Arthur stopped the car right in front of Goldmine Realty's office lobby. He looked over his shoulder and asked, "Do you want me to accompany you, Madam?"
Winter clutched her, feeling nervous and scared. She didn't know what people would think of her. It had been a year since she last visited the office, and she wasn't sure if anyone would recognize her.
But she had to face it. Even if they didn't remember her, she had to reintroduce herself.
'Should I bring Arthur in?' Winter asked herself, glancing between Arthur and the glass door leading to the lobby. 'If I bring him, people will instantly know that I am an important woman since I have a bodyguard around me. But that also means it'll attract too much attention and might put Arthur in danger.'
'What if Camilla is in the office today? I still don't know how they managed to get rid of Arthur in my previous life, so it's better to play it safe and hide him for now…'
Thus, after considering her options, she said, "I can do it myself. You should park the car in the basement and wait there."
"… understood, Madam."
Winter walked into the office's lobby, dressed in black. She easily caught the eyes of everyone in the lobby, from the employees to other businessmen who had a meeting in the office that day.
She rubbed her hands together as a way to comfort herself.
She felt nervous because she hated being the center of attention.
Aiden had tried to bring her to a few business parties to meet new people, but she was so introverted that she felt extremely uncomfortable meeting with many new faces who definitely had no interest in her.
Thus, she often attended private parties with a few friends she had known for a long time. However, at this point in time, she lost contact with at least 80% of them.
'Maybe this is a bad idea…' Winter thought. But she quickly dispelled that thought before it got into her. 'No, if I retreat now, nothing will change for me. Sebastian and Camilla would still dominate the company I own, and I'd be cast aside.'
Summoning her courage once more, Winter walked to the receptionist, who had been eyeing her the whole time.
'A new receptionist. I remember this isn't the one that greeted me when I was with Aiden,' Winter noted mentally. 'I don't know if it's a coincidence, or Sebastian and Camilla have been erasing any trace of Aiden and me from the beginning…'
"I'm here to meet with Sebastian Saenz," Winter said as she stood before the receptionist's desk.
The receptionist scrutinized Winter, dressed in black from head to toe, before asking, "Do you have an appointment with the CEO, Ma'am?"
"No," Winter replied.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am. You can only meet Mr. Saenz when you have an appointment," the receptionist informed her. "I can make an appointment for you, Ma'am. May I know from which company you're from?"
"I'm not from any company."
The receptionist clicked her tongue but maintained her polite voice as she said, "Then, I can't make an appointment for you, Ma'am. But if you're a relative, I can call the secretary in the CEO's office to confirm."
Winter could've just said that she was Sebastian's wife. But she hated to say it because it made her feel disgusted and lowly.
Thus, Winter had a silent standoff with the receptionist until the latter asked rudely, "Please leave the office if you have nothing to do, Ma'am. There is a queue behind you."
Winter gritted her teeth. She tried to open her mouth and wanted to say that she was Sebastian's wife, but her voice stuck in her throat.
Seeing Winter didn't budge, the receptionist threatened, "If you don't leave now, I'll have to call the security guards to kick you out."
"Do you know Aiden Kirk?" Winter suddenly asked.
The receptionist frowned in confusion before reluctantly nodding. "He was the previous CEO. But he passed away a year ago. Why do you ask?"
"I am his wife," Winter stated. She had no hesitation this time and proudly admitted it because she was indeed Aiden's wife.
And she still thought so.
Because her marriage with Sebastian should've never happened.
"Wait, if you're Aiden Kirk's wife, does that mean you're Mr. Saenz's…" the receptionist paused for a moment before her eyes widened in shock as realization dawned upon her, and she quickly bowed in apology. "I am so sorry, Madam Saenz. I didn't know it was you. I'm new here!"
Winter got even more comfortable with the receptionist's attitude. She also noticed even more people staring at her back.
She fidgeted and said, "Give me access to Sebastian's office. I want to meet him."
"R—Right, this way, Madam!" The receptionist snatched the VIP access card and led Winter to enter the executive elevator, which was saved only for shareholders and the CEO.
Winter sighed in relief when she entered the elevator. Finally, she was out of everyone's prying eyes.
She glanced at the receptionist, who looked guilty, and asked, "Is he in his office right now?"
"Y—Yes, Madam Saenz. He just finished a meeting and is waiting for another one at two," the receptionist replied politely. She turned around, bowing once more, "I'm terribly sorry for my action, Madam. I didn't know that you were Madam Saenz."
"It's fine. But you have to remember my face from now on because I will come to the office more often," Winter reminded her.
The receptionist didn't know what was in Madam Saenz's mind. Why would she need to come to a boring office when she already has everything?
If she had that much money, she'd spend her time traveling around the world in luxurious jets and villas.
Unfortunately, she didn't have those and didn't understand the mindset of a rich woman.
"Understood, Madam Saenz!"
Winter was disturbed by how the receptionist kept addressing her as 'Madam Saenz.'
So when the elevator's door opened, she stepped out of the elevator and said, "Call me Madam Winter from now on. I'm not just Sebastian's wife. I'm not here to be his sweet little wife."
The receptionist was shocked by her declaration but didn't have time to respond before Winter turned around and strode towards the CEO's office.