The Unexpected Heir

The call

Chapter six

The general manager nodded in understanding, clearly impressed by Charlie's resolve. "I admire your ability to put aside personal feelings for the sake of business," he said, his tone respectful. "I know this can't be easy for you, but I think it shows real maturity and strength of character."

Charlie simply nodded in acknowledgement, but the tension in his jaw betrayed the lingering discomfort he felt. "There's more to this than just business, you know," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "It's not just about the money or the contracts. It's about everything else that's tied up in it"

"I understand that there's a lot of history and emotion tied up in this situation," the general manager said, his tone empathetic. "And while I can't speak to your personal experiences, I know that business and personal relationships can often be intertwined in complex ways. But at the end of the day, I believe that you're doing the right thing by putting the company first. It takes strength to make that kind of choice, and I respect you for it."

Charlie let out a long breath, releasing some of the weight that had been building up inside him. "I appreciate your perspective," he said calmly, his voice laced with understanding and level-headedness. "So just inform them that it won't benefit them like before anymore." 

"Alright, sir," replied the employee, her tone respectful and professional. With a sense of determination, he continued, "I'll relay your message to my team and make sure we go back to the table to negotiate the contract. Have a nice night, sir."

Alice was in her element, chatting with the businessmen and charming them with her easy smile and quick wit. She could feel their interest growing as she mentioned the new contract with Charles company, and she basked in the attention. They were all eager to do business with her, and she enjoyed the feeling of power it gave her.

"You're one lucky woman, Ms. Alice," one of the businessmen exclaimed, his voice tinged with both admiration and envy. Alice, gracefully flipping her hair back, allowed a small, satisfied smile to linger on her lips.

"We can't simply attribute it to luck," she responded with self-assurance, her voice carrying a hint of pride. Her eyes shimmered with determination as she continued, "It was the result of my dedication and hard work. Convincing my company to collaborate with C&C was no easy task, but I persevered and made it happen." Her smile widened, radiating a sense of accomplishment.

"You're truly hardworking," the man began, his voice laced with a hint of skepticism. "But hard work alone can't guarantee you a deal with a company like that. So, I still stand by my word you're lucky." He paused for a moment before continuing, his curiosity piqued. "I would love it if you could introduce me to the owner of the company. I've heard rumors that he's like a ghost, nobody seems to know who he really is."

The man's words gave Alice pause. She was used to hearing compliments about her hard work, but the mention of her connection with the owner of C&C took her by surprise. Indeed, it was true that the identity of the company's owner remained shrouded in secrecy. Like many others, Alice had always harbored a deep curiosity about who this mysterious figure might be. As she reflected on her journey, however, she couldn't help but feel a sense of astonishment. Just a few years ago, she had been a struggling college student, grappling to make ends meet. Yet now, through her unwavering diligence and tireless hard work, she had emerged as one of the wealthy women within society. The transformation she had undergone felt like a testament to her unyielding determination, making her believe that her success had been earned through her own efforts rather than being purely born from luck.

"Ms. Alice, you don't want to introduce me to him?" the man from earlier inquired, breaking through Alice's reverie and bringing her back to the present moment.

"Misterious is an understatement," Michael interjected with a polite smile directed towards Alice. "You don't have to go out of your way, Ms. Alice. We all know how enigmatic the owner of C&C can be."

"I know that's what you're gonna say," the man said to Michael, a hint of frustration in his voice. Michael had met Alice a year ago and had been instantly captivated by her beauty. However, his hopes were dashed when he discovered she was married. Now, with the news of her divorce, he couldn't help but feel a surge of optimism. He believed that it wouldn't be long before he could win her over, fueled by the fact that he came from one of the most prominent families in society.

"I'll find a way to talk to them about you, Mr. Martin's," Alice responded with a warm smile.

"Wow, I knew you're generous," he replied, his excitement evident. "I'll be looking forward to that."

As her phone rang out loudly, Alice quickly retrieved it from her bag, her anticipation peaking. Glancing at the caller ID, she saw that it was the manager from Charlie Company, the person she used to frequently converse with. Allowing a pleased smile to grace her lips, she swiftly switched to the answer button.

"Hello, manager," she greeted, her tone neutral yet polite.

"Hello, Ms. Alice. I hope you're doing well?" the manager asked, his tone carrying a hint of concern.

"Yes, sir. I was surprised to receive your call at this late hour. Is everything alright?" Alice inquired, attempting to maintain composure.

"I'm calling to inform you that the cooperation with your company has been temporarily paused," the manager delivered the news succinctly.

Her breath caught in her throat, and her mind raced as she tried to comprehend the implications of the manager's words. "Paused?" she repeated, her tone now carrying a note of panic. "May I ask what's the reason?"

"I don't have much information on that, Ms. Alice. I apologize for the inconvenience," the manager replied, his tone apologetic yet firm. "I just wanted to give you a heads-up so you wouldn't be caught off guard."

Alice's mind was reeling with questions and uncertainty.