2024-12-26 05:11:54It was a regular afternoon in the Harper Corporation. Somehow, word had gotten out about Roxanne's mission to find new investors or be made to leave her current husband and marry the Larsen's heir, so it was the current hot topic of discussion in the office.
"Did you hear the news about Roxanne?" One lady called to another from her cubicle.
"Oh yes I did. Such juicy information." The second lady replied.
"I really do hope she divorces that her good for nothing husband. I was lucky to see Seth Larsen once, he's so tall and handsome." The first one said, clasping her hands in front of her chest with a dreamy look in her face.
"That means you want our company not to get investors?" the second one chided her.
"If she marries Seth Larsen, the Larsen's family business will partner with us, so what do we need investors for? Don't forget they're a second rate family." The first lady reminded the second one.
"Oh well, you're right. But that's enough Roxanne drama, she's still our boss and won't like to see us lolly gagging about like this." The second lady said and turned to face her computer.
"Yes, let's get back to work." The first one replied and also returned to her workstation.
Meredith Harper, Roxanne's sister was in the building and happened to overhear the conversation between the two employees. Wity a mean smile on her face, she took the elevator up to the floor where her sister's office was located.
Without even knocking, she let herself into the office, making Roxanne look up from the paperwork she was handing.
"Hello sister," she said, dropping into the chair opposite Roxanne and crossing her legs.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Meredith?" Roxanne asked, shutting down her computer. She knew that her sister hardly came with good intentions, and that she was most likely here to cause trouble.
"I heard a few of your staff talking," Meredith began.
"And? Staff talk all the time." Roxanne deadpanned.
"But they were talking about you." Meredith continued.
Roxanne just fixed her with a plain look. She was aware of all of Meredith's antics, and she knew her in and out.
"Anyway," Meredith began, uncrossing her legs, "I'm only here with good intentions. People are talking, Roxanne. Why are you still with that wastrel of a husband? Even willing to sacrifice our family company all for him? A freeloader like him isn't worth it! What value has he added to us?"
Roxanne felt anger begin to rise in her chest."I won't have you walk into my office, insult my husband and make a joke out of my marriage, Meredith."
"What do you mean make a joke? Asher Griffin being married to you is the biggest joke in this city and everybody knows it. Which is why you should marry Seth instead. Divorce that loser and ally yourself with the Larsens who are a better fit for us all." Meredith scoffed.
Roxanne got up from her chair so quickly that it startled Meredith. She balanced her palms on her desk, leaned down and looked straight into Meredith's eyes, then said,
"We may be family, but some things I will not tolerate, Meredith. How I run my life doesn't concern you in any way. If you like the Larsen family so much, then marry Seth yourself."
Meredith also stood up and glared at Roxanne.
"Fine, sister. But let's wait and see where being so arrogant and selfish will lead you. Let's hope you don't become a laughing stock in the end. Have a nice day." Meredith said before leaving the office and slamming the door shut after her.
After Meredith left, Roxanne dropped back into her chair and sighed heavily. Since she agreed to that deal with her father earlier, news had spread very fast. She had sent out a few proposals that morning, but she wasn't expecting any tangible results.
Her husband had told her not to worry, but she couldn't help but worry. How exactly did he plan on helping her? The Harper Corporation was struggling financially, so finding investors willing to partner with them was proving to be a big problem.
As she was deep in thoughts, her secretary, a young woman burst into her office suddenly.
"Ms. Harper! Ms. Harper! You'll never believe it!" The secretary squealed excitedly.
"What is it, Rose?' Roxanne inquired.
"A delegation just arrived, and they said they're from the Garrison group! And they want to speak with you, to discuss the terms of a new partnership!" Rose, the secretary announced in the same excited tone.
Roxanne couldn't believe her ears. The Garrison group? The Garrisons were a high level second rate family, even higher than the Larsens in the social ladder. If she could seal this partnership deal with them, it would save her marriage and bring even more benefits to the company than the Larsens could.
She tried to keep the excitement in her voice to a minimum and look professional, before nodding to her secretary, "Bring them in, Rose."
Rose left and returned shortly with a group of people, two men and one woman. She recognised the man in the lead immediately, Liam Garrison. He was the younger brother of the current family head, Andrew Garrison, and had a stellar reputation as a very astute businessman.
"Good day, Mr. Garrison," Roxanne greeted, extending her right hand for a handshake.
"Mrs Harper-Griffin, a good day to you too." He gripped her hand in his, shaking it firmly but gently.
Roxanne felt warmth spreading through her as she heard his manner of address. Not many people recognised her husband or married status, so the fact that he did pleased her greatly.
