CHAPTER THREE

Two days later, in the opulent confines of Mace Sinclair's mansion, the billionaire businessman prepared for a crucial public appearance related to his ongoing merger for the energy plant project. The event held significant importance for his business endeavors, and Mace was determined to make a strong impression.

Dressed in a lavish, custom-tailored tuxedo that accentuated his imposing presence, Mace was ready to depart for the event. However, one major obstacle stood in his way—his niece, Seraphina.

Mace had previously informed Seraphina about the event and had expected her to accompany him. It was meant to be an opportunity for her to witness the world of business and responsibility, but Seraphina had other ideas. She lounged on the couch in the spacious living room, her teenage demeanor exuding laziness and exuberance.

As Mace approached her, his expression stern, he couldn't hide his irritation.

"Seraphina, it's time to go. I've already told you about this event."

Seraphina let out an exaggerated sigh and rolled her eyes, clearly uninterested.

"Uncle Mace, I've got way better things to do than go to some boring business thing. I've got plans with my friends."

Mace's patience wore thin, and he remained true to his gruff and unapologetic demeanor.

"I've explained to you the importance of this. It's not just some 'boring business thing.' It's an opportunity for you to learn and understand the responsibilities that come with our family's legacy."

Seraphina crossed her arms, her stubbornness on full display.

"Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all before. But seriously, can't you just go without me this time?"

Mace wasn't about to give in to her teenage antics. He leaned in closer, his gray eyes locked onto hers.

"Seraphina, you will accompany me to this event, whether you like it or not. This is not a negotiation."

Seraphina rolled her eyes, her teenage rebellion in full force.

"But Uncle, it's sooo boring! I'll just be a burden, and everyone will stare at me like I'm some spoiled rich kid."

Mace didn't mince words, his tone as gruff as ever.

"Seraphina, you are a spoiled rich kid, and that's exactly why you need to be there. This is a family duty, and I won't have you embarrassing me by playing the lazy teenager card."

Seraphina huffed, clearly frustrated with her uncle's unyielding stance.

"You're so mean, Uncle Mace. I hate it when you do this."

Mace sighed, his frustration mixed with genuine concern for his niece. He loved her, but she was undeniably a handful.

"I'm not being mean, Seraphina. I'm trying to prepare you for the future. Now, get dressed and meet me in the car in fifteen minutes. We're going."

Seraphina begrudgingly agreed, though not without throwing a final, snarky comment his way. "Fine, I'll go. But only because you're so stubborn. You're worse than my mom."

As Mace watched Seraphina begrudgingly head to her room to get ready, he couldn't help but shake his head. The clash between the uncle and his spirited niece was a testament to the complexities of their relationship. He hoped that, in time, she would come to understand the valuable lessons he was trying to impart, even if it meant butting heads along the way.

Mace Sinclair sat in his luxurious Jeep, a vehicle that was as powerful and imposing as the man himself. The sleek, black exterior gleamed under the sunlight, and the leather interior exuded an air of sophistication. He glanced at his wristwatch, his impatience growing as fifteen minutes ticked by, and Seraphina was nowhere in sight.

He knew his niece well enough to sense when she was up to something. Seraphina had a way of pushing boundaries and testing his patience, and today was no exception.

With a heavy sigh, Mace exited the car and re-entered his mansion. Determined to get to the bottom of Seraphina's delay, he made his way to her room. He knocked on her door once, receiving no response. When he repeated the action, there was still no reply.

Mace's frustration simmered beneath the surface as he realized that Seraphina had locked herself in her room. She was proving to be a handful, just as he had suspected.

Without hesitation, Mace raised his voice, his tone cold and threatening.

"Seraphina, I know you're in there. You have exactly ten seconds to open this door, or there will be consequences."

Inside the room, Seraphina's reluctance to comply with her uncle's demands was evident. She finally unlocked the door, swinging it open with an exasperated huff.

"What's your problem, Uncle Mace? Can't a girl have some privacy?"

