who had managed to steal the show at short period time. The more he look at her, the realization she does look familiar; as though he has known her for a long time.

The woman, sensing the discomfort in the room, proceeded to address the meeting instead. She took off her eyeglasses, swerving her hair backward —her reaction was enough to stir a fraction and it did as many of the executives gasped in shock.

"Ms. Lisa Snow...?"

"L -Lisa?"