Chapter Three

Natalie's POV.

You can call it a monotonous Monday morning, but it was more than that for me. I was anxious at the thought of being announced as the new CEO of 'West Banking and Finance Enterprise' to the media. Nevertheless, I would rather eat a dead snake than express that weak side of me when the majority of the people encircling the industry would murder themselves to be in my position.

The minority is my son, Jason, and Granny West. The two had stood as my wings to keep striving and escaping all death traps set by the West relatives. For four years, I had secretly undergone a series of wide-range business training, and thankfully, it was less tedious to adapt due to my study in business administration when I was in college. 

A knowledge I was determined to use for Lucas, but he had spurned me terribly and proved me worthless to the extent that I believed I couldn't do anything. For those four years, Granny West had taken over the company and worked with those weak bones of hers while I assisted with full commitment. 

One year ago, after the death of James West, Granny West introduced me to the relatives together with my little Jason as James' young wife and heir to the company. I could vividly recall how happy the siblings were at the beginning of the meeting, as they thought the summoning was about appointing one of them as the new C.E.O., not knowing a stranger would take their place. 

They vowed to give evidence, but Granny had made her son, James West sign the handover document before he exhaled his last breath. The wicked fellows had no means for them to take a genetic test on Jason as James was dead. Ever since then, I have been prone to their wrath, and tomorrow is the day they dread the most because they believe they will feel humiliated by the public. 

I was more committed and ready to take the risk because I needed to carefully creep into this complicated family to know why I was the chosen one. I had tried to get Granny to speak, but anytime I brought the topic up, she only shook her head in guilt or just muttered a simple word of "I think having you here would stand as an exchange for everything that happened"

A long time ago, I had sneaked into the villa where the sick James West was just to get any information, but the frightened expression on his face at the sight of me made his illness worse. That experience had made me quit my investigation and had kept me wondering who I really was. One thing was for sure, it was only between Granny West and her son. Now that her son is dead, I am clueless about where to begin my research. 

"Good morning, ma'am. Your schedule for today is to meet the last company we will be partnering with for tomorrow's event." My secretary announced, walking behind me as we strolled into the massive company. 

Many bowed and murmured greetings while I only nodded in response. 

"I recalled telling you to select a less prominent company," 

"Yes. I have chosen one who has been striving hard to get a partnership with us for the past seven years."

"That was before I was appointed?" I was amazed by the particular company's determination. 

"You are right, ma'am. It's 'Golden hall Real Estate company,"

I stopped walking as my heart raced faster than normal. The name of that company sounded familiar, and I dreaded the truth. "Controlled by who?" 

"Lucas Knight. He made a public announcement of himself as the CEO just a few months ago. It was quite impressive. The majority of netizens are satisfied because he is handsome," 

I bit my lips as loathe surged in me, "Do not mention that company to me neither are we acknowledging them," I groaned in disgust. 

"It's the only less-prominent company that is worth the chance at the moment. The rest are filled with a series of disgraces." She reasoned. 

"No matter what you say, Stella. The owner of the company isn't stepping into this building…" 

"If you can state your reason, then I would gladly assist in convincing the board members." Gregory West, James' immediate stepbrother cut in as he rushed into the elevator with us. "Good morning, Mrs James" he added with a mocking smirk. 

This elderly man held the most hatred for me, and he always had something he was planning underneath his sleeves. If not because he has little to 3 percent of the company's share and is my assistant executive officer, I would have fired him. 

"Good morning, Mr Gregory," Stella and I murmured at the same time. 

"Did you condemn Golden Hall for personal reasons? You are bound to know how to separate personal issues and business cases. As your in-law, you do not mind if I speak with you casually, right?" he raised his eyebrows in a query. 

"Even as you have stated, you have no right to advise me, Mr Gregory." 

"Then reconsider. You can't just make decisions that would risk the company. Golden Hall is better in this situation. I don't think you want a situation where the board members are in chaos," he smirked and caressed his slightly white beard before walking out of the elevator. 

I wasn't ready to meet my abusive ex-husband. Gregory knows, and he will do anything to use that against me. I heaved a sigh of distress. Hopefully, this was the moment to prove them wrong. "Invite them over," I permitted. 

"They are presently at the meeting room" She smiled widely. 

"What?! Why so…so fast?" I stuttered as my face went pale. 

"They are more determined than ever. What happened to your face, ma'am? It's suddenly sweaty" She muttered in concern. 

I gulped and clumsily wiped the sweat from my forehead. My internal system was trembling. Over the years, I had trained my mind to overshadow my feelings, and that is what I would be doing. I heaved a heavy sigh of exhaustion and walked towards the meeting room, straight to my seat. 

"Good morning, Mrs James. I have heard so much about your achievement in a year, and can't wait to work with you. I am glad to meet you in person." Lucas showered compliments in his baritone voice. 

That voice I hate to admit that it sends an irritating shiver down my spine. "Of course, you will be glad," I smirked and raised my head. Meeting him suddenly makes me feel amused. 

I watched the wide smile on his face get replaced by a terrified one. He looked like someone who had seen a ghost as he carelessly staggered among the arranged conference chairs. His assistant rushed to help him dust his suit and apologized in embarrassment. "He had always looked forward to the partnership meeting. He is probably shocked to be here," his assistant explained. 

"It doesn't look like that is the reason," Mr Gregory strolled inside the meeting room with a corny smirk lingering on his lips. 

Does this man know how disgusting that looks on him?

"Your behavior isn't impressive, Mr Lucas" I spat. "This is unprofessional enough for me to decline your proposal"

"Surely, you are not…not my Natalie. I do not care about the partnership if this is true. Are you Natalie?" His voice trembled as he spoke. He looks pitiful. 

"You…are…" 

"Yes. She is your Natalie who had escaped for a greener pasture in the West's family. Fortunately, she succeeded. How smart is your Natalie" Mr Gregory sneered. 

"Your proposal for a partnership is dismissed. You condoned a situation where I had to be humiliated. Out. Of. My. Sight. Mr. Lucas Knight!" I banged my hand on the conference table. 

"I had seen an anonymous message about you giving birth to a child for Mr James West, but I had laughed it off. It was true that you went after a man old enough to give birth to you?! You were more than that. What happened to you?" Lucas asked, and I almost vomited at his statement. 

Thankfully, Stella was smart enough to call company securities who rushed to drag Lucas away from my sight. They struggled to get him out because of his muscular strength. I was sweating terribly as my hand shivered. I was fighting hard not to be consumed by my dark past. I forced myself on the executive chair when I heard that devilish groan of my foe, "It's quite interesting, isn't it?" 

It was all his plan. He would do anything to make me disappear from tomorrow's press conference, but unfortunately, I wasn't trained to give up easily. 

I was born to win, and I must win.