Chapter 79 - HEIRESS'S SECOND CHANCE BILLIONAIRE
Chapter Seventy-Nine “Knight in a Suit.”
Isabella Kingston.
“Everything is going on well and we are back on track. If this continues, we will be able to hold the fashion show at the end of the month.” Declared the team manager of the Planning Department of Montague Concept.
I looked up from the file placed in front of me for the meeting, my stern gaze falling on the man that just concluded his presentation, awaiting my response. “What is the success rate?” I asked, everything he has said for the past ten minutes sounding like nothing but long, irrelevant speeches to me.
They are stories that everyone here knows, or more like I expect them to if they are truly hands on deck on this. I am already well aware. What I want now is not stories, but facts. Certainties that this will go the way I want.
He did not hesitate as he answered. “Given the current situation of the revival of the Tokyo warehouse, I would say 89%, given others unavoidable circumstances that might come up.”
I hummed, then nodded as I flicked the pen between my fingers. “Make it 96% percent at least,” I declared, holding his gaze. I could feel the attention of all others on me, no doubt feeling as though it will be hard to achieve. But, that is not the mind set I want them to have. I want them to believe they will reach it, because I want nothing less.
“But, Mrs. Montague--”
“96 percent at least,” I repeated, my tone firm, closing the file to signify the finality of my words. “No buts. I want it done. Do you get me?”
There were hesitations, but their responses came eventually. “Yes, Ma’am.”
“Noted, Mrs. Montague.”
“Noted. Ma’am.”
“Good,” I nodded. “That is it for today’s meeting--” I pushed my chair in an attempt to get up and head out, however, the door to the meeting room was suddenly pushed open as Amy rushed to my side, looking frantic and startled by something.
“Mrs. Montague,” She called out professionally, given we are at work and there are others present. She tried to keep her voice low when she stood by my side, then added. “We have a problem,” She breathed out, holding my gaze with her worried ones. “A big one.”
My brows drew in, “What problem exactly are you talking about?”
Before she could answer, the sound of phones pinging filled the meeting room, almost like a flash message to everyone in the room. I stopped, then turned around to look at them all as they picked up the phones, going through it. Their reactions varied from surprise, astonishment, and a few other emotions I could not point a finger at. But, they all have one thing in common, they all turned to look at me with judging and accusatory eyes.
I could tell because I have been subjected to that look so many times I have become used to it at this point. I could tell whatever it is truly bad as Amy said.
My gaze went to my phone, my brows drawn in. There were no notifications whatsoever, because I always put my phone on flight mode whenever I am having a meeting to tune away any distractions. I am certain it is the only thing saving me from whatever is ongoing.
I picked up the phone, then gave Amy a look that asked her to follow me out, ignoring those judging eyes that followed me, making me feel subconscious of myself. Outside the meeting room was not any better than the inside though, because everyone in the hall had their phones in their hands, and the minute they spotted me, their gazes follow me.
I ignored the looks, keeping my expression blank. I then asked Amy in a small voice. “What is going on?”
Amy who follows closely behind me quickened her pace to walk alongside me, then she briefed me on what exactly is going on. “Information turned up on you blacklisting Crystal, and her career going down the drain because of that.” She stated, which did not come as a surprise to me because I actually anticipated that. I did not anticipate what she added though. “A recording turned up as well.”
“Recording?” I turned my head to look at her with furrowed brows. “What recording?”
She nodded, “Your conversation with her prior to her death.” Her voice was a hushed whisper, as she tried to remain as calm as she can in the eyes of those prying eyes following us around. “You threatening to ruin her life and everything.”
“Everything?” I doubt it was everything. For if it was, then the part of her affair with my brother should be known, and then my actions would be justified to a certain extent. The way people look at me though, it is as if I pushed her myself.
But of course, no one knows that I guess, for Amy nodded. “I have forwarded the article and the recording to you,” She said, making me turn off the flight mode and turned on the wifi on my phone, and almost immediately, messages came flowing. “We have another problem though.”
“Which is?” I looked up from my phone blowing up with messages, wondering what else could there possibly be to add to this.
