39

"Raven, my child I haven't seen you here in a while." Iheard the voice causing me to smile. I saw Mrs Williams beaming at me, she ran on her stumpy legs and engulfed me in a hug. I let out an omphand patted her back, trying to get out of her hold.

She turned me around examining me with her narrowed eyes and hit the back of my head.

"Ouch, what was that for." I pouted sulkily rubbing the back of my head.

"You have lost so much weight, you look pale. Have you been eating, or still loading yourself up on candy." She questioned impatiently pulling me towards her cabin.

"I hardly eat candy, Dave has banned me from eating anything sweet."I said grumpily. Indeed Dave had thrown out all my secret stashes of candy, claiming he couldn't handle a sugar hoped me.

Mrs Williams smiled and passed me a box with choco chip cookies. I squealed and munched onthe sugary delight and gave her a toothy grin. Never did I have a motherly figure coo over me and baby

me, so when Mrs Williams did that it made me feel like I too deserve a family, a parent who cares for me.

"So why are you here, did you miss me?" She asked perching on her desk and beaming at me.

"Of course I missed you, but I'm here for our regularthing." I answered. Mrs Williams pursued her lips and came close to me holding my hand. I was ready for this argument which took place every

year.

"Raven, I know your a good kid. The best person Iwould meet, but honey you do enough for us. I don't feel it's right to take so much money from you. I've been talking to other investors, some may take pity

on us."She mumbled.

"Mrs Williams, no one has to take pity on you. I don't do it for that reason. I want to leave a mark on my life, all that I do in life doesn't bring me peace this is what I can give back." I gave her my same

argument.

Mrs Williams lost her husband to a car accidentfive years ago, I found the broken lady crying her eyes out in the cemetery. I persuaded her to start an orphanage. Since that time on my every birthday I sponsored the education of a child. I never had a reason to celebrate my birthday,

I didn't have anyone or a reason to consider it special. So I decided instead of doing something for myself I decided to make it special for someone else.

It took us a while to set up a building, and bringin children. It broke my heart to see so many young kids go through so much in life. It reminded me that people suffer more than me, I'm not the only one suffering, so if they can fight back and be happy I definitely could.

I particularly didn't have the best childhood so I wanted to give these kids a reason to celebrate and feel special.

Raven's pov

How the hell did this happen?" I roared, wanting to punch something. I was mad enough to set the world on fire.

Calm

Calm down

Who am I kidding I'm close to having a panic attack.

Lisa gulped in fear, taking a few steps back. It was not fair taking my anger out on her, but the feeling of helplessness clawed at my heart. It reminded me of the old days, with my parents when there was nothing I could do.

I hated that, I tried to at least have certain

aspects of my life under control, but situations like these made me want to kill someone.

"Do you know how this happened?"I asked Lisa.

Lisa clearly not wanting me to have an episode, or start screaming evaluated her answer. I took a few deep breaths and gave her a small smile, it took a lot of effort there, urging her to continue.

"I don't know anything, Ms King. I've put Ross on duty and informed Dave." Lisa assured.

This didn't make the situation better, going to information from Ross, the lazy pig will take a lot of time, any delay can affect my company now.

"How did they get hold of our designs?"I roared.

It took us a minimum of six months to get the designs and materials ready, but now they secured the patent rights, there was no basis for an injunction. There was no proof, to actually hold a trial. It was someone on the inside who was responsible for this.

The gems had arrived and some of the workers had gotten started on the jewelry, there was no time to change designs, the resources were a waste of time and money.

My father's words echoed in my head. Him

reminding me that I couldn't do anything, I was not good enough. No don't think about those days Raven.

Dave burst into my office, looking scared. No don't show weakness, falling weak is not an option now. Remember your promise to fight back.

"Lisa, contact our lawyer and check if anything can be done before the designs go out in the market" I instructed.

"I want Mike on duty, he will report to me every person who accessed their designs. I want every detail checked. If anyone is found guilty I'll personally make sure they see hell."

Lisa nodded and left the cabin hurriedly. Dave was still not looking at me, he was hiding something from me.

"Dave what's wrong?"I asked.

He opened and closed his mouth, he was definitely not telling me something now.

"The shares, we had an issue with. There is a new board member, he has access to about forty five percent now. We don't know who or how he is, but it spells trouble." Dave answered.

"Don't you think it's a little convinenet that a person gets into our board and then our designs get stolen."

Of course, it was not a coincidence. Think

about it a person goes around the matter acquires shares and becomes a board member, at the same time important designs for our most trusted buyer get stolen. It was a ploy to spoil the company name in the market. If we run around trying to file injunction, word goes out and stocks accumulate and value in the market goes down.

"Keep the matter among us, contact the rival

company and find out if we can negotiate a deal."I instructed.

"I'll call for a board meeting, whoever that mystery person will have to attend the meeting in person. Once I see him I will handle it." I told Dave gathering up some files and rushing to contact the board members.

Time for a board meeting, mystery person will not remain a mystery for long.

****

"Hey grumpy" I heard a voice call out. I sighed tiredly and found Luke giving me a warm smile. I replied a hey and went back to playing with my fingers. It was something I did when I was nervous.

"Why are you so quite?" He asked sitting beside me.

"Problems Luke." I replied vaguely.

"I'm afraid you have to be more specific."he

countered.

"Go bug your kids Luke."I said dryly.

"Chris and Alec have gone to play football, and if I bug my wife she will divorce me." He pouted.

"Why are you interrogating me?"I asked.

"Fine, don't tell me."he pouted. Again remind me why a billionaire was acting like a kid.

"It's not like that."I added.

