“Emily, are you free?” Tina asked, her voice strained with frustration.
Emily smiled brightly. “Yeah, I’m free! Tina, it’s been ages since we hung out. Want to grab a bite?”
At the restaurant, Emily bit her lip, utterly stunned. “Are you saying your dad actually agreed to Whitney’s demands and kicked you guys out of the house?”
“Can you believe it? Emily, seriously, what did she do to my dad to make him treat us like this?” Tina vented, her anger palpable.
Emily fell silent, deep in thought.
She knew Samuel well enough. He was a sophisticated, self-serving individual, always prioritizing his own interests, and a shrewd businessman to boot.
As both a father and a businessman, he wasn’t one to spoil his daughters simply because of familial ties. There was always a hidden agenda.
After Whitney called off her wedding to Carter, Samuel likely viewed her as nothing more than a pawn.
Yet, if he was suddenly treating her as if she mattered, there had to be a reason. She must have something new to offer him.
“Tina, is Whitney seeing someone new these days?” Emily asked, her voice dripping with curiosity.
“Or did she just snag herself a rich boyfriend?” Emily teased, her expression knowing.
Tina scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Seriously? Like she could. Carter dumped her. Who would want to take on all that baggage now?” she sneered, her disdain evident.
Emily’s expression shifted, a hint of disbelief crossing her features.
She was convinced Carter would return to Whitney.
Carter had eyes only for her.
But Emily was more than happy to join in on the gossip. She let out a mocking laugh. “Honestly, there are plenty of wealthy older men out there who would love a girl like her.”
Suddenly, a realization struck Tina.
‘No wonder Dad’s suddenly on her side. She must have found herself a sugar daddy,’ she thought, her eyes narrowing as the pieces fell into place.
“Tina, don’t panic. I heard Whitney’s law firm just landed a significant investment and M&A project from headquarters. I happen to be quite close with the woman heading that deal. How about we all grab dinner together soon, and you can meet her?” Emily suggested gently.
Tina’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Yes! Emily, you’re the best. Can you set it up for tomorrow? Dinner’s on me.”
‘Whitney thinks she’s so high and mighty? Just wait. I’m going to sabotage her work big time,’ Tina thought, a surge of satisfaction coursing through her.
After wrapping up her workday, Whitney found herself wandering through the home section of the mall, her mind swirling with thoughts about the curtains in Klein’s villa. She envisioned a fresh, airy look that would brighten up the space. The idea of swapping out the heavy drapes for something sheer and light filled her with excitement.
Meanwhile, Klein was on his way to a business dinner, his thoughts occupied with the meeting ahead. Just as he settled into the rhythm of the drive, a notification pinged on his phone. It was a message from Whitney.
Whitney: [What do you think of this sheer curtain with a creamy beige color?]
Klein’s villa was adorned in dark, moody hues-deep grays and stark blacks that created a somber atmosphere. He doubted that a vibrant, light color would mesh well with such a heavy color palette.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he typed back, eager to encourage her creative instincts.
Klein: [Looks great. When it comes to decorating the house, I trust the lady of the house to handle everything.]
A warm blush crept onto Whitney’s fair cheeks, a delightful flutter of pride blooming within her. She felt a sense of validation, knowing Klein appreciated her taste.
Whitney: [Alright, I’ll take care of it then.]
With that, she turned her attention to the bedroom, where she set about purchasing an array of items-curtains, rugs, sofa covers, placemats, and fresh sheets. The thought of transforming the space invigorated her, and she quickly arranged for the installers to come by the next day.
Whitney: [The installers will be coming over tomorrow. Here’s their number. If you get a chance, could you let the housekeeper know?]
Klein responded almost instantly, his efficiency reassuring.
Klein: [Feel free to reach out to my butler directly. Anything you need, big or small, just let him take care of it from now on.]
Whitney couldn’t help but wink at her phone, a playful smile dancing on her lips.
