Chapter 77: Shocked

Maya's pov

Why would I owe such importance? I was just an assistant CEO, and Mr. Grayson, the actual CEO, was still here. These thoughts kept running through my mind as I tried to figure out where I had heard the word, “anonymous” before. It was so close to the surface of my memory, yet the tension in the air made it impossible to focus.

Pretending to stay calm, I walked into the conference hall. The moment I did, my gaze fell on Hazel. She didn’t even glance my way or acknowledge my presence. How could she forget all I had done for her? Without me, she would still be an ordinary staff member, far from the position she now held. The betrayal stung deeply. My eyes blinked rapidly as I fought back the tears threatening to fall.

It wasn’t just about her disloyalty. Hazel’s actions had cost me something much more precious. If not for her, I wouldn’t have lost my relationship with the man I had met at the hotel. That thought weighed heavily on my mind, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it.

The large projector suddenly lit up, and Mr. Jackson appeared on the screen. It was a live transmission. His first words made it clear they could see us.

“Welcome, Miss Maya. Now, we can begin the crucial meeting,” he said.

We all sat down, but my mind wandered. Whatever they had to say didn’t matter. From my experience, whenever a company changed management or was bought out, the executives were always the first to suffer. Either I’d be demoted or, worse, fired.

Mr. Jackson continued speaking, talking about his organization’s achievements before the transition. It felt like he went on for hours, though it was probably only ten minutes. All I could think was, Just get on with it. Tell us our fate already.

Finally, Mr. Jackson said, “Now, the time has come for the person in charge to address you and share his vision.”

My eyes shifted to the screen, waiting to see this mysterious new owner. When his face appeared, my heart skipped a beat.

“Welcome, Mr. Wale. He is the new owner,” Mr. Jackson announced.

The screen shifted, and there he was, Wale, my ex-husband. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at his face. He wasn’t just looking at me; he was looking at all of us. Why had he done this? Why had he gone so far as to buy the company where I worked?

The first reaction came from Mr. Grayson.

“What? Mr. Wale?” he shouted, standing up in anger.

Wale remained calm, watching him with a neutral expression. He didn’t respond immediately, waiting for the room to settle.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” Wale began. “I have a few words to share before the acting CEO continues this meeting. First, let me say how impressed I am with your accomplishments.”

My chest tightened. What am I waiting for? I’m about to lose my job.

Wale continued, “The office of Mr. Grayson is now vacant. He is no longer the CEO. From this moment, I am the CEO, though I will not handle the day-to-day operations. That will be the responsibility of the acting CEO.

“My first change is the company name. It will no longer be called Omega Corporation. From today, it will be B and A Corporation.”

What does B and A stand for?

The room fell silent as his words sank in.

Wale smiled, seemingly pleased with the effect he was having. “Now, I am pleased to introduce the new acting CEO: Miss Maya.”

My picture appeared on the screen.

“What?” My voice was barely a whisper. Shock flooded my system.

Wale had gone so far as to buy this company just to get close to me. That much was clear. But I wouldn’t let him win. I stood abruptly.

“I reject your appointment,” I said firmly, my voice echoing in the room.

The air seemed to freeze. Wale’s expression showed he was shocked. Clearly, he hadn’t expected this. Recovering quickly, he said, “The meeting is adjourned. Maya, I need a word with you. Everyone else, please leave.”

One by one, the attendees filed out, their curious gazes lingering on me. But I stayed. I didn’t know why. Perhaps I needed closure, or maybe I just wanted to face him. It was just the two of us now, Wale on the screen and me in the conference hall.

Before I could speak, Mr. Grayson made a scene. He refused to leave, sitting stubbornly in his chair.

Wale’s calm demeanor vanished. His voice turned sharp as he addressed the situation.

“Security,” he said, and three guards entered the room.

“Our boss has instructed you to leave,” one of them said to Grayson. “You may collect your belongings from your office.”

Grayson stood but turned to me before leaving. “Maya, don’t fall for this! Marry me, and it’ll be your greatest revenge!” he shouted.

I shook my head, his words absurd. I’d never even considered marrying him.

“Take him out of the building,” Wale ordered.

I turned back to the screen, meeting Wale’s gaze head-on. I could see something in his eyes, and that was disappointment, maybe even regret. But I wasn’t going to let him manipulate me.

“Is that all you wanted to say?” I asked coldly.

“Maya…” he began, his voice softer now.

“I’m done here,” I said, cutting him off.

