Ethan Smith: The Lost Heir

Chapter 10

Ava had sketched a few designs but none looked worthy of a contract. She drew the last one and laid down on the couch with her laptop beside her.

She fell asleep, she didn't hear when Ethan walked in. From the dining table to the living room, papers were everywhere.

Ethan smiled at the sight without waking her, he picked up the papers and sat close to her. He picked a few good ones. He was amazed at how she could still make beautiful designs.

He studied business management and has an idea of fashion designs. This was why Ava's grandfather had ensured they got married. He believed if they worked together Sterling Fashion would go global.

Looking at the designs he knew, Glam Fashion, a subsidiary of Emerald Group, would go global with a change in designs and he would make sure she gets to work with them.

He looked at the designs thoroughly, he took the laptop beside her. He was about to check out her contract proposal when Ava opened her eyes.

“Hi, when did you get back?” She asked half-awake.

“I got back a few minutes ago. Babe, these designs are really good. You've not lost your touch. creativity is still top-notch”.

Ava sat up and stared at him, “do you think it's okay to present such to Emerald Group?”

Ethan nodded, “ yes, five of it is enough. Once you get the deal, you can add others. But you have to redraw it”.

He looked at the proposal, he nodded in satisfaction as he made few changes to it. He scanned through it again and smiled, it was good to ace a deal.

***

The next morning, Ava brought the file filled with the designs and proposals she had prepared, and went to the headquarters of Emerald Group.

Ava suddenly felt cold chills down her spine, as she stood in front of the building

housing the headquarters of the largest conglomerate in the City. Emerald Group consists of a tech company, a hospital, an airport, hotels, fashion and modelling company, construction, oil and gas and the largest research institute.

Will they collaborate with a mere family like hers? She remembered the contract quotation and laughed, this whole thing was a big mistake.

How will she make up for this mess? With the file in her hands, she let out a sigh of relief. She had accepted the challenge and promised to take the fall for whatever the outcome would be.

She was about to go in, when her phone rang. She looked at the caller's ID before taking the phone close to her ears.

“Darling, I know you are very tense right now. Don't worry, go ahead. You'll make it. Trust me”.

Ava took a deep breath and said, “ alright, I trust you and I believe in myself”.

Ethan smiled,” Go in and ace the deal”. He hung up.

***

Meanwhile outside the premises, Ethan dialled Mabel's number. He waited patiently for her to pick up. When she finally did, he cleared his throat “ Miss Josh, someone from Steve's family is in the office premises. Her name is Ava Steve. You know what to do”.

“Yes Mr Ethan, don't worry I'll do as you wish. But sir, a lady from Steve's family is already here to see me, her name is Susie Steve”.

“ Send her out, do not attend to her” he smiled and continued, “Miss Josh, give Susie an audience but she should do a presentation in front of the executives. Give her a tough time during the presentation”. He hung up, he knew Kate would want to do something funny.

***

Ava took another deep breath, smiled and walked through the entrance door. She walked to the receptionist and greeted, “Good morning, please I'm here to see the Vice Chairman”.

“Do you have an appointment?” The receptionist asked with a smile on her face.

“I.. I don't really…” Ava stuttered.

“Are you Miss Steve?” The receptionist asked politely.

“Yes, I am,” Ava replied with shock on her face. How did she know her name? What's going on? Is this a sign that she would really get to meet the vice chairman?

“ Please, sit down. The vice chairman's secretary will be here shortly”.

Ava was shocked, she was really going to see the vice chairman. She didn't book any appointment with the vice chairman.

Out of curiosity, she asked “ are you sure it's me the vice chairman wants to see?”.

“Yes ma, the system shows you booked an appointment with her yesterday”. The receptionist replied nicely.

Booked an appointment with Mabel Josh? When? How? Could it be Duke's doings? Was he serious when he told her mother he would help them?

“Ava?” Someone called her. She turned to see Susie walking towards her. Ava's eyes narrowed slightly, she could see Susie wasn't happy to see her there.

“What are you doing here?” Ava asked.

Susie looked at her, and then at the other occupants of the reception hall. She scoffed that this was the perfect opportunity to put Ava in her place once and for all, and she wasn't about to waste it.

Huffling, Susie lifted her left hand to her chest and gave Ava a horrified look. Then in a loud voice she exclaimed, “ oh my God, how could you?”

Ava frowned at her sister's horrified tone, and her mind instantly went to work, trying to determine what if she had done anything wrong. She looked around her in an unsure glance, and then she turned back to Susie, “ what have I done? What are you talking about?”.

‘How could you be so greedy and shameless?” she cried out, her voice getting louder. She was aware of the attention she was drawing while Ava stood in shock.

Ava looked thoroughly confused, and the frown on her face deepened “excuse me?”

What was her reason for doing this? Is mother aware of this? Ava was nervous, she looked at Susie and asked, “can we talk outside?”

Susie shook her head, “why? Are you ashamed that these people will know the kind of greedy bitch that you are?”

Suddenly, Ethan walked in. Ava was surprised, she left him at home a few minutes ago.Did he come to support her? Or is he here to check if she actually went inside the premises?

The moment Susie saw him, she smiled. She would put both of them in their places.

“Speak of the devil, her useless husband is here”. She said pointing at Ethan.

Ethan moved closer to Ava, he squeezed a hand on her shoulder and leaned close to her ear, “ what is happening here?”

“I have no idea,” Ava muttered. She tried to be calm and not show Ethan that she was panicking. Raising her head, she asked Susie,” what exactly are you accusing me of?”

She didn't think Susie would come to get the deal as well.

“Who would have known that after abandoning our family company in a financial crisis, you'd still be here seeking a deal with Emerald Group? Have you no shame, your family's business has gone bankrupt?”. Susie spat.

“ And the foolish man beside you is supporting this greed of yours, are you not ashamed of yourself?” , Susie said looking at Ethan “when you were nothing, my family picked you and gave you an opportunity to be somebody. Is this how you choose to repay us?”