Chapter 6: Fate Calls in a Ringing Tone
A dark night settled over Lichfield, yet Frances felt a spark of resolve burning inside her. After a month of considering the suggestion to expand her company to Macedonia, she finally decided to act—not because of shareholders' pressure, but because she had shifted her mindset. She knew she could not run forever. Fate had a way of colliding lives, dragging people together whether they wanted it or not.
She exhaled slowly, sipping her coffee, staring out at the city lights flickering below. Her project demanded attention, and Bianca, her PA, had already drafted the proposal for the Luce Group. Yet her eyes kept returning, almost magnetically, to the bold letters on the document lying on her desk: STAFFORD RAYMOND.
The name felt like fire in her veins. This was the man she had fled, the one she had used as her escape route to plot her revenge. Now, she had no choice but to face him, to confront whatever fate had in store. Her chest tightened, yet she straightened in her chair, spinning slowly around and letting a small, fierce smile tug at her lips.
She had overcome so much already. Why let the future intimidate her?
"I will overcome you all," she whispered, letting the words anchor the resolve that had carried her since childhood.
"Hello, have you prepared for the flight tomorrow?" Bianca's voice pulled her back to the present.
"Yes," Frances replied, her tone steady. "We leave at 7 a.m. sharp. I have a meeting with the CEO of Luce Group in the morning."
She turned back to the papers on her desk, scanning them carefully. "I'm going through what you drafted. Change some clauses in the contract. I'll send the details via text. Is that okay?"
"Yes, ma'am," Bianca answered promptly.
Frances nodded, already plotting her next moves, feeling the pulse of control returning to her. No matter what, she would rise.
In Macedonia, Charlotte Blake sat at home, a thrill of satisfaction bubbling inside her. Her mind drifted to the past, to the times Flora had stood in her way. Flora, brilliant and unsuspecting, had never seen through Charlotte's smiles and deceit. She had framed Flora countless times, and Flora had continued to trust her blindly.
Charlotte's irritation flared as she remembered Marcus, the man she now shared her life with. Every time she recalled his interactions with Flora, a surge of jealousy and anger rose. She would not be reminded again.
"Cheers to us, baby," Charlotte said, raising her glass as Marcus entered.
"Cheers, darling. What's the occasion?" Marcus asked, curiosity in his voice.
"Nothing," Charlotte replied smoothly. "I'm just happy life has been favoring us."
"Sure, life has been good. How's your company doing? Any expansion plans?" Marcus asked, pulling her onto his lap.
"Nothing major," she replied, pressing a brief kiss to his lips. "Chap Fashion World is already well-known across Macedonia."
He gave her a seductive look. "Although we aren't up to The Bear Group yet, we're getting there."
They laughed, and Marcus carried her into the room. Charlotte smirked, tugging at his shirt as desire and satisfaction mingled in the quiet of their shared space.
Stafford Chris, always a partial father, had been forced into choices by family pressures. He had never truly loved anyone except Doris, mother of Paris and Raymond. Longing for a semblance of family warmth, he called for a family dinner.
"You should come home today. I've arranged a family dinner. Your elder sister knows," he told Raymond over the phone.
Raymond stood near his office window, tobacco smoke curling around him. He had instructed his PA, Sky, to prevent interruptions. Solitude was necessary. If Frances were present, he might have felt differently, but she was not.
Chris asked Raymond about expanding ongoing projects, suggesting inviting companies from other countries. Everyone was present: May, his stepmother, and her son, all glancing at Raymond with subtle disdain. Paris met their gaze, guarding her younger brother's interest.
Raymond focused on his meal, ignoring them. Chris hid his frustration, understanding the cold, calculated nature of his son.
"Sigh. Meet me in the study when you're done here," Chris said, rising and leaving the table.
Inside the study, Raymond's chest felt tight under his father's presence.
"Why pretend to be a good father when you aren't? We don't need your love," he said sharply.
Chris flinched, stung by the words. "If you see me that way, how can I change that? I called you here about the company…"
Raymond cut him off. "I don't need you teaching me how to run the company. If you want involvement, take it." He sat, eyes locked on Chris.
Chris's anger flared. "Listen to me, son! I am still your father. How dare you speak to me like that?"
Raymond remained unmoved. "Start expanding the company internationally. Make it one of your goals," Chris said calmly before standing abruptly.
Raymond's gaze hardened. "Why do you always want me to have enemies?" he asked coldly.
Chris exhaled, knowing every word he said, every move he made, was to push Raymond toward strength and independence.
Paris, tired of the tension and meal, left in a fury, leaving May to hiss insults at Raymond, Paris, and their mother. "See the trashes your father had from his miserable first wife," May spat. Kelvin, however, smiled. He knew the family's wealth and influence would eventually be his.