chapter 4

Rage

The moment he walked into the living room, Damon cleared the table in one swoop and the flower vases fell to the floor.

"What's the problem? Why are you angry?" Lily asked, completely oblivious to the problem at hand.

"Your sister is the problem! the fucking problem!"

Lily was confused as to what he was saying "What are you talking about?"

"Your sister, Ava. Didn't you see her at the party?"

Lily had not seen Ava at the party. And hearing her sister's name after five years was something that stole her composure. "Ava? At the party?"

Damon poured himself a drink. "Yeah, she was there. And she had gotten some high position in Maron, so she had some sway over my investors."

"The same Maron we have been competing with?"

"Yeah," Damon said and swallowed his wine. "And what with all the stuff that happened five years ago I have a feeling she is here for more than just a competition. You should talk to her."

Lily frowned. She didn't like that suggestion. After all, she was the one responsible for her sister's divorce. If Ava could leave quietly and return to get back at Damon, had she already learned the truth?

"Maybe."

"What do you mean maybe? Never mind. I'll call Victor."

Victor was Damon's uncle and a source of inspiration and ideas to Damon. When there was a business deal he was after, Victor was the first person Damon discussed such with. Even before bringing it up with his board of trustees.

Damon picked up his phone and dialled Victor's number. The other man answered on the third ring.

"Hello, Damon."

"Victor, we need to talk."

"Meeting went as planned?" Victor asked. That was the first thing that came to the man's mind.

"No, it did not go as planned and that is why we need to talk."

"Come over then," Victor invited.

Damon ended the call and grabbed his car keys. "Don't wait up for me," he said and left the house.

***

Victor stayed on a hill. He had built his house so that he could see the lowlands and whoever was coming up his driveway, which was one hell of a winding one. Plus, he had bodyguards.

Damon always wondered why, since the man didn't like to make himself look too important. He was more reserved and preferred to stay behind the curtains while Damon handled the show.

He had no problem with the guards and breezed through them. Victor was lounging beside the swimming pool, covered in a bathrobe.

He had two female friends as company. The man was divorced.

"Have a seat, Damon. And tell me what the problem is."

Damon sat down, ignoring the ladies who smiled at him. "I saw Ava Winters today."

Victor dropped his phone and stared at his nephew. "What are you talking about?"

"Ava is back, Victor. Met her at the wine-tasting ceremony. And it seems that her standards have risen."

Victor sat up and removed his glasses. "What standards?"

"She's in charge of Maron in the States."

"Maron has no branch in the States."

"Yeah. But she's the first. They've decided to expand and reach here. Do you know what this means for us?"

Victor said nothing. He was thinking about it.

"She even had the guts to talk to the same men I was going to meet, Clay and Adam. Somehow, she charmed them, and they were both set to discuss business with her. Especially Clay."

"Maybe they'll sleep with her and she'll get the deal for Maron."

Damon felt a pang of jealousy when he heard that. It was over between the both of them long ago, but he didn't want her to be sleeping with businessmen he knew just to get a deal for Maron.

"I don't think so. What's our next line of action?" Damon asked.

"Excuse us, ladies," Victor said. When they were gone, he asked, "What are you even worried about? Some divorced wife? You think she's back to become the number one business mogul in the country?"

"I don't like the way it has started."

"You worry too much, Damon. Don't let some brown-haired girl get you all riled up. We can always get better investors."

"There's a reason why we chose Clay and Adam."

"Which I am well aware of. Leave it. Her party will soon be over. She can't keep perching on our prospects. How did she even know you'd be there anyway? And the men to talk to?"

"I have no idea."

Victor nodded his head and watched his nephew carefully. If the return of one woman could make him like that, then something serious would sweep him off his feet.

Victor would have to bid his time carefully. There were a lot of things he wanted to handle and Ava Winters was not one of them. But he knew who could handle Ava.

"Don't worry. I have a plan, all right? Just relax and I'll put something into motion."

Damon looked at Victor. "Whatever it is, I want to know about it."

"And you will. But I don't want to get your hopes up, all right? This seems like a delicate matter after all."

***

The next day, Victor caught Lily Winters just as she was coming out of her car. The tall building of Blackwood Industries stood above them in its magnificence.

Victor had the opportunity to see its foundations when Damon's father was still alive.

"Morning, Lily."

"Victor. Never expected to catch you here. What a surprise."

"Hmm. Tell me something, have you talked to your sister?"

The look on her face was an answer in itself but Victor waited. "So it's true that she's back."

"Yes. I confirmed it this morning. Managing Director of the Maron branch in the USA. How come you haven't talked to her yet?"

"How come? I have not even seen her."

"Then it's high time you did."

"What?"

"Don't you forget your involvement in your sister's divorce case, Lily Winters? You have more to lose here than I do. So you'll do what I tell you as soon as you can."

Lily swallowed. She hated intimidation, but she had no choice in the matter. Victor was ruthless and he would make sure to cover his tracks. "What do you want me to do?"

He smiled. "Now, we're talking."