Mace's gray eyes bore into hers as he remained unapologetic, his voice firm.

"We're already running late, thanks to your antics. Now get dressed and meet me in the car immediately."

Seraphina couldn't help but retaliate, her annoyance clear.

"You're so controlling, Uncle. I hate it when you do this. I'm not some little kid you can boss around."

Mace was unmoved by her protests, his determination unwavering.

"I do this because I care about you, Seraphina. Your parents would have wanted you to learn responsibility and discipline. Now, stop wasting time and get ready."

Seraphina rolled her eyes, her defiance palpable. "Whatever, Uncle. I'll get dressed, but only because you're impossible to argue with."

With a reluctant huff, she retreated into her room, leaving Mace to wonder whether their continuous clashes were a testament to the strength of their bond or a reflection of the challenges they faced as a family. The weight of her parents' absence hung heavily in the air, a reminder of the loss they had both endured.

Nysaa had spent the past few days doing her research, piecing together what little information she could find about Mace Sinclair. Today, her sources had confirmed that he was going to make a public appearance related to the merger for his energy plant project. It was the perfect opportunity to confront him, to challenge the man who had threatened her home and her sanctuary.

Determined to make her presence known, Nysaa dressed in her signature leather outfit, a sleek and rebellious ensemble that accentuated her fiery personality. Her short brown hair had been expertly curled into beautiful waves that framed her face. She looked like a force to be reckoned with, ready to face the man who had disrupted her life.

Before leaving her bungalow, she popped her pills, the small but necessary dosage that helped her control her hallucinations and daydream nightmares from her traumatic past. It was a reminder of the scars she carried, the wounds that had shaped her into the resilient woman she had become.

Nysaa's heart brimmed with determination and anger as she prepared to confront Mace Sinclair. She despised men like him, men who used their wealth and power to oppress others. She had encountered her fair share of them in her tumultuous past, and she was having none of it this time.

With a final, resolute glance in the mirror, Nysaa stepped out of her bungalow. She knew that the battle ahead would be intense, but she was ready to stand her ground, to protect her home, and to challenge the man who thought he could take it all away. Mace Sinclair was about to face a force of nature, and Nysaa was determined to make sure he knew it.

The convention center was abuzz with activity, a throng of journalists and cameras flashing like a whirlwind. Mace's Jeep pulled up to the venue, and he stepped out, his niece Seraphina following closely behind. It was a significant event, and it marked Seraphina's first appearance at such a high-profile gathering.

As Mace made his way toward the entrance, Nysaa's cab arrived at exactly the same time. She had timed it perfectly, hoping for a chance to approach him before he disappeared into the crowd of reporters and onlookers.

Nysaa watched as Mace was swarmed by reporters eager for a statement or an interview. She couldn't see his face entirely, as he was shielded by dark sunglasses, but that didn't stop her from mocking his features to herself.

She muttered under her breath, her tone dripping with sarcasm and insult.

"Look at Mr. High and Mighty, strutting around like he owns the world. Those sunglasses are almost as big as his ego."

Nysaa couldn't resist taking a jab at his entitlement, her words biting and mocking.

"Oh, how gracious of you to grace us with your presence, Mr. Sinclair. I'm sure the world has been eagerly waiting for your wisdom and benevolence."

As Mace fielded questions from the reporters, Nysaa continued her private commentary, her insults growing even more scathing.

"Yes, yes, Mr. Sinclair, tell us all about your grand plans for the world. I'm sure they're as groundbreaking as your fashion choices."

Her words were laced with sarcasm and ridicule, a small act of rebellion against the man who represented everything she despised. Nysaa couldn't help herself; she had to take this opportunity to mock Mace Sinclair, even if it was only to herself.

The convention hall was grand and filled with anticipation as Mace Sinclair took the stage to deliver his speech about his energy plant project and the impending merger. He stood at the podium, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room.

