Chương 38: [Setting a foot in business world]

[Hey guys! I hope y'all are doing well. I really apologise for the delay I was stuck up with something very important, to make up for the delay I will try posting two chapters per day. Thankyou for your patience, and I request you to comment your thoughts and feedback and support me. Your support and encouragement means a lot! Stay happy ! Stay safe. Take care and enjoying]

A big shoutout to all my lovely readers,

especially my loyal and supportive readers🫰✨ [Mich34, Celia and picaso] thanks a lot you guys, you have been a great encouragement.

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The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the grand dining hall. Maria, dressed in a modest apron, worked diligently in the kitchen. The clinking of pots and the occasional soft hiss of simmering soup filled the air. Her usually confident demeanor was replaced with an unusual nervousness as she carefully arranged a breakfast tray.

She carried it out, placing the tray delicately on the long dining table where Claire sat with Madame Lana.

"I prepared this for you," Maria said, her voice soft, almost hesitant. "It's an apology. I hope you can accept it."

Madame Lana's sharp gaze shifted from Maria to the tray. Her lips curled in disdain. "Who knows," she said coolly, "you might have poisoned this meal." Her voice carried an icy edge, and her piercing stare seemed to strip Maria of her carefully crafted facade.

Maria's face fell instantly, her forced smile faltering. She looked at Claire with a mixture of sadness and desperation. "I would never do something like that," she whispered, biting her lip nervously.

Claire averted her eyes, uncomfortable with the tension. Reaching for the untouched salad bowl in front of her, she began eating silently, avoiding the apology tray altogether.

Maria's chest tightened as she saw her dish set aside, ignored like her words. The weight of rejection gnawed at her. In a sudden, almost impulsive movement, she stood, grabbed a bowl, and poured the soup she had made into it.

Her hands trembled as she carried the bowl to her lips. Looking straight at Claire and Madame Lana, she downed the entire bowl in one go. "See! I'm alive," she said, her voice shaking with suppressed frustration. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "This is proof of my sincerity."

Madame Lana arched a brow, unimpressed. "Just because you eat your own food doesn't prove your innocence," she said coldly. Claire exchanged an uneasy glance with Madame Lana but remained silent, her heart heavy with mistrust.

After an awkward breakfast, Claire's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and saw Cain's name.

"Claire," his deep voice resonated through the line. "I'm sending Mark to pick you up. We have something important to do. Get ready."

Claire frowned, her curiosity piqued. "Something important?" she asked, her mind racing. Cain's tone sounded serious, but the last time he had asked her to get ready, it had been for their sudden engagement. Her cheeks flushed as the memory resurfaced.

"Don't tell me," she blurted, her voice laced with suspicion, "you've planned a sudden wedding?"

Cain chuckled on the other end. "Oh? You're that eager?" he teased, his tone playful. "If you're so impatient, we can make it happen today."

Claire went silent, mortified by her own words.

Cain's laugh softened. "We're going to get what's yours. Be ready." With that, he hung up, leaving Claire standing in confusion.

Her mind raced as she got ready. She couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that lingered as Mark's car pulled up in front of her home.

When they arrived, the car stopped outside a towering building that Claire recognized immediately: the headquarters of the Millers Group—her father's company.

Her heart sank. Memories of betrayal and loss surged through her. She stepped out hesitantly, her heels clicking against the polished marble as she entered the building.

Inside, Cain sat in a spacious office, his demeanor serious. He glanced up as Claire entered, his expression softening for a moment before returning to its stern focus.

"Cain, why are we here?" she asked, her voice a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Sit," he said, gesturing to the chair beside him. As she complied, he handed her a file.

Claire's hands trembled slightly as she flipped through the pages. Her eyes widened with each word she read. By the time she finished, her face was pale, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Cain," she whispered, disbelief lacing her voice. "How is this even possible?"

Cain leaned back in his chair, his gaze dark. "You uncovered the illegal organ racket at Medwin Hospital," he began, his voice low. "And yet, here in your father's company, your uncle has been using your shares—and your name—to conduct even shadier deals."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "He's even sold some of your shares to shadow buyers. Claire, how can you be so naïve?" He leaned forward, tapping her forehead lightly with his finger.

Claire scowled, swatting his hand away. "If I were that clever," she shot back, her voice tinged with sarcasm, "I wouldn't have fallen for you."

Cain's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "Touché."

"Listen," he said, his tone softening. "I can help you take back your shares and run this company. You deserve to have your footing here."

Claire shook her head, her resolve firm. "No, Cain. I'll do it on my own. I will take back what's mine, I don't need your help."