She shot back a quick “Okay” and left it at that, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
*****
The following day, with Frank preoccupied, Whitney ventured to NextSphere Electronics alone. The last review had revealed a tangled web of legal troubles surrounding the company-an unresolved lawsuit that hung over them like a dark cloud. They were still on the hook for six million dollars owed to a supplier for goods that had not met expectations.
The initial trial had wrapped up, but the verdict remained elusive, a ticking clock of uncertainty.
NextSphere Electronics had argued that the delivered goods did not align with their order, prompting their refusal to pay. The supplier, however, maintained that they had fulfilled the order precisely as requested. With neither party willing to budge, the matter was dragged into the courtroom.
If Harris Group were to acquire NextSphere Electronics, they would inherit both the assets and the debts. This meant that if the court ruled against NextSphere, the financial burden would fall squarely on Harris Group’s shoulders.
With such significant legal stakes at play, Whitney knew she had to gauge the likelihood of NextSphere winning the lawsuit. Ideally, she wanted to wait for the verdict before deciding if the acquisition was a sound move.
This time, she would be working closely with Paige Turner, the manager overseeing the ongoing lawsuit.
“Ms. Turner, Ms. Moore from PrimeBridge is waiting for you in the lounge,” the assistant informed, her tone brisk.
Paige didn’t even bother to look up from her papers. “Let her wait.”
Whitney had been sitting there since nine, and by ten, her patience wore thin. She approached the assistant’s desk, her tone polite but firm. “Excuse me, is Ms. Turner still tied up in her meeting?”
The assistant offered a sympathetic smile. “Yes, but I’ll let you know as soon as she’s done.”
Whitney frowned, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “But we already scheduled this meeting.”
The assistant chuckled lightly, “Well, Ms. Moore, you know how it is. Ms. Turner’s schedule is packed.”
Resigned, Whitney returned to her seat, forcing herself to remain calm. She decided to give it another thirty minutes. If she still received no word, she would take her leave.
Ultimately, it was up to NextSphere Electronics to articulate the risks that had been uncovered. If they were unwilling to collaborate, she would ensure that Harris Group received the unvarnished truth, no embellishments.
Exactly thirty minutes later, Paige finally sauntered in, her presence commanding attention.
Whitney regarded the elegant woman with a polite nod. “Ms. Turner, hello. I’m Whitney Moore, the attorney in charge of Harris Group’s acquisition.”
“Ms. Moore, hello. God, I’ve been swamped all morning,” Paige replied, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
Whitney, determined not to dwell on the delay, dove right into the matter at hand. “Ms. Turner, could you let me know when the verdict for this pending lawsuit is expected, and what odds your legal counsel is giving you for a win?”
Paige let out a laugh, a hint of sarcasm lacing her words. “Oh, Ms. Moore, aren’t you lawyers supposed to be the ones who never spill a word? How would we know if we’re gonna win or lose? But honestly, we’re pretty confident this case is in the bag for us.”
Whitney remained resolute. “Ms. Turner, it’s been two months since the first trial ended. Has the judge given you any indication about when the verdict might come out?”
Paige waved her hand dismissively. “Come on, Ms. Moore, you know we can’t just pester the judge for answers.”
In the legal world, sometimes a lawyer with the right connections could glimpse a verdict before it was made public. But it was clear that Paige wasn’t about to reveal any inside information.
Paige smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Ms. Moore, it’s not that I’m hiding anything. But I checked the legal team list Harris Group sent over in our team chat today, and your name wasn’t on it.”
Whitney’s brow furrowed in disbelief. “That’s impossible.”
Quickly, she checked her phone, searching for any notification of her removal from the group. Nothing. Ivan hadn’t mentioned anything either. ‘What on earth is going on?’ she thought, her mind racing.
Paige said lightly, “Well, I’m not sure what’s happening with your firm’s staffing. Maybe you should check with your coworkers?”
Taking a deep breath, Whitney managed a polite smile, though her frustration simmered just beneath the surface. “Alright. Thank you for your time.”
Once she settled into her car, Whitney dialed Ivan, her heart pounding with urgency.
But Ivan didn’t answer.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.