Chapter 4 She has value, and I intend to use it
CHAPTER 4: She has value, and I intend to use it
She crashed into me before she even realized someone was standing there.
I caught her instantly before she hit the floor, my hands firm around her elbows. She was light, too light, and trembling. Her dress was damp against my hands, cold from the drink that had been thrown at her. I wasn't prepared for the faint lemony scent…soft and fleeting.
As soon as she was aware of me, she instinctively shrank into herself, jerking away, like even being in the same space as me was a violation, her gaze lowered.
“I’m so sorry, sir,” she whispered, stepping back, making herself small.
She scurried off before I could speak, hurrying down the hallway like someone was going to punish her for taking up space.
I watched her disappear from sight, genuinely intrigued by how she had handled the chaos that just ensued.
And that was something, considering that I never cared to observe other people.
I had been standing there long enough to witness all that happened. I was supposed to meet Chauncey.
I couldn’t understand why she never tried to defend herself.
Instead, she apologised.
She possessed something that was out of place in this environment: restraint, dignity, fear woven into disobedience.
A voice snapped me back.
“Silas!”
Chauncey waved me over from the booth, and I headed his way, stepping past shattered glass, aware of the pairs of eyes that followed my movement.
He smirked when I arrived at the booth, eyes twinkling like the diamond studs in both sides of his nose.
“Bid went through,” he said smoothly, raising his glass. “You're the new owner of OrionTech.”
Chauncey had attended an acquisition auction on my behalf.
A measured satisfaction passed through me. “As it should. Never doubted you could seal the deal.”
He scoffed. “You owe me one, brother. I was supposed to have a meeting with some clients, but I missed it, no thanks to you.”
I glanced at the two ladies on either side of him, sipping on champagne and pretending not to hear our conversation.
From the looks of it, he missed nothing remotely important.
Chauncy read my mind, and rolled his eyes. “Just some entertainment to kill time while I waited for your late ass.”
He flashed them a charming smile, “Okay ladies, I think your company is no longer needed. Go enjoy the night elsewhere.”
They didn't look too cheery at the news, but they left nonetheless.
He leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing as he studied me. “Is something wrong?”
“Luther Corp is being a pain,” I gritted, feeling fresh waves of anger wash over me.
His expression turned serious, brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
I leaned back. “They want to see consistency. Stability. A projection of… family values,” I said. Even now, the words left my lips carefully, restrained, my anger smoldering just beneath the surface.
He looked confused, like I had just told a confusing joke. “Is this supposed to be a corporate joke? I thought you and Betty already had them.”
I clenched my teeth. “Apparently they have concerns… reservations.”
He thought about it for a moment. “How come it never ‘concerned’ them doing business with you before?”
“We weren’t pushing for permanent partnership then.” I leaned forward, my jaw tightening. “I swear if I didn't make—”
“A promise to Simone.” His expression softened.
I nodded.
Simone…my late wife.
It had always been her wish and dream for my investment firm to partner with Luther Corporation. She dreamed of seeing Hearthstone Firm go global.
Chauncey’s gaze shifted, sharp and calculating. “And what do you intend to do? Will you forgo the partnership at this point?” He hesitated, carefully watching my expression. “Or do you have a plan?”
“Betty came up with a plan.”
“What is that?”
“I have to do what is necessary,” I said evenly.
He nodded slowly, then, like a light bulb had gone off in his head, his spine straightened, a flicker of realisation flashing across his face. “Hold on, do you realise the implications of that?”
“It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.”
He looked at me, shell-shocked. “He held out his hand. “Hold on, unless I'm suddenly thinking and hearing nonsense, then we're talking about marriage here.”
I gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. “I know.”
“And you're really doing it… getting remarried?”
“Yes.”
After the death of Simone, I vowed never to make the mistake of marriage or relationships again. But desperate times call for last measures.
He stared at me. “You're serious about this?”
“I won't let this partnership fall through. You know how long we've worked for this.”
Chauncey sighed in frustration. “You're right.” He thought for a moment. “Do you have anyone in mind… I mean a potential candidate?”
I couldn’t understand why I had a flashback of the lady, the drink-drenched server from earlier.
I was snapped back to reality by the arrival of the manager.
“Sirs,” he slightly turned to Chauncey, “once again, accept my apologies for the ugly incident that occurred earlier. Be rest assured that the staff involved will be punished adequately,” he added with poorly veiled self satisfaction.
He lingered, waiting for a commendation. When he didn’t get any,he hastily added,
“We'll ensure everything is handled perfectly for the rest of the night. If there’s anything—”
I cut him off, my tone calm, deliberate, leaving no room for questioning. “Send the girl, the one who was involved in the earlier incident. I want her to serve us.”
The manager blinked, startled at the request. “S‐sir?”
