Jade sat calmly in the president's chair, her expression unreadable as the board members men and women far older than her hurled veiled insults her way. At just 24 years old, she knew she had no choice but to prove herself through action, not words. These people wouldn't listen to her otherwise.
Discreetly glancing at the time, she noted that they had been at it for a while now, debating her capability with self-righteous indignation. She understood their true intent but refused to yield to their expectations.
One by one, the company's co-executives left the meeting room of their own accord, clearly frustrated by her unwavering silence. The moment the last one exited, an eerie stillness filled the air.
"What are you going to do?"
A deep voice broke the silence, startling her slightly. She turned towards the speaker her uncle, Reuben Thomas. Unlike the others, he hadn't left. His presence was no surprise. He had been fiercely loyal to her father, which meant whatever he had to say now wouldn't be in her favor.
Jade tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a faint, ironic smile. "What do you suggest I do, Uncle? You are my advisor, after all."
There was helplessness in the way she addressed him. This uncle would no longer be hers to call anymore in the future.
The Thomas family had placed him in this position to help her rebuild the struggling company, though she doubted he held any real intentions of assisting her. It wasn't bitterness that fueled her indifference, she had never truly considered this company her responsibility. She was merely the object of their condescending pity.
Reuben leaned back, observing her carefully. "You know," he began, "if you want this company to thrive, you need more than academic credentials. You need backing someone from the Thomas family. But that family no longer welcomes you."
His words weren't meant to taunt her, nor were they meant to help. He was merely stating a truth. And perhaps, in his own way, he was impressed by her composure. Jade had always been an enigma, surprising him time and time again.
She met his gaze, her voice steady. "I don't intend to rely on this borrowed surname. It wasn't meant to be mine to begin with." She paused, watching for any reaction, but as expected, his face remained impassive. "I can survive without it. I want to change it. Even though I don't know my birth family, any surname should do."
Reuben's gaze swept the room as he rose from his seat."your birth family?" He said as if it was a very amusing thing to say. "The board wants you to appoint one of them as vice president."
Jade said nothing.
"They'll control you," he continued. "You'll work like a mule, and in the end, they'll discard you." He let his words sink in before adding, "Besides, you didn't even study business. You majored in education. You know you're unqualified for this."
Jade's grip on the armrest tightened slightly.
"You have another option."
She looked up at him then, sensing what was coming. The sharp glint in his eyes confirmed her suspicion.
"You want me to sell the company to you."
A smirk tugged at Reuben's lips. "You're smart," he admitted. "But not smart enough. You know it's your only real choice."
A heavy sense of helplessness settled over her. Her shoulders, once held high in defiance, slumped slightly, betraying her shame. Reuben didn't linger to savor his victory. He turned and walked away, uninterested in defeated people.
They both knew the truth her so-called family had never intended to entrust her with the company. They only wanted to maintain an illusion of generosity. Once she left, the media would spin the narrative in their favor.
She let out a dry, bitter laugh. His kindness was nice while it lasted. If he had just been upfront from the start, they could have saved themselves this pointless conversation.
Before she could dwell on her next move, her phone rang. The name on the screen sent a wave of déjà vu crashing over her. A strange feeling twisted in her gut.
She hesitated. Something told her that ignoring this call would be a mistake she'd regret for the rest of her life.
Lifting the phone to her ear, she said nothing. The silence stretched on. Whoever was on the other end needed something from her. She wasn't about to give them the upper hand.
"Jade, sell the company to my son."
The voice was firm, audacious. A faint frown crept onto Jade's face. She disliked the commanding tone.
"You know we're your best bet," the caller continued. "The Thomas family has nothing left for you. They knew you couldn't manage that company. In the end, you'll hand it to them for nothing. I'll offer you twice what Reuben is willing to pay."
Jade remained silent for a moment, then exhaled.
"Sorry. I'm not interested in doing business with you."
The call ended with a sharp click. The number called again. And again. Annoyed, she blocked it.
Somewhere else, in a high-rise office, a man stood before a floor-length window, his grip tightening around his now blank phone screen. A dark, unreadable expression settled over his face.
"She's not willing to negotiate," he muttered.
Behind him, a man lounged lazily on a couch, unconcerned. "It doesn't matter who gets the company," he said dismissively. "We'll take it back from them."
The standing man didn't look reassured. "What if she hands it to Thomas?"
The lounging man finally sat up, pondering for a moment. "Then we evaluate her again. Either she's naïve, or she's hiding something."
—
Meanwhile, Jade exhaled deeply, her fingers brushing over her phone.
I should change my surname and start anew.
A wry smile ghosted her lips. I'm really going to miss the rich life. Time to embrace the life of a pauper. Hope the slums treat me well.
The lingering helplessness from earlier faded slightly. The battle ahead would be rough, but she had no intention of losing.
She grabbed her worn black bag, slung it over her shoulder, and walked out of the office. There was no hesitation in her stride. No lingering doubt.
At the last step, she paused, glancing back.
The company was struggling, yet none of the employees had looked at her with scorn. It wasn't much, but it was something to be grateful for.
With one last breath, she turned away and hailed a taxi.
Destination, The Thomas Mansion...