Chapter 34 Smarter Choice
ANNA'S POV
I took in a deep breath and slowly released it, feeling the tightness in my chest ease just a little. My fists were still clenched at my sides as I walked backstage, each step helping me put more distance between myself and the two people who had spent the last few minutes trying to tear me down. Even as I turned the corner, I could still feel the heavy stare of both Melissa and James burning into my back, their eyes following me with that same judgment and arrogance they always carried.
Leaving was the smarter choice. I knew myself well enough to understand that if I didn’t walk out of there, I was going to do something I would regret later. My hands were already itching to slap both of them across the face for their nonsense. The anger was already bubbling up, and if I stayed even a second longer, the situation would have escalated. And I wasn’t about to let that happen — not tonight of all nights.
The second reason I walked away was that I could see my dad stepping onto the stage. The moment I saw him take the microphone, I already knew what the announcement was about. He was finally going to let everyone know that I’d be taking over the company. That all the rumors floating around were true. That his successor — someone no one knew, someone they never expected was me.
Honestly, after everything that happened today, I was looking forward to the moment he’d call my name. I wanted to see their faces — the shock, the confusion, the embarrassment. After the way both Melissa and James looked down on me today, I wanted nothing more than to watch their expressions shatter when they realized I wasn’t just some worker serving drinks. I wasn’t just someone struggling to get by. I wasn’t the girl they threw away and treated like dirt. I was a Quinn. And I wasn’t just any Quinn… I was the next CEO.
I honestly didn’t expect to see them here. When I heard Melissa’s voice earlier, I recognized it instantly. For a moment, I thought maybe my mind was playing tricks on me. It had been years since we last crossed paths. But then I remembered that this ceremony was an open event for upcoming billionaire CEOs and entrepreneurs. Anyone trying to build something for themselves could show up.
And although that asshole James wasn’t anywhere close to being a billionaire, or even close to being stable, he still came anyway. Typical.
With the way he spoke, it was clear why he came. He wasn’t here to celebrate anyone’s success or to enjoy the event. He came because he needed investors. He came because he wanted to talk to my dad. Maybe even beg for a seat with him. Which could only mean one thing, his company was running low on funds. Probably because of that mess with his drug. Trouble was finally catching up with him.
And if that was the case, then the Lord truly delivered my enemy to my doorstep today. Made my job even easier than I planned. The irony of it almost made me laugh.
Normally, someone like him — someone who said the things he said to me today should be thrown out of this building without hesitation. I should’ve had security escort him out by his collar. But there was a better and more strategic way to handle them both. I wasn’t going to let my anger get in the way of the plans I’d been building carefully.
If he came here looking for investors, then an investor he would get.
This was the perfect opportunity to come in as an unknown shareholder and buy myself into the board of directors in his company. Quietly. Without revealing who I was. Without letting him know that the same woman he mocked tonight would soon have power over him.
Once I bought enough shares, I’d be in a position to expose him to the world for the fraud he truly was. Step by step. No rush. No mistakes.
I bit down on my lower lip as I thought about James alone. His face. The arrogance that never left him. The things he said to me today, it took more control than I thought I had just to walk away. Just to stop myself from slapping both him and Melissa for every disgusting word that came out of their mouths.
How he dared to bring up my child. A child he had a hand in killing. A child I would never get to hold because of him.
I felt a burn behind my eyes, the sting of tears trying to force their way out. My chest tightened. My throat felt heavy for a second. I inhaled sharply and shut my eyes, blocking the tears before they could fall. Not today. Not in front of anyone.
I really needed to be stronger than this. I knew it was okay to cry sometimes, but the rate at which I got emotional was too common. Too vulnerable. And vulnerability wasn’t something I could afford anymore, not with the responsibility my dad was about to hand over to me.
I needed to be stricter. More authoritative. More in control. I needed to act like the woman who would lead Quinn’s Enterprise. Not the woman who used to sell cakes on the roadside. Not the woman who once cried over James.
James might think that coming to this ceremony would change his situation, but he had no idea that it was the biggest mistake of his life.
I sat quietly backstage, letting the muffled sound of the crowd wash over me as I waited for my dad to finish speaking and call me out. My hands rested on my knees, still trembling slightly, though I forced them to steady. The lights from the stage spilled into the dark backstage area, giving everything around me a warm glow.
Then I heard footsteps approaching behind me.
I turned around slowly and saw my mom walking toward me with her secretary beside her. My mom’s expression was soft — proud, encouraging, and calm.
“There’s no need for you to feel nervous, okay? You’re going to do great,” Mom said, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.
“I’m absolutely fine, Mom,” I replied confidently. “Back when I sold my cakes by the roadside, I met and spoke with new faces every day. So coming out in front of everyone wouldn’t be much of a diff…” I paused slightly, then continued, “...wouldn’t be much of a difference.”
Speaking of my roadside sales, my eyes shifted to the woman standing beside Mom. Her secretary. So Mom was actually serious when she said the lady who came to buy cake from me that afternoon worked for her. I hadn’t believed her at first.
“Hello, ma’am,” the woman said with a polite bow. “I don’t believe I’ve properly introduced myself. My name is Lita. I’m currently working for your parents, but once your father announces you as his next successor, I’ll officially become your personal secretary.”
I raised my brows slightly and glanced from my mom to her. I definitely didn’t see that coming. I had never thought about it, but yes… I needed a secretary. Someone organized, someone smart, someone who could help me navigate everything that was coming my way.
“Nice to meet you, Lita,” I replied.
Then I stood to my feet.
Dad was rounding up his speech. I could hear the applause building up from the crowd. My cue was coming. My moment.
I let out a small breath, already knowing exactly what I was going to do when I stepped out there.
It was time.