It was in that good mood that she asked, "And how may I be of service to you and your associates this afternoon Mr. Garrison? Please, sit." She pointed to the chairs opposite her as she took her seat too.
"No cause for worry, ma'am, we come in good faith. As your secretary may have told you, we come bearing a proposal for a partnership." Liam Garrison began to say.
Roxanne was stunned. Hearing it from her secretary was one thing, but having it confirmed by a top level member of the Garrison family was another thing entirely. She just sat in an excited silence and listened as he explained the finer points of the contract.
"So, Mrs. Griffin, as the Garrison group has plans on expanding into the insurance sector, partnering with a trusted firm such as yours will helo build our reputation with the customers, as well as boost your company. So as you can see, it's a win win for both our companies." Liam Garrison explained.
Roxanne nodded, showing her agreement.
"In that case, shall we make it official?" Liam gestured to the woman who accompanied him, and she handed him a contract encased in a black leather folio. "If you sign here, here, and here," he pointed to three places across the papers, "it will be finalised by both our lawyers, and the partnership will take full effect in the next 24 hours."
Roxanne watched as he slid the file across the desk to her. She read through the contract, not finding any loopholes and seeing that it was genuine. Taking a pen from her drawer, she signed the contract.
Liam Garrison smiled as she handed the contract back to him. "I look forward to working with you, Mrs. Griffin. You'll receive your copy of the contract from your lawyers. " He extended his hand for a handshake with Roxanne.
"Thank you, and the feeling is mutual, Mr. Garrison. The Harper Corporation won't let you down." Roxanne shook the offered hand.
"Alright then. We'll remain in touch. Good day, Mrs. Griffin." Liam Garrison said, then stood up and left the office, followed by his associates.
As they left, Roxanne slumped down in her seat. She was in a state of shock. One moment, she was worrying about how to solve her problems, the next moment a solution came swooping in. Just like her husb and had assured her.
That led her to begin to wonder, just who exactly had she married?
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Asher was back in his room at the hotel when he received a phone call from Andrew Garrison. He picked and placed the phone against his ear. "Hello, Andrew. I assume the first thing has been done?" "Yes, Mr. G, done exactly according to your instructions. I even sent my brother as a show of good faith." Andrew's voice came over the phone. "Good. I know that some of your staff may have their reservations, but trust me. I'll send you three hundred million dollars right now as an initial investment." Asher said. "Sir, wow. Thank you sir." Andrew breathed in gratitude. "It's nothing, Andrew. This is just the beginning of what you stand to gain by allying yourself with me." "I understand, sir. I await further instructions.""I'll get back to you when I need you." Asher said. "Yes sir." Andrew said and hung up. Almost immediately, Asher received another call, but this time from Roxanne. "Hello, my dear," he purred into the phone as he picked up. "Asher, you would never believe it!"
Asher's Legacy. Chapter Ten.
On seeing what he did, Odette flew into a frenzy. "Now look what you've done, you useless good for nothing. Stop hindering our chances at a better life! Maybe of we just cut you off this family you'll learn your lesson."Roland stood behind his wife in support. "She's right, Asher, you're just a leech feeding off this family's resources. But no more. As from today, the Harpers disown you as a member of the family. You no longer have any ties to us, social or otherwise. And once we find a way to separate you from Roxanne, it will be permanent."Asher felt nothing as he heard his father in law's words. It changed nothing, they had never treated him like a part of the family anyway. All they did was humiliate and insult him. Roxanne, however, was torn apart. She moved to beg her family but Asher gripped her hand, giving her a small, subtle shake of the head as a signal not to act. She nodded her head, learning to trust her husband in such situations. A member of the wait staff came and
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Asher named his child Tanai. But Roxanne seemed quite confused with the name and wondering what could prompt Asher into naming their child with such a name, when she barely know the meaning to it.And right there, Asher reminded her of the incident that occurred, that led to the lost of the past pregnancy."The name is beautiful Asher" she said. After Asher had explained the meaning to the name. "And it brings back a lot of memory. I just can not believe how far we have come and after all this, we still here by each other"Every other person had gone out of the room, while Asher and his wife were left to themselves, so they could catch up for the time they were apart.But hearing the name almost complicated how Roxanne was feeling at that time cause she was suddenly drifted back to all the crazy past. Liam and everything she fought so hard to leave in the past."First, this name is a good reminder that we drew strength from each other, despite everything, we are still standing tall"A
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Asher could not believe it a bit. He had run off immediately to see Roxanne the moment Roland repeated it for the second time. While standing at the door entrance. Asher stood for a moment to calculate the month his wife’s pregnancy was before he left home. While looking at Roxanne and the heart melting creature right beside her on his baby cot. His heart was panting heavily, but he was still not able to get the actual month.Asher gradually took his step closer to bed where Roxanne and his new baby was. Tian could not contain his happiness as he kept waving at Asher to move faster and carry his baby."I told you Asher but you said I was hallucinating right? Come on hurry, cause mother and child are waiting patiently for your warmth arms"As Asher was just about to carry his baby from the cot, he noticed a rare figure from of Meredith. Why was she like that? Is she sick or something? He thought and then tried to ignore his sights but it was difficult for him even though he tried n
