chapter 2

Resolve

She watched as James walked out of her office.

Five years and he had the temerity to walk into her office to say he was sorry for getting her into the fix she had been in.

But did revenge even matter anymore? She had been at her lowest when Damon filed for the divorce and got it. Wretched than she had been before meeting him. The twist was that he had gotten married to her sister, Lily.

She had decided to leave the past behind her and focus on what the future had in store for her. And she had been right.

She was already richer than her sister, and more than halfway to beat Damon's net worth. And it was also true that she was heading back to the United States of America to head her company's new branch over there.

So it seemed that James was still Damon's secretary and he could pull some strings to get the necessary information he wanted.

The rest of the day was filled with so much thinking that she had to leave for home earlier than usual.

Charles and Charlie came to hug her the moment she entered the living room. She dropped kisses on their heads.

"Where is your nanny?" Ava asked.

"In the kitchen," Charlie answered.

"What are you two up to?"

They both showed her the drawings they had been busy with. Ava held back a laugh. "Wow. You kids are doing great."

"Next, we're drawing Grace." They said together.

"Why would you want to draw your nanny?" Ava asked.

"It's just practice, mom. Nothing else. How was work today mummy? Charlie asked.

"Work was a bit different today, honey," Ava said as she went up to her room.

She was relieved that her kids didn't follow her to the room. They had something to keep their minds busy and she was glad.

She sat in the tub and thought about what James had said to her earlier. The more she pondered upon the matter, the more convinced she became that she needed to get back at Damon and Lily for the things they had made her go through.

Even after the divorce, Lily never bothered to get back to her. And Ava didn't try to reach her either. It was as if they had silently decided to ignore each other till the end of time.

Ava dried herself and put on some clothes. She had thought of a plan that would involve James. She could go unscathed, while he would be the culprit if the plan ever failed at some point.

It was better to make him expendable.

Ava retrieved his card from her bag and dialled the number.

"Is this a good time?" Ava asked when he answered the call.

"Of course. I'm Damon's assistant. Not his bodyguard."

"You said you wanted to make things right for me?"

"I did," James confirmed.

"I know a way you can be able to help me."

"How can I be of help?"

"Here's what you are going to do for me. I'll be needing every information on deals brokered by Blackwood Industries. Whenever they are after a business proposition, you are going to give me feedback on the process. The amount they are willing to spend and the consolation they expect to get off that deal."

There was silence in the other end of the line and Ava almost thought he had been interrupted.

Then his voice returned. "That is dangerous."

"Not if you are smart about it," Ava said dismissively.

"You are asking me to spy on my boss and leak information to you on his business."

"Exactly. Not a big deal, is it?"

"And what would you do with that sort of information?"

"Nothing that will cause any harm to your job in the future. I'm not trying to pull Blackwood into a state of bankruptcy. I just want to be the one on top. The one in control."

James said nothing. He knew what she was after. It wasn't ambition, it was just the need to get back at Damon Blackwood for divorcing her.

"Do we have a deal, James Carter?"

"I gave you my word that I will help you, so yes. We do have a deal."

"Good."

"What about your sister?"

"That's a family issue. Doesn't have to matter to you."

"Right."

"I'll call you when I get to the States."

"When do I expect you? In case there's something I need to get ready for you."

Ava thought about that and said, "In the next three days I should be there."

Then she ended the call, looked to the ceiling and let out a deep sigh. She knew what she was getting herself into. And Ava was aware that there would be no going back on it. She wasn't just going to be enacting revenge on Damon Blackwood alone. She would be doing the same to Lily Winters, her sister.

***

The next morning, Ava went to her boss's office and requested an issuance for the transfer of her position to the new branch.

"You aren't maintaining the same position you're holding here. Ava," Tom said.

"How? What else am I supposed to be doing, sir?"

"Aren't you aware that this is a new branch?"

"I am aware of that, sir."

"Which means there is no hierarchy yet. So you are going to be the General Manager. For the whole of United States."

Ava could not believe her ears. Tom was putting matters into her own hands but he didn't know that yet.

Tom went on. "You are going to request your subordinates, and they shall be screened by you, or if you want a team sent over there, fine. Business proposals will be handled by your office. After all, it is a conglomerate."

"Thank you, sir. I will not let you down."

"That's what we all want to hear, Ava. If possible, we'll need you to monopolize business for our company. I know it is too much to ask for now but..."

Ava rushed in. "No, sir. Not at all. I can handle it. I have a plan for that."