Ella stood at the entrance of Lord Ainsworth's grand estate, her eyes tracing the towering structure. The stone walls were imposing, a clear testament to his wealth and power. She hesitated for a moment, a wave of unease washing over her. She couldn't help but feel a strange mix of curiosity and apprehension, knowing this meeting was far from casual. As she approached the large wooden door, the sound of her footsteps echoed in the quiet, and the weight of what was to come settled on her shoulders.
While waiting to be led inside, Ella found herself thinking back to the letter—its blunt language and the unmistakable tension between the lines. This wasn't an invitation, not in the social sense, at least. No, this was more of a command, a summoning. Ainsworth had made it clear: he wanted a meeting, and Ella knew that a man like him didn't ask for things lightly. The stakes of this encounter were high, higher than she initially realized, but she had to face him if she wanted to protect what she had worked so hard to build.
A servant appeared and quietly gestured for her to follow. As they made their way through the halls, her thoughts swirled. "What does he really want?" she wondered, her mind racing with possibilities. She had a feeling this was about more than just business competition—it was personal.
Ella was led into Lord Ainsworth's office, her eyes immediately catching the gleam of polished wood and gold accents that filled the room. The space was undeniably opulent, but it lacked warmth. It felt more like a display of power than a place to work. Her gaze shifted to Ainsworth himself—a middle-aged man with sharp, almost predatory features. His calculating eyes followed her every movement as she stepped inside, assessing her with the precision of someone who was used to being in control.
Behind the large mahogany desk, Ainsworth sat, a picture of composed authority. His tailored suit, the way he held himself—everything about him radiated wealth and power. The kind of power that didn't like to be questioned.
"Miss Foster," Ainsworth greeted her with a thin, practiced smile. "Thank you for coming." His voice was smooth, his tone polite, but there was an edge to it, a quiet warning that she wasn't here on equal footing. Ella could feel the weight of it, the unspoken message: he was the one with the upper hand, and he expected her to fall in line.
"Lord Ainsworth," she replied, her own tone measured, giving nothing away. She held his gaze, refusing to let his authority intimidate her, though the tension in the air was palpable.
Lord Ainsworth didn't waste any time. The moment Ella took her seat, his thin smile faded, replaced by the cool, business-like demeanor she had expected.
"Miss Foster, I'll be frank," he began, leaning forward slightly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Your inventions—they're... disruptive. To say the least." He paused for effect, letting the word hang in the air between them. "The success you've enjoyed is starting to interfere with my business."
Ella raised an eyebrow, curious but unsurprised. Still, she said nothing, waiting for him to reveal his cards.
"As a businessman and merchant," he continued, his voice smooth but firm, "I'm feeling the effects of your innovations. The market is shifting in ways that are not... favorable to my interests."
There it was. The real reason for this meeting.
He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers, as if he was presenting her with a generous offer. "So, I'm going to propose two options." His voice was almost casual, as if he were discussing the weather. "Option one: you sell your business to me. I will control the distribution and profits of your inventions. You'll be fairly compensated, of course, and you can walk away from any future complications."
Ella blinked, keeping her expression neutral, though the idea of selling everything she'd built sent a ripple of annoyance through her.
"Option two," he continued, his tone a bit more measured now, "you keep your business, but I take a percentage of your profits. A reasonable way to... compensate for the impact your success is having on my enterprises."
He paused again, as if waiting for her to be dazzled by the options laid out before her. Ella simply stared back at him, the weight of his words sinking in. These weren't offers; they were demands, thinly veiled behind business-like politeness.
Ainsworth's demands were, admittedly, reasonable from a business standpoint. Ella knew that. She could easily agree to the second option—after all, money wasn't the issue here. She had built a steady income stream, and even if she gave him a percentage, it wouldn't hurt her financially. But that wasn't what gnawed at her.
As she sat there, gazing at Lord Ainsworth's calculating eyes, it became less about the proposal itself and more about what it symbolized. Why should she bow to him, simply because he felt threatened by her success? It wasn't just about the money; it was about her independence, her integrity. Agreeing to either option felt like submitting to his authority, like letting him control a piece of her life and business just because things weren't going his way.
Ella's mind churned with thoughts, weighing the implications. She had worked hard to carve out her own space in this world, to build something that was hers. Could she really stand to give that up, even a part of it, just to placate a powerful man who wasn't getting what he wanted?