Amy sighed, her shoulders slumping and her expression appearing torn and tired. “There is a large crowd downstairs in front of the building protesting and trying to get ‘justice’ for her.” The way Amy says it, I can only imagine the amount of people there. “The security has tried to suppress them, but they seemed to only be growing, demanding you are brought to justice for what you did to her.”
I sighed, clicking my tongue as I dug my thumbnail into my finger. The wheels in my head turned, as I came to a quick decision. “Let us head down first.”
Amy stopped, then took a hold of my arm to stop it. “I do not think that is a wise idea,” She tried to sway me. “They are after you. You should not step out in front of them like that. Besides, there are countless reporters there as well.”
“So I should hide?” I arched a brow, my expression stern. “Amelia, I did nothing wrong, and I shall not hide away knowing I am innocent. I cannot, and will not do that.” I shook my head. “I need to speak to the reporters at least before anything else. And that is what I will do.”
I cannot leave this any longer, else it will only grow further. I do not want to.
So, against Amy’s warning eyes, I made my way into the elevator, and she had no choice but to follow me. During the elevator ride, I listened to the voice recording, and true to my initial thoughts, it was tampered to be made to look as though I am the bad guy. Reading the comments under the article sent to me by Amy, it turns out everyone is accusing me of pushing her towards committing suicide—apparently, I instigated it by my harsh words and power tripping.
There is a hell lot of angry and malicious comments that will have one’s mental state spiraling, so instead of dwelling on it and letting it bring me down, I ignored it and left the articles just as the elevator arrived at the lobby floor.
Yawing my expression blank, I stepped out, ignoring the eyes that instantly followed me as well as the sound of my phone buzzing. I made a direct beeline towards the front entrance, and even before arriving, I could spot the sea of crowd of reporters and fans there being held back by security. I found myself second guessing my decision then.
But, my legs had other thoughts, for I found myself still approaching the entrance.
“Ma’am,” The head of security approached me. “We are trying to hold them back; we have even requested back up. You should go back up where it is safe while we try to keep them at bay.”
I kept my eyes on the crowd outside, rowdy as it can be, then asked. “How bad is the situation out?”
“Really bad,” He confessed. “I will not recommend you stepping out else we might not be able to prevent what will happen.”
I know he is right, a part of me wants to listen to him and do as he says, especially when I hear their screams and accusations despite being on the other end of the glass doors given they can now clearly see me, their death glares prominent as ever.
“Murderer!”
“You deserve to die!”
“Justice for Crystal!”
“Die, Isabella Montague! Rot in hell!”
“Say no to power tripping bitches!”
All sorts of insults were rained on me even from the outside, making his and Amy’s warning ring clear in my mind. As much as I want to go out there and try to clear this, I certainly cannot do it in this state. I realized that then.
A small, shaky breath escaped my lips as my shoulders slumped, the reality of everything crashing before me. The severity of it all, I realized it then more than ever. My knees suddenly felt weak as their voices grew louder, my eyes unable to be torn away from the hateful crowd out there while being fully aware of everyone’s gaze on me in the lobby. The judging and accusatory looks of my workers, all no doubt believing the same thing as the others—viewing me as the evil one deserving of death. It was all too much, I could feel the world spinning.
Just as I was about to succumb to it, a familiar voice came that had everything clearing away, a wave of relief instantly crashing on me.
“Isabella,” The voice called out from behind, the familiarity of it almost making me want to shed tears of relief upon hearing it.
Turning around, my gaze fell on Christian approaching from the direction of the back entrance, along with a man I recognize as Carter, his assistant and a few other men in suit whom I could not recognize. He led the way, all dashed up in his unbuttoned suit as he trudged up to me, his steps slightly hasty, but oozing confidence and a dominating aura.
His expression was stern, and his eyes on me, but the minute I parted my lips to breathe out his name, it softened. “Christian…” The relief in my tone could be heard, I am certain.
Christian’s steps hastened, and in a couple of strides, he had covered the distance between us, his arms instantly wrapping around me and pulling me to his chest, uncaring that we have a hell lot of crowd staring at us. I could not care less as well as I melted into him, my arms wrapping around him.
One of his hands patted the back of my head as he whispered, “It is okay,” He cooed, “I am here. It will be alright.” Despite knowing how had this is; I did not doubt his words in the slightest. I have him. I will be alright. It will all be alright.
I am not alone, for once in my life.