Chapter 6
Chapter 6
This was not a typical way to start a Saturday morning but I didn’t have much
choice in the matter. The lawyer's office was located just across town and had
not been a struggle to get to at all. I had an appointment with Mr. Hendricks who
had been my grandfather's trusted lawyer for as long as I could remember.
After speaking to Adam and giving things a lot of thought, I had some sense of
direction and I knew exactly why I was here at the lawyer's office aside from
obvious
reasons.
“Itis nice to see you here, Sophia. I can still recall the day that I met with your
grand father and penned out his will. He was rather fond of you.” Mr Hendricks
said with a small smile toying about his aging face.
My grand father and I had shared a close bond for as long as I could remember
yet I didn’t think it was close enough that he would leave his entire business for
me to handle the reins once I came of a certain age.
I didn’t come here to make small talk since I had more important issues on my
mind that opened up with being the sole inheritor of this company.
“Shall we proceed to go over the will?” I offered gently and he nodded pushing a
copy of the will across his large solid wood table.
I reached for the crisp sheet of paper and scanned through it. It stated exactly
what I had already known.
“There isn't
name now, Ch to go over. Whatever your grandfather had left behind is in your
name now. He leaves behind not only the company but also his assets in the
form of lavish vehicles, his mansion in the city, and a large sum of money.” Mr
Hendricks said. with a slight shrug. “And it could not have come at a better time.”
He added in a cl*pped
tone.
I frowned at him. “What do you mean by that?" I queried and he immediately let
out a heavy sigh.
Mr Hendricks sat forward in his arm chair, the leather squeaked beneath his
weight. “The company is not performing at its best as of late. If there had been a
way for me to intervene sooner, I would have, but the will stated not until you
were twenty-six of age.” He informed me and that was news to me.
years
It had been a good business that boomed and performed highly. Perhaps years
of negligence had caused it's damage but I could only hope that it had been
repairable.
“I'm sure I could mend things once I have a few virtual meetings with the board
members and the rest of the departments.” A look of disapproval had marred his
face at
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Chapter 6
what I had said.
“Virtual meeting?” He shook his head instantly looking like a dog trying to shake
out the water from his fur. “I'm afraid if you really want to save the business from
bankruptcy, you will need to be hands on. It still has great potential and it’s just in
need of a guiding hand. It had been a while since any one has checked in on the
business operations leading to its current state. The shareholders are influential
people and it is only a matter of time before they become restless and pull away
from the company.” He advised and it gave me hope for betterment but it wasn’t
what I wanted to hear.
Being hands on means a lot more than I was ready for. It meant returning back to
New York for more than just a friendly visit. It meant running in to the people I did
not want to see ever again. It meant exposing my child to a part of her life that
was best kept concealed.
On the other hand, it was my grand father's legacy that I had the opportunity to
save. Once I had done that then my life would be set and I would be free from
the convential working hours. Not that I hated working but it meant for freedom to
be with Hayley for more hours in the day.
After a week of delaying and contemplating over heading back to the one place I
never ever intending of setting foot in, I had arrived at a decision. It was with
Adams help that I managed to conjure up the courage knowing that he would be
accompanying me to New York. Adam could go for his meeting and I could see to
taking over as head of the company with out feeling like I was all alone.
My departure was scheduled a few days later in which time I held a few meetings
with the company’s managerial department to inform them of my arrival along
with the PR team. It was then suggested by the PR team that a shareholder
meeting he scheduled a day after I arrive. Shareholders would want to know who
is the company’s new owner and it was a good opportunity to develop relations
and gain trust from them before they began getting weary.
My years of experience in the business world had proved vital and beneficial in
me taking on such a role but having said that I still felt intimidated by all of it.
Days had flown by and before I knew it, my bags were being loaded on to Adams
private jet along with Hayley and her nanny. It was her first time flying and she
was excited for the new experience.
It was one of the things I loved about Hayley. She never let anything hold her
back. from taking joys in even the most simplest of things. When days were
tough, she got tougher and I admired her so much for it.
“How are you feeling about all of this?” Adams voice moved my y attention away
from Hayley and on to him where he had sat next to me.
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Chapter 6
The knitwear he had worn had been a dark grey in colour and complemented his
eyes well. I shook the thought out of my head and responded to his question.
“I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared to death.” I tried to sound light about it and
failed terribly. “Returning back to the country I swore to never spare a second
glance does have its own kind of strain.” I leaned my the side of my head against
the soft seat and watched Adam's eyes scan my face.
“I've seen you brave a lot of challenges, Sophia, and I don't have a shadow of a
doubt that you'll be able to sail smoothly through these treacherous waters of
uncertainty.” His full I*ps spread in to a gentle smile and I appreciated him so
much.
“It isn’t just taking over a whole company that I'm worried about but it's also the
reality that I would be placing myself right within arm’s reach of people I should
never be sharing the same air as. People who hurt me without sparing a
thought.” I swallowed the lump that had formed on the back of my throat realising
just how hurt I still felt about
all of it.
Despite thinking I was over it for years, that I worked on forgetting it all, that I was
unaffected by it, had all been shattered in just a second.
“You do not give yourself enough credit, Soph. Adam said in disbelief. “The
woman they knew and the one sitting across from me are two different people.
You have to go back there and show them that you are no weakling. The position
you're in grants you more than enough reason to behave the role.” Adam's face
was serious now and his words made me realise that he was right.
I left New York hurt, disadvantaged, and weak but I return being far from those
things. There was no reason for me to not utilise it to my full advantage and then
maybe I'd see how little I had to fear.
Driving from the landing strip had been a memory reviver. Each street we had
driven on or each shop we had passed by jogged my memory of life here when I
worked as an assistant. There was nothing about it all that I missed. It had come
as a surprise to me that there was no string sense of nostalgia welling up within
me.
“Mama.” Hayley calling for me got my attention in a heartbeat. I tore my eyes
away from the scenes flashing past the windows of the SUV and looked to her.
“Yes, baby.” I reached out her hand to caress her dark hair that was the exact
same shade as her father’s.
“Where are we going?” She asked as she turned to look out at the place that was
all unfamiliar to her.
“To the place mama grew up in.” I responded watching her innocently look out
the window.
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Chapter 6
I knew that I would protect her if it meant doing so with by own life and I was
determined to keep her away from any sort of harm.
My phone pinged and checked it to find an email from the company. A list of the
shareholders had been forwarded to me beforehand and I knew that I should go
through it before the meeting just so I was familiar with who would be
showing up.
With less than 12 hours to prepare, I had a lot to do.
SEND GIFT
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