I was about to walk out of the room without looking back when he called my name.

“Maya! Maya!!” His voice clearly showed I was winning. I felt a strange sense of relief. This wasn’t just about Wale trying to win me back. This was about me taking control of my life, refusing to be a pawn in his game or anyone else’s. I stood and asked,

“What do you have to say?” my eyes locked on him on the screen. “I am waiting,” I continued, “not because I’ve accepted the position you gave me, but to see just how far your plan will go. Why did you have to sack Mr. Grayson? Do you think money and influence can buy my heart? I am not your Assistant CEO, and just like you threw Mr. Grayson out of this building, I’m leaving as well.”

“Are you really going to marry him?” His voice trembled with frustration, his face a mix of disbelief and anger. This was something I love to see.

I said nothing more. I walked out of the conference room, slamming the door behind me. I could hear him calling my name again, “Maya, wait…” but I didn’t stop. My anger at what my ex-husband had done boiled inside me, and I had no intention of turning back.

As I stepped outside with my baby, I saw someone I wasn’t expecting, Mr. Grayson. I thought he had left after being unceremoniously dismissed, but there he was, waiting for me. He rushed toward me, his expression desperate, and one of his knees nearly touched the ground as he pleaded.

“Thank you for not accepting Mr. Wale’s appointment,” he began. “Please, let’s renew the few months left in our secret contract. If not for love, then at least to show Wale that money and influence are worthless when it comes to love and compassion.”

I looked into his eyes, searching for sincerity. His words were heartfelt, but my heart wasn’t in it. My mind wandered to someone else, the man at the hotel. He had captured my thoughts in a way no one else could.

“I’m sorry, I can’t,” I said softly.

Tears welled in Mr. Grayson’s eyes, and for a moment, I was taken aback. I had never seen him like this before and seeing a man crying, I had only seen in a movie.

“I’ve never been in love before,” he said, his voice cracking. “But when I saw you, my whole world changed. Please, make some part of my life memorable.”

I was at a loss for words. I couldn’t accept him out of pity, not when my heart yearned for someone else. I stayed silent and walked away, leaving him standing there. Rejecting him again felt cruel, especially given the vulnerable state he was in, but I had to be true to myself.

As I drove home, the tension of the situation weighed on me. My thoughts kept drifting to the man from the hotel. I hadn’t spoken to him all day, and I felt an inexplicable urge to hear his voice. Once I got home, I immediately picked up my phone and dialed his number.

The phone rang and rang until the call ended without an answer. Just as I was about to try again, a message notification popped up. My heart leapt with excitement, hoping it was from him. This was the moment I had been waiting for, a response from the man who had consumed my thoughts.

Smiling, I opened the message.

“This should be the last time you call me. I am in love with my woman…”

I didn’t finish reading the message before the phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor with a crack. I stood there, staring at it, as if the words had physically struck me. He had rejected me, the man I had pinned all my hopes on.

Tears streamed down my face as I tried to process the rejection. The same man who had made me feel alive had just shattered my heart. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. My stomach twisted at the thought that it might be Mr. Grayson.

When I opened the door, there he was.

“Grayson? What are you doing here?” I asked coldly, transferring my aggression.

“Why are you crying?” he asked gently, his voice soft with concern.

“Please, go away. I don’t want to talk to you right now. I’m heartbroken,” I said and I was surprised that it wasn't only my voice trembling, but my fingers.

Grayson didn’t leave. He stood there, watching me as tears rolled down my cheeks. I felt guilty. Maybe this was how Grayson had felt earlier, when he had begged me not to leave him.

“Don’t cry,” he said softly. “Why should you cry over Wale and what he’s done?”

“I’m not crying over Wale,” I replied, wiping my tears. “My boyfriend broke my heart.”

Grayson’s face softened as he moved closer to me. “How did it happen?” I was surprised he didn't react negatively.

“He told me never to call him again because he’s in love with someone else,” I confessed.

“It means he has been cheating on you,” Grayson said. “I’m so sorry this happened to you. But I promise, I would never treat you like that. You are my first love. My heart melts every time I hear your name.”

Before I could respond, the door burst open, and Wale stormed in, flanked by one of his guards. His face was flushed with anger.

“Maya, you need to come back home,” he demanded, his voice harsh. “I’ve ended all my relationships because of you. Look at what I just sent to someone for your sake.”

Wale held up his phone, as if to prove his point, but his words only deepened the chaos in my heart.

What was I supposed to do now?