Chapter 85: My Plans

William didn’t respond to her taunt. Instead, he stared at her for a moment before blurting out what was truly in his heart. “Let’s talk over a meal.”

Sarah scoffed. “I have no plans on reminiscing the past with you, Chairman Colton.”

William was helpless at her refusal. “I haven’t had anything to eat since morning.”

Sarah’s expression softened and she looked at the irritated cab driver. “Please drop my brother at the hotel,” she instructed promptly before turning to Carson. “I will see you in a couple of hours.”

“Remember to get back before traffic gets terrible,” Carson reminded. This was the scenario he had expected so he wasn’t too surprised.

No sooner had the car disappeared out of view than William loosened his grip on Sarah. He had been terrified that she would leave him again. He was tired and agonized over the very thought.

Sarah confidently walked over to William’s car and slid inside. When William followed suit, he heard a conversation that raised his heckles.

“You changed your job from being an executive assistant to his personal chauffeur?” Sarah asked sarcastically.

“Fancy coming from the ex-girlfriend who ran away so dramatically that I would rather watch a movie,” Luca snapped back.

Sarah chuckled. “Thank god you have not changed.”

“You should have called or emailed if you missed me. Just because you broke up with my boss doesn’t mean you abandon me, too.”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “Your loyalty is with him. You would run to report to him immediately. Moreover, I was busy.”

William found it unbearable that the two of them treated him like air. “You two are still as chummy.”

He had been mildly jealous of their friendship until the very end. It seemed like a much stronger bond than his push and pull with Sarah. But then they were secure and he never thought about it too deeply. He felt the jealousy acutely at that moment.

“Lovers come and go but friends are forever,” Sarah said lightly, not expecting a retort.

“You sound so loyal to your friends that I would find it hard to believe that you ghosted them for two years because of an ex-lover.” He glared at her.

“I was busy,” she repeated.

William knew not to instigate her more. She might ask them to stop the car and barge out if he did.

They stopped in front of a restaurant and were seated quickly. Luca promptly took a separate seat, giving the two some space to talk. William ushered the waiter over and placed the order without taking Sarah’s opinion.

She was about to comment when she realized he had ordered everything she enjoyed eating. Even some things he didn’t like. Her heart fluttered and she willed herself to harden her resolve.

“It’s gentlemanly to ask for your companion’s opinion before ordering,” she commented, leaning back and crossing her feet, ready for a fight.

William looked at her nonchalantly. “I was never a gentleman to begin with. And why waste time asking for your opinion when I already know what you would order?” William questioned. As a businessman, wasting time was the worst of sins.

“You should still ask. People change and so do their tastes,” she said pointedly.

He smirked. “I got your message. I won’t be begging you to get back with me. I have business with you, which is why I stopped you.” The defense came so naturally that Sarah believed it.

“I didn’t expect anything else from you,” she replied calmly. “Tell me.”

William noticed the business-like posture and started speaking. “My father fell ill shortly after you left. I am already the chairman of Colton Group but I think fairness is important.”

“Cut to the point.”

“I still believe you should take over Stone and Brothers as per your father’s wish,” he insisted. Sarah raised her brow in question. “I have nothing to gain other than the trust and cooperation of the company. I have found out that your father left a will to hand over all his shares to your mother and you on his death.”

Sarah nodded in understanding. “He must have known he was going to die, then.”

“You are not surprised,” William whispered. He understood why quickly. “You are the one who was looking into Uncle Phillip’s death.”

“Even though I didn’t know him, just like you said, I do believe in fairness. If his death has anything to do with Vera Kincaid, I will make sure she is punished for it.” She stopped to look at him. William looked like he wanted to say something, so she started again. “But that doesn’t mean I will inherit the business. I have no intention of getting the will and claiming my place.”

William cocked his head to the side. “Your idea of fairness is limited. Part of punishing Vera will be to take her position in Stone and Brothers. You don’t need to take over… establish yourself and oust her. Leave her without power so that she doesn’t have any way to wriggle out.”

Sarah chuckled. “You never change… You are trying to trick me so that you can get your way later on.”

William pressed his lips together in annoyance. He decided not to take her bait. “I have been buying shares of the company for the past few years. Once we find out where your father’s will is, Vera Kincaid will lose her position.” He stopped and looked at her reaction.

“Okay,” was her simple response.

“I understand that you are not interested but I am going to do my best to return the favor. You helped Colton Group get out of a bad situation. No matter what you think, I truly was with you without wanting any profit in return. I was sincere to you,” he insisted.

“William…”

Hearing Sarah say his name, all his resolve crumbled. “I really didn’t want to do this, Sarah. I am not cool like you. I can’t just sit here with you and pretend that I didn’t love you with everything I had. You can forget about the good and bad times we shared but I am not like that. Every time I see you, I remember having you in my arms. And the only thing I can do right now is to help you with what you want.”

Sarah was rendered speechless.

“I am not going to beg you to take me back. I still don’t think I said or did anything wrong to you. But I respect your decision. I was angry at you for not fighting but now that you are in front of me…”

‘I can’t remember any of it,’ he finished the sentence in his head.

Sarah gulped and looked at anything except William. She didn’t give him any hope but also didn’t dash his plans completely. She couldn’t when he looked so heartbroken.

Two years had gone by and her feeling of betrayal had slowly diminished. But she still remembered the crushing feeling of overhearing him talking to his father.

“I need some time to think. I have my own plans.”