Mace began his speech with a measured tone, taking deliberate pauses to emphasize his points. "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, thank you for joining me today. We stand at the cusp of a monumental moment in the world of energy production."

Nysaa sat at the back of the hall, her eyes fixed on Mace as he spoke. She couldn't resist adding her snarky, mocking comments to every word he uttered. The person beside her shot her a disapproving look, but she didn't care.

She muttered under her breath, her words laden with sarcasm.

"Oh, Mr. Sinclair, you're truly a visionary. I can hardly contain my excitement for your groundbreaking ideas."

As Mace continued his speech, Nysaa couldn't resist interjecting with her biting commentary. "Yes, yes, the world has been waiting with bated breath for your words of wisdom. Please, enlighten us further."

Her snarky remarks drew glances from those around her, but she remained undeterred. Mace's grandiose speech and self-assured demeanor were a perfect target for her biting humor.

Mace, unaware of Nysaa's presence in the audience, continued with his speech, his voice resonating with confidence.

"Our energy plant project is not just about profit. It's about a sustainable future, one where we can provide clean energy to power our world."

Nysaa couldn't help but scoff at his words.

"Ah, yes, 'clean energy' from the man who probably has a fleet of gas-guzzling cars. How noble of you, Mr. Sinclair."

The person beside her shifted uncomfortably, clearly torn between wanting to listen to Mace's speech and being annoyed by Nysaa's constant commentary.

Mace, undeterred by the disruption, pressed on. "This merger will bring together the best minds in the industry, fostering innovation and progress. Together, we can achieve great things."

Nysaa couldn't resist a mocking chuckle.

"Yes, because we all know how much you love to foster innovation, Mr. Sinclair. You're practically a patron of progress."

As Mace continued talking about the merger and the potential for growth, Nysaa rolled her eyes and whispered,

"More like the potential for lining his pockets even further."

As Mace's speech continued, Nysaa's snarky comments became a running commentary on his every word. She reveled in poking fun at the billionaire businessman, finding a small measure of satisfaction in disrupting his grandiose presentation.

Despite the disapproving glares she received from those around her, Nysaa remained committed to her mission of exposing the absurdity of Mace Sinclair's self-importance.

As Mace's speech approached its conclusion, Nysaa decided it was the perfect time to make her exit. She had stirred enough trouble inside the convention center, and now it was time to take her act outdoors. She knew exactly how to create chaos when she wanted to, and she relished the opportunity.

Outside the convention center, Nysaa scanned the area, her eyes searching for a suitable rod. It didn't take long for her to find one leaning against a nearby wall. She approached it with a sense of determination, knowing that this was her tool for the upcoming spectacle.

With rod in hand, she made her way to Mace's parked Jeep. As she casually seated herself on its hood, passersby couldn't help but shoot her strange looks. It was an audacious move, and Nysaa was fully aware of the attention she was garnering.

Mace's security team quickly sprang into action, attempting to remedy the situation. They approached Nysaa, trying to persuade her to vacate the vehicle. But Nysaa had no intention of making things easy for them. She was a steadfast troublemaker, and she was prepared to hold her ground.

She greeted the able-bodied security men with a wicked grin, her words dripping with mockery and insult.

"Oh, gentlemen, what a delightful surprise. Do you always rush to protect the poor, defenseless billionaire from the likes of me?"

Her taunts hit their mark, and the security men exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unsure of how to handle her. But Nysaa wasn't finished yet. With a theatrical flourish, she raised her rod high above her head and began to fire off more insults.

"Look at you all, standing there like a bunch of overgrown toddlers in matching suits. I bet Mr. Sinclair feels invincible with you around."

The passersby watched in amazement and confusion as Nysaa continued her verbal assault on the security team. She didn't back down, standing her ground on the Jeep's hood, her rod still in hand.

Her actions were audacious, disruptive, and unapologetically rebellious. Nysaa Everhart was making it abundantly clear that she was not to be underestimated, especially when it came to confronting men like Mace Sinclair and his entourage of enforcers.