Chapter Three: The Road That Leads To Love

Larson's P.O.V...

A week had passed since my unexpected meeting with the sucessor of Ray Smith group of industries, Malia. She was my ticket in finding out the truth and also destroying the one person who has been my sole target for years but partially I was amazed by how strong of a woman she was, her husband cheated on her but despite having so much drama going on in her life at that moment she didn't sulk in a corner trying to gain people's sympathy instead she wanted to prove to the whole world that men like Maynard can't always have their cake and eat it and for some unknown reason I was proud of her and women like her make men regret their actions and turn over a new leaf.

Making an entry into her life wasn't a coincidence but a well taught out plan but little did I know it was going to be so easy to reach my first ultimate goal all thanks to Malia. Tonight was the party everyone had breathlessly been anticipating, it was in honour of celebrating my new status of the president elect of the Ray Smith group of industries, the chocolate manufacturer multi billionaire company but little did they know everything will happen according to how I played my cards, it's high time they become aware of who the real boss is. 

I looked in the mirror to have a clearer view of myself and all I could see was a good looking man who came into view. I was draped in a fitting button down shirt on a trouser which revealed my manly physique and a black suit jacket which was well tailored to cover up, I took a quick glance at my wrist watch and it screamed time to go.

I didn't have the faintest of idea on how everyone was going to react at what will be blown on their faces but whatever it was sooner or later they will have to accept the truth otherwise they would have to kiss goodbye. Reaching the event venue, one of the largest halls owned by the Smith's, I stepped out of the car while slipping my dark shades on and I walked past the media and reporters swiftly making my way inside then I motioned a waiter over taking a glass of alcohol, tequila to be precised from his tray.

My eyes darted round the hall but I couldn't get hold of my key to success. Was it a habit of her's to be late or is she just playing ignorant amd doing it on purpose, I needed to exercise a little bit of patience because my Plan A was going to kick in tonight. The unexpected clicking of heels on the turf made everyone silent and I turned to follow everyone's gaze only to see Malia making her way down the stairs, she wore a jumpsuit that came up above her thighs revealing her smooth leg.

I didn't understand how she was comfortable with wearing such a revealing outfit, I had to admit she looked alluring and her hair was tied in a messy bun with a little bit of loose curls which escaded her smooth face. I removed my shades so she could notice me without having to look around and while away time but I was taken aback by the unexpected move of her's. She walked pass me as though we've never met which raised a deep frown within me, a part of my heart didn't want to accept the fact she might have changed her plan and if that was the case I wasn't going to spare her, not even a bit.

At that moment, speaking of the lady on black she made her way towards the stage and stood in the spotlight and all eyes were on her including the flashes of the media cameras and she was greeted with a thunderous applause. She stood bolt upright with a microphone and a thin smile which played across her lips and she spoke.

"First and foremost before I proceed, on behalf of this great empire we've worked effortlessly to build I would love to welcome all our investors, board of directors, friends, esteemed guests and partners to our party tonight. I'm super greatful and I can't thank you all enough for making out time to share in our profound happiness"

"Let us welcome our most important guest, without him they wouldn't be a pillar behind this empire. My lovely father, Mr Ray Smith please let's all welcome him with a round of applause" the spotlight shifted instantly and all the attention went to her father who stood up and walked towards the crowd with his special body guards

"I would love to express my profound gratitude to everyone who has contributed in making this huge empire a success. I want you all to know that Malia Ray Smith is grateful for the hardwork you all portrayed on the dubai project and we are pushing our empire to greater heights"

"So the time has come for us to wrap it all up. Judging from the board of directors votes I would love to introduce our new president of the Ray Smith empire" my eyes darted towards Mr Sebastian and I could see the excitement in his eyes, it felt as though he was running out of breath and the anticipation to be announced as the new president.

"If it weren't for you all I doubt we would all be able to make a good decision. After much consideration and good timing from my humble self, we have all decided to elect him as the president elect of the Ray Smith group of industries and from now onwards he will be solely responsible for the affairs of this great empire.

"Ladies and gentlemen with so much joy and gratitude in my heart let us welcome the new president, Mr Larson Reynold" She declared and everyone froze like a statue instantly. They all wondered who this mysterious man was and almost immediately I stepped through the doorway and all eyes turned to me as gasps and whispers filled the room.