Chauncey’s eyes flicked toward me, a bit surprised… suspicion lingering. “How do you know about that?” his eyes narrowed. “You saw it,” he murmured, realisation dawning.
I didn’t answer. I shot the manager a dark look that left no room for further delay or questions.
He swallowed heavily. “O-of course, sir,” he nodded, then hurried away.
“What are you planning? You asked for her, why?” Chauncey asked, eyes narrowed, tone serious.
I leaned back, slightly, crossing one leg over the other. “I have to confirm something.”
Maybe I was desperate. Or maybe I was being too hasty in my decision. It was crazy, even to me, but that girl suddenly seemed like the perfect fit.
She read the room, and acted accordingly. She didn't create the problem, but tried to solve it. And that was exactly what I needed right now.
I knew how people could put on an act, but I was a good judge of character. And I believed that she wasn’t playing to any gallery.
But I still had to confirm it.
“She has value and I intend to use it.”
I could see the gears turning in his head until realisation shone in his eyes. “Silas… are you—”
I scoffed dryly. “Don't seem so surprised. It's just business.”
He couldn't believe that I was serious about this. “Come on, brother. You don't even know this girl.”
“I don't need to be familiar with her. I just need someone that fits the bill… she does.”
If I was going to get married because of this, I needed someone who would be easy to deal with.
Chauncey rubbed his jaw, deep in thought. He leaned forward, about to say something, then stopped when his gaze landed on something, or someone behind me.
Moments later, the girl appeared, tentative, pale, shoulders curling inward in an instinctive attempt to make herself small.
The manager hovered behind her, watching her with hawk-eyed suspicion.
She carried her tray carefully, her eyes lowered, flicking up only briefly. But when she saw that I was already looking at her, she ducked again.
She carefully dropped the tray on the low table, then proceeded to open the bottle with trembling hands. All this time my gaze was locked on her.
She was beautiful, to say the least. Dark hair tied in a low neat bun, slim curvy body that would have any man fantasizing about her. She would stun and turn many heads with a few changes.
Done pouring the drinks, she stepped back, rubbing her palms on her dress, eyes still lowered.
Chauncey’s voice was soft but precise. “Sorry about earlier, once again. You weren't able to get that out?” he gestured to the stain on her dress.
“It’s fine, sir,” she replied in a barely audible voice. She turned to retreat, but I stopped her with a hand resting lightly on the tray, the authority behind it unspoken yet absolute.
“Stop.”
She froze.
Her head lifted just enough to glance at me, and I saw the flicker of apprehension before she quickly lowered her gaze again.
I saw how her fingers tightened around the tray.
“Did you need something else, sir?”
I allowed the moment to stretch, noting her restraint, her unwillingness to draw attention, her instinctive caution.
Chauncey glanced between us, clearly uncomfortable. “Look, brother. Maybe now is not the best time. You can’t possibly—”
I interrupted lightly, voice flat, but still pointed. “I think now's as good a time as ever,” I replied without taking my eyes off her. “Sit.”
She raised her gaze, confused. “Sir?”
“Sit down,” I repeated in a more steely voice.
The irritating manager was already getting on my nerves. He wanted to say something, but Chauncey shot him a look, and he withdrew, but still hovered around.
She dropped into the same couch as Chauncey, perching dangerously close to the edge, like she was afraid the seat would burn her.
I regarded her for a second, then went straight to the point. “What is your name?”
“Vera.”
“Well, Vera. For the right amount of money, would you be willing to do anything I tell you to?”
Chauncey shot upright. “Silas…what the hell—”
She froze completely, horror flickering across her face. But even then, no anger. No outrage. Only quiet, controlled shock and fear.
“I’m sorry, sir,” she said slowly. “I don’t understand.”
I didn't flinch.
“Jesus Christ,” Chauncey muttered under his breath.
A faint vibration drew my attention to the phone tucked at her side.
She didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. Didn’t dare reach for it.
“Answer it,” I said.
She paused, looking at me like she wasn't sure what she heard.
“Go ahead.”
“Thank you,” she slowly pulled the phone out and accepted the call.
“Lily?” she breathed into the receiver.
Whatever she heard next drained the color from her face.
“I—I’m coming,” she whispered, suddenly in a panicked state, then ended the call abruptly.
“I’m sorry, sir,” she said, voice trembling now. “Please, I need to be excused.”
Chauncey frowned. “Everything okay?”
“Yes,” she lied instantly. “I just… I have to go.”
The manager stepped forward as if to object.
I lifted a hand. “Let her.”
She was equal parts, surprised, confused and unmistakably grateful.
“Thank you, sir.” She fled the moment those words left her mouth.
“Get lost,” Chauncey spat at the manager, and he scurried away. He turned to me. “What the hell are you playing at, Silas?”
I didn’t reply because I was already raising my phone to my ears after dialling a number.
“The server that just stepped out of the club now… Follow her.”