Chapter 5

Logan POV

I was dealing with urgent matters when i stopped by my brother's office to find him bemoaning with his inept son.

"We must curry favor with that proxy,our financials keep worsening." of course they are giiving control of his hares to that incompetent who just squanders, the Pierce's group stays stable only because of my hand along with my other ventures.

They'd better not mess with my ambitious aims, or i'll cast them out myself.

" I hear the lady's about your age, Julian, a longtime Jasper's protege, although she's never been public.'

Julian: "protege? is that what they call whores now? she must have been his lover. No worries, I know how to handle those kinds of sluts; she'll be eating out of my hand soon enough."- The notion of a lady on the board is intolerable, but our business with the Hale's neccesitates equality, limiting my say. worse still, I must placate that... lady. Likely another inept who'll skedaddle sooner rather than hang around.

We're all on pins and needles over who will take the helm as the new executive of the company. I can hardly fathom that my firm is thrown into turmoil by a mere lady.

At last, she emerges from the elevator. I must concede, she is strikingly beautiful, and her mere presence incites an aggravating sense of unease in me. I grow even more incensed as i watch the evident desire to claim her mirrored on everyone's faces. This is exactly what i mean; she's just arrived, and everyone is falling over themselves to garner her attention. This lady is nothing but trouble.

To soothe these inept fools, I'm the first to speak up. They maintain their distance as i approach.

"Miss Hale, welcome. I'm Logan Pierce." despite her demeanor, i detect a hint of fear and aversion from her the moment our gazes meet and my voice reaches his ears, ( where have i seen this lady before? her stare is...). She stays behind one of her bodyguards, hardly attempting even a pretense of politeness- not your typical lady prototype.

"Thank you! which office is mine?" she shows no interest in the other executives, especially not me. Who does she think she is?

Julian: " this way, Miss Hale. how was your journey?" she doesn't move until her guardian does. it's as if he is ensuring no one gets close to his boss. what's with this lady? he pauses, i presume due to the murmurs of those presnt.

"Let's be clear, i only care about safeguarding the Hale family's interests, and i'll mercilessly wield all my authority to bring down anyone who even dare try to cross me," her words are heavily laced with anger and scorn, palpable almost. I had suspicions something was amiss with other ventures, but is she suggesting we're embezzling from the Hales.

" Watch your words. are you accusing us of something?"

" To accuse you, i would need evidence and , were it in my posession, the guilty parties would be already arrested and stripped of all prestiege and pennies. I'm simply clarifying the stakes because i'm certain many assume I'm just another naive and gullible lady— but they couldn't be further from the truth, if you will excuse me". I must confess, I never anticipated being addressed in such manner. Beyond my own shock, the looks on these fool's faces are unmatched. It seems the tenure of this lady might turn out to be interesting after all.

Miley's POV

I was thankful Dave kept me at bay. Another thing I owe to Aiden. Facing Logan and that brief clash with him nearly sapped all the strength I'd gathered these past days just to stand here today.

Every fibre of my being reacted to his proximity. How is it that I reacted to him? I know the memories will never fade, but it should be as lifeless as the me from all those years ago.

Julian: " Here we are, Miss Hales. May I call you Miley? We are the same age, and it feels odd to be so formal." I really can not stand this man ,and just for what he did in the past, but because his intentions are glaringly obvious.

" No, you may not. I am Miss Hales to you and everyone at this company. I have no interest in making friends. Address me solely for work-related matters. Is that clear?" His discomfort with my stance is blatant. He's used to no lady resisting him. I can hardly believe I once found someone like him appealing.

Julian: " Very clear, if you will excuse me"

" One more thing", He stopped to look at me.

" I need all the information on the dealings with Pierce's group— financial statements, transactions for the past years, everything."

Julian: "With all due respect, those matters are not within my purview,but rather with..."

" Then speak to whoever is responsible. I need those documents on my desk by the end of today," I said, closing the door on his face before he could finish.

Ready to call my children, there's a knock at the door.

'" My name is Eva Ortiz, I am your assistant. Mr. Aiden sent me ahead of time , one week prior to your arrival." My brother truly thinks of everything.

" Come in! " She's quite young and attractive. it seems we are around the same age.

" Please, have a seat, Eva. I suppose you have something for me?"

Eva: " Yes, Miss Hales. following Mr. Aiden instructions, I have gathered all the information I believed you would find useful. it's organized by company, date and project. Also, I've requested the necessary documentation for the investigation for the investigation from all connected companies."

" I am impressed. You've done an excellent job; this will save me a lot of time."

Eva: " Thank you , Miss Hales. That's part of my job."

" According to this, two companies still haven't submitted their paperwork. What happened?"

Eva: " I'm on it, Miss Hales.

Gilbert and the Majestic company are the only ones yet to comply.

" Please handle it. Tell them their deadline has passed and they won't get a minute more. They will be penalties for non-compliance."

Eva:" Understood Miss Hales. Excuse me." She left seemingly fearful. it's the stress taking it's toll, only twenty minutes in this place and I need a little life before pressing on.

I reached for my phone and dialed my kids. Jaden answered swiftly, both appearing on the screen, Kiara clutching her stuffed toy while greeting me.

Kiara: " Mummy, are you coming home soon ?"

" My love, I wish I could be there to give lots of hugs and kisses but I can't come just yet."

Jaden: " You won't be here for lunch then?". I've never missed a meal with my kids unless they were at the nursery.

" I promise I will be there for lunch. I miss you terribly."

Kiara: " See? Mummy will come, Jaden . you said she couldn't, Mummy"

"For you both, always. I love you. I must get back to work now, behave yourselves."

Kiara and Jaden: " Bye, Mummy." A knock at the door— Dave again.

" What's the issue?"

Dave: "Mr. Pierce was here. knowing you were occupied with your children, I informed him you were unavailable . if I've overstepped ,I apologize."

" No, you did well. Thank you." Which Pierce was it, Logan?

Dave: " Excuse me, Miss Hales."

"Dave?"

Dave: " Yes, Miss Hales?"

" Which Pierce came by?"

Dave: " He claimed to be Maurice, Julian's father, the president's elder brother." Atleast it wasn't Logan. But what does that man want with me? he's never been a pleasant figure.

" Alright, well done."

Turning to my work , I can't if I want to be with my kids at lunchtime.

it's 11:30 now— just enough time to make it home.

Eva: " Miss Hales, the president requests I remind you of the executive meeting that starts in 15 minutes."

"Fifteen minutes? impossible. Lunchtime is scared to me, and I will not delay it for anything. Draft a report, please."

Eva: " As you wish, Miss Hales."

Dave: " Where shall we go, ma'am?"

" Home, Dave. They're waiting for me."

Dave: " Yes Ma."

Logan POV

"Miss Hales won't be able to attend the meeting; I will represent her." Her secretary informs me, visibly anxious. What sort of person is she? Are those corridor whispers true? Her lunch hour is sacred but ours are not? She's a lady, no better or worse than the rest, then. Her personal matters must take precedence over a company she pledged to guard. Her intentions are blatantly self serving.