Chapter 8

The elevator ride up felt like an eternity. The moment the doors slid open, I was met with the sharp scent of johnnys cologne and the sight of him leaning against his desk with his arms crossed.

As I stepped into his office, his sharp blue eyes were filled with something different than the other times— amusement.

“You work fast” he said with a smile, “Smith is already breathing down Jamie’s neck.”

I dropped my bag on the chair. “Are you keeping tabs on me?”.

“I like to know how my investments are doing” his smirk widened. “And you, Susan, you are proving to be very interesting”.

“Am I supposed to take that as a compliment?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You should” he said leaning back lazily in his seat.

I rolled my eyes, but there was no denying it, Johnny was testing me, pushing to see how far I’d go.

“Why did you call me here?” I asked.

He stretched his hand and tapped a folder on his desk “Another opportunity. A risky one.”

I raised a brow. “Go on.”

“A high-profile investor is considering partnering with us. 200 million dollars on the table. But the terms are…” He paused, watching me.

I picked up the folder and flipped through the documents. It didn’t take long for me to find the problem.

“This is a trap,” I whispered.

Johnny’s eyes flashed with curiousity. “Explain.”

“Their profit model is based on false projections. Their expected revenue is inflated, and the real numbers don’t match market trends. If we agree, we take all the losses.” I closed the folder. “This isn’t just a bad deal—it’s a set-up. Someone wants to sink Harrington Enterprises.”

Johnny let out a low whistle. “And I thought you were only good at revenge.”

I looked at him. “Revenge and business go hand in hand. The stronger your company is, the harder Jamie falls.”

For the first time, Johnny looked genuinely impressed. “I’m starting to like you, Susan.”

I smirked. “I don’t need you to like me. I just need you to trust me.”

I grabbed my bag and turned to leave, but his voice stopped me.

“You have my attention, Susan. Now show me what you can really do.”

I didn’t turn around, I didn’t need to. Because I already knew—this was just the beginning. And Jamie?. He had no idea what was coming.

By the time I got home, I was exhausted. It was only the beginning and I was weak into my bones. My heels clicked against the marble floor as I walked into the grand estate. Mrs Belinda was already waiting.

“Rough day miss Susan?” She asked with a knowing smile.

“You have no idea” I murmured, gently rubbing my forehead. “Could you prepare a bath for me?”

“Of course” she went down the hall and I headed upstairs to my bedroom. I took off my blazer, kicked off my heels and grabbed my journal from the bed before making my way to the bathroom.

The scent of lavender filled the air as steam curled from the tub. I let out a slow breath as I sank into the warm water, allowing the heat ease the tension in my muscles. I flipped my journal open, looking through the names I had written down, each of them were either a potential asset or enemy in my war against Jamie.

But tonight, I had a different focus in mind— I needed an assistant. Someone who knew Jamie’s business inside and out. Someone who hated him as much as I did—Nathan.

His name stood out on the page as memories of him resurfaced. He had once been Jamie’s right hand man, his most trusted financial advisor, until Jamie betrayed him. Using him as a scapegoat to cover up his own mistakes. Nathan had lost everything. His job, his reputation and gus future. But I knew one thing about him— he never forgot a grudge.

I reached for my phone and dialed his number. It rang four times before he finally answered. I honestly didn’t know how to feel.

“Who is this?” His voice was sharp and guarded.

“Susan” I said sharply.

There was silence, followed by a low chuckle. “Well well, well. To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“I want to meet” I said, getting straight to the point.

“I don’t work for Jamie anymore”

“I know,” I said. “That’s why I’m calling.”

There was a pause. “What do you want, Susan?”

“A partnership,” I said smoothly. “You know Jamie’s company better than anyone. You know his weaknesses, his mistakes. Work with me, and we’ll make sure he loses everything.”

Nathan exhaled sharply. “And why should I trust you?”

I leaned back in the tub, a slow smirk playing on my lips. “Because I hate Jamie more than you do.”

He fell silent again, but I could hear his breathing shift. He was considering it, hoping this wasn’t a trap.

“I’ll think about it,” he finally said.

“No, Nathan. You’ll meet me tomorrow at noon. I’ll send you the location.”

“…You haven’t changed,” he muttered.

“No,I haven’t ” I said softly. “I have.”

I ended the call, keeping my phone on the small stool beside the tub. Nathan would definitely show up, I was hundred percent sure he would. And when he did, Jamie’s days would be numbered.

————

The moment I stepped out of the bath and walked into my bedroom, my phone vibrated. A call from an unknown number.

“Hello?” I answered the phone curiously.

An unclear voice came through the line. “Be careful who you’re playing with, Susan. Not all of your enemies show their faces.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine. I turned my head, looking through the darkened street outside my window. There was nothing. But I felt it—someone was watching me.

I put the phone back on my ear. “Who is this?” But the person hung up. I pulled the phone from my ear, staring at the screen. Jamie was desperate, but he wasn’t reckless. This wasn’t his style. So who else was watching me?. And more importantly—what did they know?

I put the phone down slowly, my fingers tightening around it. My heart pounding so loudly, if someone stood close to me they would definitely hear it. I walked closer to the window, scanning the dark street but there was nothing. The feeling remained, it felt like someone was behind me watching, waiting.

I exhaled, forcing myself to focus. Whoever had called me wasn’t Jamie. Jamie was damn too arrogant to play mind games like this. No, this?… this was someone else. Someone who knew more than they should.

I ran my hands through my hair, frustration surged inside of me. I turned to my bed, I had work to do and I needed sleep. But something caught my eye—a small glint of metal.

I frowned, stepping closer. Under the bed frame, hidden in the shadows where I shouldn’t have missed it, something lay half hidden. I knelt down and reached for it, my fingers brushing against the cold surface—could this be it?.

It felt familiar. Wait— my locket, my eyes widened as I pulled it out slowly, my heart hammering against my ribs. The delicate silver chain lay in my palm, the oval pendant had worn out but it was familiar. Too familiar.

A cold chill ran down my spine as I gently opened it with trembling fingers. Inside, a tiny folded piece of paper rested against the old photograph I hadn’t seen in years.

I unfolded the note with my shaky hands. The handwriting was bold, precise and clearly intentional.

“Be careful who you’re playing with, Susan. Not all of your enemies show their faces.”

I felt a sudden chill. This locket had belonged to my mother. She had given it to me when I was younger, a tiny treasure filled with memories. But after she died, I had lost it. No, not lost— it had vanished.

I had turned my room upside down looking for it all those years ago. I was convinced someone had taken it. And now, after all this time, it had misteriously appeared, right under my bed, with a warning.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, the locket became heavier in my palm. I was certain, someone was watching me. Someone who knew me, who knew my past. And whoever they are, they wanted me to know that this wasn’t over.