I was about to step into the spotlight when the sudden sound of phones beeping at the same time filled the room including mine. I unlocked my phone, and Instantly recognized Malia's face, I played the video and I was stunned at what I saw Malia was having sex with a man. It was officially known her sex tape had been leaked, anger slurred through me and I couldn't believe how loose of a woman she was.

She noticed the akward expressions on everyone's face and their gazes were directed at her. Curious to know what happened she took hold of my phone and saw the inappropriate act of her's and then the phone slipped to the turf.

"This can't be happening! please you all should calm down and listen to me. I didn't do anything, this woman in the video isn't me, I don't know who this man is I swear I haven't seen him in my whole life" She explained with tears in her eyes but it seemed no one was willing to give her a listening ear then she went directly to a man who I guessed to be her father and I was right.

"Dad you know your daughter more than anyone else and you've always been proud of the values you've instilled in me. Do you think I can commit such a deceitful act, please tell everyone the woman in the video isn't me. Your trust alone is more than enough for me to face the whole world" her father stood still unable to say a word and she stepped back in shock, looking at him with disbelief.

"I want to trust you but how do I find the courage to do so, everyone present here has seen the video. Should I just overlook everything like it never happened, you accused your husband of cheating but all along you've been the real cheater. I know for a fact I didn't raise you to be a loose woman with no morals and values so who is this new Malia" he replied dejectedly

"You also don't believe me? It seems there is nothing left for me now when my support system has turned away his face from me" she said and a man walked up to her and harshly twisted her arm then she yelled in pain.

"I'm glad the world has finally come to see the truth, they've known who the liar is between us. Everyone take a look at my ex wife, she commits a sin and puts the blame on others. Goodness gross" he spat out

"All along she was having an affair with another man despite being a married woman. Is this how the sucessor of such a huge empire should behave and tonight out of nowhere you bring in an unknown person with no proper background search to become the president, unbelievable!"

"I wonder how long this has been going on and how many men has this shameless woman slept with. Where is your self respect woman? I can't help but wonder if this newly appointed president is also your sex partner" a man named Mr Mozart said and anger laced through my veins.

"Enough! no one will say a word against her. Whoever decides to go against me should be ready to face my wrath" I shouted to the now quiet room and I stepped forward intertwining my fingers with her's.

"Wow dear ex wife, it seems you've wrapped your new lover around your fingers that he can't handle it when your name is being slandered. Is he the bastard you left me for and the one who pleasured you all night?" Maynard spat coldly with a devilish smirk on his face.

"Just shut up and don't test my patience! didn't you hear what I said? no one will say a word and that includes you because whatever video was displayed here is just the half truth and humans are always quick to pass judgements" I said Icily

"Otherwise what will you do, you can shut me up but how will you shut the whole world. Everyone saw the video and we all have come to know the kind of woman she is, she is a cheap, loose, characterless, and immoral woman" he said stepping closer with few slow steps.

"step back! everyone saw what you let them see" I blurted out and the crowd look startled.

"What do you mean by that, are you trying to say the video is a set up" he stuttered nervously

"I didn't say so but it seems the scardy cat has pledged guilty to his crimes. You all should take a good look at the video properly, there's a deep black mole on the supposed man's hand and Manyard's hand has the same mole how is that supposed to be a coincidence" I said turning him over to the crowd so his mole could be detected.

"Let me make one thing clear to all of you and quench your doubts. This is the clear truth you all need to know about Maynard Salvador, whilst having an affair with his personal assistant he was ready for the outcome of it that's why he placed a camera in their bedroom and it recorded their intimate moments. He wanted to use it to his advantage when he got caught and his plan succeeded but he's not the only wise person on this damn fucken earth but you all are blaming her. Why? because she's a woman"

"I'll make my self loud and clear enough, I Larson Reynold has become the newly appointed president of the Ray Smith group of industries and I demand what belongs to me which is respect. Also anyone who doesn't want to accept this decision made by Malia can easily use the door it's over there but bear in mind as you're leaving you will no longer be a part of the Ray Smith group of industries, it's high time we made some changes around here"