"A book shouldn't be judged by its cover, but by every word it contains. It should be read to the end before coming up with a judgment."
— Bella Angel Douglas, 16
My five-minute break is up. Saydai lets me know it's 9:50 a.m.; the meeting starts at 10 a.m. sharp. I respect time because, as I always say, "time is wealth."
I don't want to be late, so I use the remaining ten minutes to get to the boardroom. Normally, it wouldn't take more than ten minutes; today, I might even get there in five. A normal person could descend from the twenty-fourth to the twenty-third floor in two minutes, but I'm not "normal." My office is the only one on the twenty-fourth floor, except for my secretary's.
I rise from my chair and meet Saydai at the door as she opens it for me. I hate needing help with doors, but being shorter than average has its challenges. Sandra has collected everything we need to expose the criminal in today's meeting. Originally, I wanted a private session with only the board and the culprit — but where's the fun in that?
No.
I decided on a general meeting. Partners from across Africa, plus everyone in Liberia, with rural participants joining via Zoom. This is a lesson for the ages. Mr. Randall and his minions will learn: NOBODY DOUBLE-CROSSES SOFIA GABRIELLA PARKER. Nobody.
We reach the boardroom in less than two minutes. Normally four, but today adrenaline pumps through my veins. I am bullish, focused, and seeing black.
My heart pounds with rage. My blood boils like an erupting volcano. I sit with Sandra by my side, waiting. Normally, I am patient and gentle — but today, I am an angry bull, ready to crush anyone in my path.
At exactly 10 a.m., everyone is present… except the man of the hour: Derick Randall.
The boardroom buzzed with low conversation. Chairs scraped against the polished floor. Papers rustled. Laptops clicked. Everyone was here — heads turning, whispers exchanged — all except the one I was waiting for. My gaze swept the room again. Empty chair. Empty space. Randall was late, and the room felt… incomplete.
My pulse quickened. Every second felt stretched, like time itself was taunting me. I could feel the electricity in the room, the subtle shift of energy — the partners knew something was about to happen. I tightened my fingers on the armrest, imagining how this would look when the culprit finally appeared.
Ten minutes past ten. Still no Randall. A subtle murmur ran through the room. Heads tilted, whispers exchanged. My eyes scanned the room, noting every twitch, every nervous glance. Phones were checked. The clock ticked — loud, almost mocking. I sat, calm in appearance, but my mind raced. Today, everyone would witness that no one undermines me.
A knock. Footsteps. The door handle rattled. Heads snapped toward the entrance. A man strode in, shoulders back, chest out — confident, arrogant, oblivious to the storm brewing behind my calm gaze.
Finally, the doors slammed. He entered, loud and brash. I suppressed a grimace. Didn't anyone teach him respect? Ethics? Morals? His parents must be ashamed. Years of investment in his upbringing… wasted.
I leaned back, calm but sharp. "Wow. The big boss has finally arrived. Welcome, sir," I said, a sly smirk on my lips. "Forgetting who's really in charge, are we?" I raised one eyebrow.
Randall's lips twitched into a thin line. His eyes flashed — not with shame, but with resentment.
"I… I apologize for being late. My… my wife…" he stammered, feigned sorrow dripping from every syllable.
I cut him off, cold. "I didn't call this meeting to hear excuses."
"But it's not an excuse!" he snapped, voice rising.
I met his glare evenly. "Time is wealth. Others need to return to work. We don't have all day, do we?"
"No!" everyone answered in unison.
Randall's gaze burned into me. You could almost see the words boiling inside him:
She shouldn't own this company. She's too small. She's too… insignificant. How dare she surpass me? How dare she rise while I languish? I hate her for making me look weak. I will make her pay for this humiliation.
He straightened, chest puffed, jaw tight. His subtle sneer barely hid his jealousy. Every word I spoke cut him like a knife. I knew it. Everyone knew it.
Today, I am not just a CEO. Today, I am reckoning.
And Mr. Randall? He's about to learn the hard way that Sofia Gabriella Parker does not forgive, does not forget, and does not lose.
Author's Note
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Happy New Year! Thank you for your patience. I'm back and ready to continue the journey with Sofia — stronger, bolder, and more fearless than ever.
With love,
Bella