Chapter 41 SHARES
ERICA’S POV
I stared down at my wristwatch, tapping my finger against the glass. I need to head out before I am late.
“Nine, make sure he’s dealt with. Don’t let him die, but once they’re done with him, dump him on the street,” I said, turning to Nine, who nodded immediately.
“Oh, Miss… what will they do to him? The males?” she asked, her voice trembling.
A low smile curled across my lips. “Well… watch and see.”
I walked off. Aaron glanced at me and followed, I paused outside the building.
“What?” I asked, my tone cold and sharp. He kept staring. It made my blood boil; damn it, I was running late. But then his gaze softened, I froze. His blue eyes… they felt like calm oceans that could see straight through me.
“What did they do to you?” Aaron asked, and my lashes fluttered.
“Huh?”
What did they do to me? For a brief second my head spun. I couldn’t think straight. I couldn’t possibly tell him I was Celina wearing someone else’s face. I wouldn’t ruin anyone’s life like that.
“Well… they deserve it. I’m just getting justice for the ones they hurt,” I said. Aaron hummed, amusement flickering in his eyes.
“Wow. The daughter of a mafia clan knows justice? That’s the last thing that should concern you,” he said.
I sighed. Erica’s past again. How did he find so much about the face I took, when even I couldn’t find that much back then?
I swallowed, avoiding his gaze, staring instead at his expensive shoes.
“It shouldn’t concern you either, yet you still punish them,” I said.
“I’m doing this because of Celina… You have a motive. A reason, but you’re hiding something,” he added, stepping closer as I stepped back.
He wasn’t wrong. I also had a reason.
I clutched my bag tighter. He closed the distance between us, my back pressing against my car, making my lashes trembled.
“This is inappropriate,” I muttered.
Aaron’s smile widened. “What part of this?”
His voice was gentle but carried weight. It made my skin shiver. I wanted to hear more. I missed his voice. I wished he knew I was Celina. I missed his hugs, his warmth…
But I also wanted to protect him.
“Revenge always bites back. Aaron… you should forget about Celina. She’s dead, not coming back. Holding onto the past will only hurt you. If she were alive, she’d want you to live happily, not drown in guilt over her death. You had no hand in it. She was clearly—”
“Shut it.”
His voice snapped, cold, I could feel the silent daggers in them, enough to make me shiver. My lips parted before clamping shut.
“She’s dead. Accepting that is the only way reality will sink in,” I continued. If he wanted to kill me for telling the truth, so be it.
The moment our eyes met—He was furious. His eyes were beyond dark, filled with rage, even his veins popped out. His chest rose and fell harshly, I tightened my grip on my bag.
“Stop hitting yourself over some dead girl,” I muttered.
Why? Because I needed him angry. I needed him to push me away. Why be loyal for years? I shouldn’t have meant that much to him. He would crumble if he kept holding onto me. I was a lost cause—revenge had already rooted itself in my blood. But him? No. I wouldn’t let him destroy himself again over me.
My eyes darkened. I shoved his hand off me, but he grabbed my wrist.
His grip was strong. My wrist reddened instantly.
“Let go!” I yelled.
He laughed, dark and chilling.
“Do you think it’s easy to forget your own soul?” he asked, stepping dangerously close. “Why do you care so much?”
His grip tightened.
“Shut that mouth of yours. Who I die over isn’t your fcking business. And let me remind you. I can kill you easily right now, but where would the fun be in that?” he whispered, his eyes piercing into mine.
“Little Bee, secrets can’t stay hidden forever. Whatever you’re hiding… I’ll find it. And if you dare betray me or use me, I won’t hesitate to snap your head off your shoulders.”
My lashes trembled. Would he still say that… when he learned the truth? Would he still dare end me?
My lips parted to spit those words at him, but I closed them and tried pulling away.
“Let go!” I yelled again,iInstead, he yanked me closer, my body colliding with his. I shivered as he lowered his head toward me.
“Little Bee… you seem to have a lot to say to me.
.....You’re not Erica… are you?”
MEETING
I sat in the conference room. Aaron’s words still shook me, but I forced myself to keep a cool face. I needed to focus on the plan. Aaron could wait.
Today was my biggest step—taking over Giselle’s company with a higher share. When I ruin her, I want her to have nothing to run to. Nothing to lift her again and that includes this company.
Giselle’s uncle, Finn, raised her, spoiled her, yet she was never satisfied. He left her thirty percent of the shares. I’ve planned for years to gain a higher share. Today was the day I’d destroy any chance she had of rising again.
“Let’s welcome our new shareholder!” Finn announced, gesturing to me, I flashed a wide smile.
“Welcome,” they greeted, one by one.
“We got the golden contract,” Finn said.....The conference room filled with whispers, all eyes turning to me. Yes: that fame was mine.
“It’ll be announced to the public soon,” he added. Then he looked at me. “Erica, please add your words.”
“So, everyone, the launch will be in three weeks. I’ll inform the public beforehand, and a party will be held for customers to make personal purchases: a promo, you could say. Our product will gain more familiarity,” I said, the shareholders clapped.
“Also, I brought a few pieces of our product for you to try. It’s the latest 5G health watch. It tracks routines, reminds you to exercise, and monitors health status. Please take a free sample. After next week, give me your feedback.”
The shareholders eagerly grabbed the gifts. Finn’s company specialized in health technology: meds, devices, innovations. Plus they are popular and loved.....But I’d discovered something sinister behind their operations, something that needed to be corrected. First, though, I want their downfall, they are harming people for selfish gain.
My smile widened as they strapped the watches on.
“Please,” I told Finn, pushing the bag toward him. He froze before picking one and putting it on.
Good. Everything was in place.
“Give honest feedback after our next meeting,” I added. They nodded politely...i sensed it all that respect towards me is fake....They have ruined countless lives.
Those watches were my next step toward winning.
“Thank you for choosing me and my company. You won’t regret it,” I said.
Oh, but they would regret it.....They had just welcomed the devil inside.