Chapter 5

Julia’s POV

At first, there was silence, just a brief pause. Then, she stuttered. “You’re… you are going to the company? Today?” Acting shocked and surprised, maybe even afraid.

“Yes.” I responded.

I could picture her right then. 

She inhaled sharply before speaking again, this time more carefully. “Are you sure that’s necessary?”  She took a step forward. “I mean, there’s really no need to stress yourself now… No need to rush into anything.”

I could feel the nervous energy in her voice, the way she was trying desperately to steer me away. But I wasn’t having it.

In my previous life, I had been blind to Scarlett’s true nature. While I was busy chasing after Alex, she was busy embezzling funds from my father’s company, slowly draining it dry. By the time I realized what she was doing, it was too late. She tried to control the company so that her son could have it. She was too greedy to see me control the company all by myself. Also, Scarlett worked hand in hand with Alex to see that everything is taken from me.

This time, things would be different. I wouldn’t let her have her way. I would protect my father’s legacy.

Scarlet quickly stepped forward, her voice sharp with surprise. “You’ve never understood business matters. You are still young and I advise you to stay out of it.”

I could hear the arrogance in her words, the same arrogance that had allowed her to steal from my company without a second thought. But today, I wasn’t the naïve daughter she had taken advantage of.

I met her gaze without flinching. “Actually, I majored in finance, both in undergrad and graduate school. So, I’m more than qualified to be there. You have nothing to worry about.”

Her words caught in her throat. She blinked, opening her mouth to respond but failing to find anything to say. The smugness faltered on her face, replaced by confusion and, perhaps, a hint of fear.

I didn’t give her a chance. I simply turned on my heel.

Now, things would be different.

I entered Julison Technology Enterprises again, dressed in a pink trouser suit and a black heel and my hair packed in a ponytail with my little makeup that made me look even more beautiful. My father has named this company using the four first letter of my name “Juli” and the three last letters of his name “son”. His name was Wilson. 

When I stepped off the elevator and walked into the executive lobby, a few employees shot me curious looks, some whispering under their breath. 

“She’s finally here.” Said one of them.

“I wonder what she’s here for.” Said another.

“She lost everything including her marriage.” 

“She’s left with nothing now.”

I didn’t care.

I was here to take it all back.

But as I reached the door, I froze. There he was, Alex, standing by the window with that same smug look on his face. I wonder why he is here. 

“Look at who we have here.” He mocked, stepping toward me.

His words hit me harder than I expected. 

Then  I heard my name. 

“Julia.” With a smirk, he strolled towards me.

He is now standing a few feet away, dressed in his tailored black suit, his tie slightly loosened like he’s just come from a meeting..

“Our brave queen is here,” he said, voice laced with mockery. Then, with a slow, deliberate tilt of his head, “Why are you here for me?” He added.

I clenched my fists.

He let out a low chuckle, stepping closer. “Finally realized your mistake, huh? So, what is it? A heartfelt apology? Begging for a second chance?”

I met his gaze, steady without saying a word to him.

“Now you finally realized I am the air you breath?”

I was beginning to feel irritated by his words “Stop it already, you really think I’d come all this way for you? Enough of your imagination.”

My answer is immediate, firm. “I have work to do here.”

I didn’t bother explaining myself. I don’t owe him that. Instead, I glance down at my phone, checking the time. “I don’t have time for this,” I said.

“You should leave." I requested. He smirked, folding his both arm across each other before giving me a reply.

“Leave huh?” A short mocking laugh escaped his lips.

“Seems you’ve forgotten. My family is part of the shareholders in this company.” 

We stayed silent for a few seconds. Not ready to listen to any more of his cruel words, I excused myself, heading towards my office face. 

I glanced past him at the chaotic office space. Piles of papers littered my desk. Ignoring Alex, I turned to one of the assistants nearby. “Please clean up my office. Get it ready for me.”

Alex raised an eyebrow in surprise. “What, are you planning?  To stay here?” he scoffed, clearly perplexed by my confidence.

I didn’t even spare him a glance as I replied, “I don’t need to waste my time around trash anymore. Now that I have plenty of time, I intend to take care of this company. So, if you’ll excuse me…”

Before I could finish, he stepped forward, “that’s the funniest joke I have ever heard.”

But before he could continue, his phone rang, cutting him off mid-sentence. I could see the frustration in his eyes as he glanced at the screen. Without saying another word, he picked up the call, turning away from me to answer it.

“Celeste,” he muttered under his breathe while walking away as his gaze was fixed on me, perhaps he couldn’t believe what I had just told him. 

I rolled my eyes as he walked out of the office, leaving me alone. I turned back to the assistant. She looks young, probably in her early twenties, with shoulder-length brown hair tucked neatly behind her ears. Her blue blouse is crisp, and she looked tense, as if still adjusting to the formality of the place. When she noticed my gaze towards her, she offered a polite but slightly hesitant smile.

“You must be new here,” I asked, returning the smile.

“Yes, I just started this week,” she replied.

I nodded, studying her for a moment. “What’s your name?”

“Oh—” She straightened a little more. “Emily. Emily Carter.”

“Well, Emily, let's hope you’re good at keeping up. This place moves fast. Bring me the latest work documents, please.”

She nodded and quickly went to retrieve them, while I surveyed the office. It didn’t take long before she returned, placing a thick folder in front of me. I flipped it open and glanced at the top document. The words “Lynwood Tech Project Bidding” caught my eye.