Chapter 6: Fate calls in a ringing tone.
Frances POV
A dark night settled over the city, but I felt a spark of resolve burning inside me. After a month of considering the suggestion to expand my company to Macedonia, I finally decided to give in—not because of the shareholders' pressure, but because I had shifted my mindset. I knew I couldn't run forever, no matter how much I tried. Fate had a way of dragging people together, colliding lives in ways we couldn't escape.
I let out a slow sigh as I sipped my coffee, staring out of the window at the city lights flickering below. My project demanded attention, and my PA had already drafted the proposal for Luce Group. But my eyes were drawn, almost magnetically, to the bold letters on the document lying on my desk: STAFFORD RAYMOND.
The name felt like fire in my veins. This was the man I had fled from, the one I had used as my escape route to plan my revenge. And now… now I had no choice but to face him, to confront whatever fate had in store. My chest tightened, but I straightened in my chair, spinning slowly around and letting a small, fierce smile tug at my lips.
I had overcome so much in my life already—why would I let the future intimidate me?
"I will overcome you all," I whispered to myself, letting the words anchor me in the resolve that had carried me since childhood.
"Hello, have you prepared for the flight tomorrow?" Bianca's voice pulled me back to the present.
"Yes," I said, my tone steady. "We leave at 7 a.m. sharp. I have a meeting with the CEO of Luce Group in the morning."
I turned back to the papers on my desk, scanning them carefully. "Alright, I'm just going through what you drafted. I need you to change some clauses in the contract—I'll send you the details via text. Is that okay?"
"Yes, ma'am," she replied promptly.
I nodded, already plotting the next moves in my mind, feeling the pulse of control returning to me. No matter what, I would rise.
Macedonia
Charlotte Blake was home, a feeling of happiness bubbling inside her. Her mind wandered to the past, to the countless times she had been hindered by Flora, the girl who always seemed to stand between her and the things she desired.
Charlotte remembered how friendly she had been with Flora in college, masking her true intentions behind a facade of camaraderie. She had framed Flora for numerous things, yet the gullible girl never suspected her, continuing to trust Charlotte blindly.
Charlotte viewed her as a snake, and it annoyed her endlessly that Flora always pretended not to notice the hatred directed at her. Adding to her irritation, she had been dating Marcus for quite some time—a year after he had started seeing Flora. Every time she saw him with Flora, a surge of jealousy and anger rose within her, as if she could just grab something and lash out.
Flora had always been brilliant and academically gifted, often leading the class in every endeavor. Charlotte publicly praised her, yet the moment she was out of sight, she cursed her silently.
"Cheers to us, baby," Charlotte said, raising her glass and offering another to Marcus as he entered. Life, she felt, was finally pleasing and stable.
"Cheers, darling. But what's the occasion for the celebration?" Marcus asked, curious.
"Nothing, really." Charlotte let her drink fall slightly, smiling. "I'm just happy life has been favoring us. Isn't that right?"
"Sure, life has been good. That reminds me, how's your company doing? Any plans to expand?" Marcus asked, pulling her to sit on his lap.
"Nothing much. Trust me when I say Chap Fashion World is known all over Macedonia," she replied, smiling and pressing a brief kiss to his lips.
"Hmmm." He gave her a seductive look. "Although we aren't up to The Bear Group yet, we are getting somewhere."
They laughed together as Marcus carried her into the room. "I won't spare you at all. I'll make sure to bury myself deep inside you." Charlotte smirked and grabbed his head as she unbuttoned his shirt.
Stafford Chris had always been a partial father, from the moment Kevin was born. His mother had forced him to marry May because of her family's influence. The only woman he had ever truly loved was Doris, the mother of Paris and Raymond.
Longing to recreate the warmth of family gatherings from the past, Chris called for a family dinner. "You should try coming home today. There'll be a family dinner. I've already informed your elder sister," he told Raymond over the phone.
Raymond massaged his temple and lit a tobacco wrap, the breeze brushing against his face as he stood near his office window, lost in thought. He had instructed his PA, Sky, to prevent anyone from entering his office, whether for business or family matters. Sky understood; Raymond often needed solitude, and today was one of those times. If the young lady who had stayed with him for a while were present, perhaps he would have felt more at ease.
"What do you think about expanding the ongoing project? Why not invite a few companies from other countries to join?" Chris asked Raymond at the dining table.
Everyone was present, including his stepmother and her son, both of whom glared at Raymond with deep-seated hatred. Paris returned their gaze with equal intensity on behalf of her younger brother.
Raymond didn't respond, focusing on his meal as if no one else existed. Chris felt a pang of sadness but hid it, knowing his son's stubbornness and cold demeanor well.
"Sigh! Meet me in the study room when you're done here," Chris called to Raymond, rising from the dining table and leaving everyone behind.
Inside the study, Raymond felt suffocated by his father's presence. "Why pretend to be a good father when you aren't? We don't need your love," he said sharply.
Chris was struck by his son's words, as if bitten in the mouth, leaving him momentarily speechless. "If you see me that way, how can I change that? I called you here for a suggestion regarding the company…"
But Raymond cut him off. "Excuse me, I don't need you to teach me how to run the company. If you want it, then take it." He sat down in his chair, eyes locked on his father.
Chris's mind reeled. How could his son speak so rudely? "Listen to me, son!" he shouted, anger flaring.
"Remember I'm still your father. How dare you speak to me in that manner?" Chris added, gripping the table tightly. His heart raced from the confrontation, yet Raymond's expression remained stern, unreadable.
"I want you to start expanding the company to other countries. That should be one of your goals this time," Chris said calmly, sitting opposite Raymond before standing abruptly. "Work on that and get back to me."
Raymond's gaze hardened. "Why do you always want me to have enemies?" he asked coldly.
Chris jerked his hands from the doorknob and sighed. His son didn't understand; every move he made was meant to push Raymond to be stronger, greater, and independent.
Meanwhile, Paris had grown tired of the tension and the food. She left in a fury, leaving May to hiss insults at Raymond, Paris, and their mother. "See the trashes your father had from his miserable first wife," May spat. Thankfully, Paris didn't hear. Kelvin, however, smiled at his mother's words, knowing the family's wealth and influence would eventually be his.