Cain's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Including me?" he teased, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "I know I'm already yours, but if you insist on taking back what's yours, I won't mind."

Claire's jaw dropped, her face flushed due to their closeness and his tease, 'How can someone be so narcissist' She thought looking at him with surprise.

As Cain leaned in towards her lips, Claire pushed aside. Adjusting her hair she said, "Mr Wilson-- this isn't your home, please behave."

"Oh? You mean, If it were our home you wouldn't have pushed me?" He blinked at her.

Claire was too stunned to speak at his childishness. She cleared her throat and continued. "I will get justice for myself and also I'll take back my shares. You don't have you worry." She took the file from the table.

"Claire we are about to get married and you still carry this distant behaviour and--' his words were cut off

"Did you hear what Maria said yesterday? She said, Claire I just framed you. I wasn't the one to put you behind the bars. Maybe if Cain had investigated or trusted enough he wouldn't have done that--" Claire's voice was hoarse, she but her lip to control the tear slipping down her eyes.

"Even though she is a scheming person her words were true. I don't have any complaint against her-- it's you i loved not her--" her expression was hurtful.

Cain looked at her, his face showing regret and guilt. He slowly moved to her, holding her shoulders he gently wiped her tears.

"Claire, I am sorry. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, But as I previously said-- at that time you were just a girl I was attracted to. Trust me if I had a slightest idea of how much I loved you i wouldn't have done that."

"It's not only about love Cain-- she paused, her eyes met his. "It's about being just and fair, even if I were just a passerby you should have still looked into the matter to decide fairly-- not just side one person blindly." She looked away from him.

Cain looked at her in amusement-- her words hit him hard' she was right even if he didn't love her, he should have still investigated the matter to uphold justice no matter who it was-- His hands left her shoulders as he realised how stupid and cruel he was towards others.

Rubbing his temples he pressed his lips, he nodded his head as though understanding something he failed back then.

Her words hit Cain like a blow. He ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tightening "It's all my fault Claire-- it's not Maria- it's me. I have become and animal-- the business world and the mafia world's routine have wrapped me under its shadow, now I don't even realise I am doing wrong. All matters to me is, I have authority and I can do anything."

Claire's gaze softened as she saw the vulnerability in his eyes. She stepped closer, hesitating before placing a hand on his arm. Cain-- I--." She stuttered failing to find words to comfort him.

"It's okay Claire- you don't have to. I never knew my work would have such a huge impact on my personality and my personal life. I am true as people describe 'A heartless monster', As a human I failed Claire-- I failed." He sighed, brushing his thumb against his nose he turned to her.

"You're not a monster, Cain," she said gently. "You've made mistakes, yes, but you're trying to make amends. That's what matters."

Cain looked at her, his expression a mixture of regret and gratitude. "I don't deserve you, Claire," he murmured.

"Maybe not," she said with a small smile. "But you're stuck with me anyway."

Their moment was interrupted by a knock at the door. Cain straightened, his usual confident demeanor returning.

"Let's get to work," he said, handing her another file.

As they left the office, Claire couldn't help but glance at him, her heart conflicted. She knew there was still a long way to go, but for the first time, she felt a glimmer of hope.

Back at the mansion, Maria watched Madame Lana from a distance. The older woman was busy preparing a guest list for Cain and Claire's wedding, her pen moving swiftly across the paper.

Maria approached cautiously, her steps slow and deliberate. "Madame Lana," she began, her voice soft. "Can you help me get on good terms with Claire? I truly regret everything I've done."

Madame Lana looked up, her eyes narrowing. "Maria," she said sharply, "I'd sooner trust a devil than trust you. I know you're up to no good."

Maria's expression darkened, but she quickly masked it with a forced smile. "But, Lola I--"

"Shut up Maria, Your manipulations and acting all cute won't work on me." Madame Lana got back to her work.

Maria sat quietly, but her clenched fists shouted her anger and disgust towards Madame Lana's words. She slowly walked to the balcony. Dialling a number on her phone she changed her expression from anger to pity.

"Dad! I need your help." She pouted.

"What is it dear?" Mr Vincent said from the other side.

"Dad-- Maira paused, "Dad, I want to organise Cain and Claire's wedding. But they both seem to dislike me. Is it because I was in the news and in mental rehabilitation?" Her voice softened, "Dad I am not a bad person and you know that." She sniffed.

"Maria, Don't you worry I will speak with Cain. Now go and rest well, Dad needs to work." With that Mr Vincent disconnected the call.

Maria held on to her phone with a victorious smile.

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