No. The more she thought about it, the clearer it became. She wasn't going to let Ainsworth force her into a corner, no matter how reasonable his terms seemed on the surface.
Ella leans back slightly in her chair, a small, knowing smile playing at her lips. Instead of agreeing to Lord Ainsworth's terms, she offers something entirely different—something she knows will appeal to his merchant instincts. "I have a third option for you," she says, her voice steady and calm. "Instead of taking a percentage or buying me out, I propose giving you a discount on any wholesale orders you make from my shop. You'll still profit, reselling my products as a merchant, but I'll maintain full control over my business."
The suggestion lingers in the air, and Ella watches Ainsworth's sharp gaze flicker with interest. She knows this will catch his attention. The man lives for profit, for deals that benefit him without much effort. By offering him a discount, she's giving him a chance to gain from her success—on her terms.
It's a subtle power play. Ella maintains control over her business while still allowing Ainsworth to feel like he's benefiting. It's a move that satisfies him without compromising her independence or principles. She feels a surge of confidence, knowing she's met him on his own turf and found a way to protect her growing empire.
She delivers the proposal with a quiet authority, meeting his eyes without flinching. Lord Ainsworth's expression tightens for a moment, then softens into a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Clever," he says slowly, as if weighing her offer. "Very clever."
Ella holds his gaze, unwavering. She may have just outplayed him, but she knows she can't afford to relax just yet.
Ainsworth blinks, momentarily taken aback by Ella's boldness. He's accustomed to people either yielding to his demands or crumbling under the weight of his influence. But Ella stands firm, her offer carefully calculated. Though it's not the complete control he initially wanted, he can't deny the profitability in her proposal. A discount on her goods means continued access to the innovations that have made her so successful, and it allows him to keep a foot in the door of a lucrative new market.
A tense silence hangs between them as Ainsworth studies her, his sharp eyes searching her face for any sign of weakness. Ella, however, remains composed, her steady gaze locked on his. After what feels like an eternity, he gives a slow, measured nod. "Very well," he says, his voice low and controlled. "We have an agreement." His smile is thin, almost grudging, but there's a glint of something else in his expression—respect.
Ella can feel the weight lift slightly from her shoulders. She's managed to not only stand her ground but negotiate a deal on her own terms. As she rises from her chair, Ainsworth's eyes follow her, still sharp and calculating. "You're smarter than most," he says as she turns to leave. "I'll be watching your progress with interest, Miss Foster."
"I'm sure you will," Ella replies smoothly, not missing a beat. She leaves his estate with her head held high, knowing she's not only avoided bowing to his will but also secured a powerful—if cautious—ally. The game has changed, and while she may have made a deal, she knows she'll need to tread carefully in the future.
As Ella steps out of Ainsworth's grand estate, a wave of pride washes over her. She had faced him head-on, refused to back down, and emerged with her business intact. Protecting what she's built isn't just about the money—it's about keeping her independence. The encounter left her with a sobering realization: her success had placed her on a collision course with powerful people. Ainsworth won't be the last, and if she's going to keep thriving, she'll need to be smarter, more strategic. She had stood her ground today, but what about tomorrow?
As the carriage carries her back to the shop, Ella reflects on the conversation. The weight of these new challenges presses on her, but instead of feeling overwhelmed, she starts to see the bigger picture. It's clear now—she can't navigate this world's complex power dynamics alone. If Ainsworth's thinly veiled threat taught her anything, it's that having allies might be the key to surviving and growing her empire.
Later that evening, Ella meets with Talia, Caleb, Isla, and Owen at her shop.
With the Ainsworth dilemma behind her, Ella feels a sense of relief. She looks at the four of them, realizing they're more than just acquaintances—they've become her allies. Strong ones, too. It's time to stop hesitating.
"I've been thinking," Ella says, meeting each of their gazes in turn. "About your business proposal." She pauses, feeling the weight of the moment. "And I'm in. I think we can do something transformative here, and I'm ready to commit."
A ripple of excitement runs through the group. Talia leans back, a satisfied smile on her lips. "I knew you'd come around."
Ella smiles, feeling a sense of calm and certainty she hadn't felt in weeks. "Let's make something big, something that changes the game. Together."
---
Thank you to all those who sent power stones. Nothing much happen in this chapter but i hope you like.