"Then let me tell, what is it like."he argued. I would give him, he was persistent.

"I feel like I'm losing everything, I'm not capable enough to do anything. Maybe they were right, people like me don't deserve to have good things. Maybe I never should have done anything. Again I'm in the same position, I'm helpless."I said.

"Hey, you know life throws problems only at

those people who are capable enough to face it. Warriors are the ones on the battlefield, civilians stay aside. Anyone who tells you are not capable, I will personally give them a black eye." Luke said

softly.

"I know you Raven, I believe you will do the right thing and when you do it I will be standing right here proud of you. You are like my Chris and Alec, better than them. No matter what happens I will always have your back."

That's all it took for me to break into tears and hug Luke, he chuckled and patted my back. These were the words I wanted my father to say, he never did.

But here was another man, who did more than my father saying he trusted and believed in me, I will do everything to make him proud.

"So, you were gonna buy me ice cream." He said smiling cheekily.

"No, I didn't."I argued.

Luke took my hand and led me to the ice cream parlour all the way bickering about why he is the best person in the world.

"So can we start the meeting." Mr Noah asked nervously looking around the room.

"There's one more partner yet to come, then we can start." I answered. Going according to the plan, I had set up a meeting with all the board members trying to bring out the mystery man.

"I guess he's here." Dave said looking towards the door.

A bulky man with narrow hawk eyes stepped into the room, his gaze filtered across the room and when it landed on me there was a particular spark of hatred, before it could be seen it was replaced

by a mask of friendliness. The tightening of the fist, the lack of eye contact, a professional tight lipped smile. The guy hates me.

Of course, I didn't see that coming. The final pieces were falling into place. There was no need to find out anything, this was a pre planned thing, Adam like a kid tattled to his father, and now daddy dearest is here to turn the tables.

"Nice to meet you Liam Rian." I said stretching my hand for a handshake.

He tightened his grip on my hand clearly trying to state his dominance. I smiled warmly, a new opponent in my ring, let's see how long he can stay.

"So, let's start the meeting." I announced.

Dave stood up and told everyone about the company's progress, the details regarding the profits, the funds, the shares were being told to the partners.

Liam Rian sat in the corner the least bit interested in anything that was said, he would occasionally look up, glare at me as usual wishing my death and then go back to broodingly stare at the table.

"So I think that's it." Dave said trying to wrap up the meeting.

"Why don't you tell us about the recent issue in your company?" Liam asked eyes intent on me.

There he goes executing the first phase of your plan. He brings up an issue he most likely created, now let's see what he has in mind.

"Why don't you enlighten us about this issue your worried about?" I challenged.

Liam with precise detail explained the patent situation, I was surprised he knew more than me. He had previous dealings with the rival firm and claimed he had experience in handling such matters.

Translation I myself have done all bad

things so I know how to handle it without being caught.

"Want to explain how you know about this issue with details, when no one besides Dave and I know." I prodded him.

"I have my sources." He replied smugly.

Translation I have people spying on you.

"So I think the board would like to know, what measures you take to solve this issue "He challenged.

I cleared my throat and said "I have talked to our lawyer to file an injunction, if we can I will strike a deal with them against selling our jewelry in the market."

"Is that all you thought about." He challenged.

"Why don't you tell me, what else I can do."

"As a matter of fact I did this."he answered and kept a file on the table. "I met with the manager of your said company and nicely asked to stop their nonsense, they didn't listen so I had to be a little persuasive."

"By persuasive you mean, blackmail them

about their family and threaten them to do your bidding." Dave shot back.

Of course, this was an old trick of Adam and his dad, when people don't come your way you create circumstances that compel them to come your way.

"But I did the job." He argued. "I think we should always think about our company and not anyone else."

"But we always follow our ethics." I said irritated. Him calling my company 'our' made my blood boil. He was using his dirty tricks for my company now. He targeted the one thing I had ever done for myself.

"Dont you think it's wise to put a person who protects the company regardless of ethics or morals." He asked the board.

This big lump of donkey poop, really he comes into my office, sits in my company, and threatens to replace me.

"I suppose you mean replace me with you." I voiced his underlying meaning.

"Oh don't get me wrong, I'm an old man who has neither interest now capability to run a company as big as yours."he said keeping his voice calm and collected.

"Then who do you suppose should replace me." He cleared his throat dramatically and faced the board members making his voice deep he uttered the words which changed the direction of my life.

"I propose Dave Salve as the new company head to replace Raven King."

What, did he really just do what I thought. No, he was trying to put a wedge between me and Dave. He was taking away all the things I once thought precious. With this one blow he will take away my company and my best friend.

"Are you trying to question, my ability to run the company." I asked dangerously.

"Of course not, I am merley telling that some of your previous decisions were not in favour of the company, so maybe you should take a break, and let your best friend handle things. Once you feel better you can always come back."

"Pray tell me which wrong decision I took which did not favour the company." I asked briskly.

"Two weeks ago you made a massive donation to an orphanage." He said.

What now he's targeting my orphanage,"I believe I was fulfilling my social responsibility."

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I'm just pointing out that maybe some of your decisions were not beneficial. So instead of taking a wrong decision that results in us winding up the company, maybe you should take a break and let your best friend

handle it." He explained.

"Those in favour of my proposition please vote for me."he called out.

All the members I trusted raised their hand in favour of Liam's decision. But Dave and many of the members I trusted voted against his decision.

Put your hands up people because Raven King is not leaving her company.

"I suppose you know the final outcome of

your vote." I mocked. Poor thing went to so much lengths to replace me only to fall flat on his face.

"Ohh Raven, don't underestimate me ever. "he warned."The game just started."