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Asher could not wait, as he drove into Roland’s premises. He was going to hurry out of the car forgetting he was yet to get the belt off.He realised himself when he felt pinned down, while trying to come down from the car, unknown to him that Tian actually got his smiling face fixed on him."Just wondering why you think you can be faster than your shadows, Asher"He said then slowly held the car handle and opened it.Tian seemed already conversant with the environment, just in one visit, as he continued walking straight to the entrance door."You’re so fast old man! You should wait for me you know!" He shouted from the top of his voice but Tian seemed more interested and focussed on the door where his whole attention was directed towards.Asher had no choice but to hurry to him. They were at the door waiting for someone to answer the doorbell, when Tian said."Why do I smell a new baby all over me?"Asher turned and looked at him. He wanted to ignore him but no, Tian wasn’t someone
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Weeks had suddenly gone into months and this time, Asher knew it was definitely time to go home to his darling wife.Asher was satisfied, knowing he was going to leave Tian happy and won’t have to worry about anything while he’s away from him.Asher had prepared and was set to leave. He went in to Tian’s room to inform him, he was ready but there he got the shock of his life.Tian was actually getting his bag packed. To Asher, it was something he had never witnessed. That very bag was the same bag Tian had promised Asher he was going to pack Asher’s clothes when he’s finally decided on when to go home to his father’s world.But he hadn’t told Tian that he was going back home? It was a prior information that he was going back to Roxanne. So what could Tian possibly be doing with the same bag?He thought then started walking closer to where Tian was busy with his preparation."You seem busy, old man"He said, and that was him trying to bring Tian's attention towards him. And reluctantly
Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Nine.
Roxanne took every instruction from the voice record, Ryder had shown to her.Just when Roland had given up, when he had thought it was his worst birthday ever. Roxanne walked in on him inside his bedroom.Roxanne needed no one to tell her what her father had battled with, in her absent. She walked closer to the bed and stood just beside him, but Roland could not notice her presence.He was obviously lost in thought. But when Roxanne stood and noticed no movement from him, she sat right on the bed and just then Roland got startled and quickly snapped out."Why did you do that Roxanne?" He asked, his tone quavering. While Roxanne held her breath a bit, trying to hold her laughter from the look on her father’s face."You will be fine Dad, just get up" she said, offering Roland a hand to stand up with.But no, he shoved her off and turned his face to the other side of the bed instead."Fine. I get it Dad, but I promise you, this would be the last time you will ever have this look on your
Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Eight.
"Please don’t forget Ryder. Remember I have stayed more than I planned and i need to do this now cause I believe it actually the only thing that would make her happier even in my absent"Asher had told Ryder to help him speak to Roxanne and tell her where he had the document to the Harper’s company which was bought by him, was kept.He needed Roxanne to take the files and hand it back to her father as his birthday gift from him. He would have loved to do it by himself, but because he was far, Roxanne could as well represent him real good."I will okay, but you still need to come home to Roxanne man, she should miss you a whole lot by now and you know that"It was already a fix Asher felt he was into, but he knew it would definitely end on a good note. Considering the love and trust Roxanne had for him, he believes she would understand whenever he brings himself to explain his reasons."Alright buddy, I got to go now. It’s definitely going to be a long ride and you know that" Ryder sa
Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Seven.
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Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Six.
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Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Five.
Seth who had begged Amelia for a second chance to make amends. But because Amelia would not want to go against her father’s order since Seth had decided not to let her in, to the business he was doing with the money he had constantly pleaded with her to get from her father.The divorce papers was served but Seth found it really difficult letting Amelia go, because he knew just how much it took him to win Amelia’s heart. And he might not be all that lucky out there, getting someone whose father would be as wealthy as Amelia’s father was.And to think he literally lavished every money given to him into partying and most times ladies, cause he believed he will always have it whenever he wanted it.Seth for the first time in his life, felt helpless. He knew if he ends up signing on that paper, his life would be as good as ruined.Because. Seth suddenly lost the interst of investing in anything, he believed his marriage with Amelia would continue on that note, considering her being the onl
