FIVE YEARS LATER
VIOLET
I stepped out of my car, my black boot clicking on the ground. The dark shades I wore shielded my eyes from the morning sun's glare. The guards in front of me bowed respectfully, knowing fully well who I was. Sophia Crane! A name that rings bells in everyone's ears, a name I've built for five years. A name that depicts success.
"Good morning, Ms. Crane," Claire, my secretary, said as she collected my bag from me, giving a light bow.
A satisfied smirk formed on my lips as I heard the whispers of those who had spotted me. Just my name put things in order.
"What's my schedule for today, Claire?" The weekend had been a busy one, and Monday should be no exception.
"We have a busy day ahead. Your 10 a.m. meeting with Mr. Lance has been pushed back to 11, but the 2 p.m. meeting with the board remains as scheduled."
"Excellent," I replied, slipping off my sunglasses. "Let's make sure we're ready for both. What about the investors?"
"They'll be here at 4," Claire said, handing me a file.
"Have you prepared the presentation?" I asked, my tone all business.
Claire nodded. "Yes, Ms. Violet. It's all here," she said, tapping the file. "I've also updated the quarterly earnings report. Our profits are up 20% since last year."
I couldn't help but let a slight smile play on my lips. "Impressive. My investors will be very pleased." I opened the door to my office, and for a moment, my heart caught in my throat.
"Xavier?" I gasped, wondering when he would stop surprising me.
That day at Redmoon Pack, Xavier had rescued me at the last minute. Together with my grandmother, we had eloped to the human world, where I discovered that Xavier was not just a secretary and the poor guy he pretended to be, but rather a multi-billionaire hiding under a facade. For years, the CEO of Hunter Corporation had been unknown, and Xavier asked me a favor: to act as the CEO for a while.
And there I was, with my lovely son, my grandmother, and Xavier, living just fine in the human world.
"Yes, Ms. CEO," Xavier said, his tone playful but professional. "The deal with TSMS has been finalized, and we're now at the top. Congratulations, Violet—or should I say, Sophia?"
He caught himself, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. Xavier was like a brother to me, perhaps even more. His kindness and selflessness had been my anchor in this new, human world.
"Thank you for trusting me, Xavier. I really appreciate it," my eyes glistened with tears. I couldn't have gone this far, lived this dream, if it had not been for him.
"Catch you later, Pumpkin. I need to finalize some other things," he stood to his feet, then patted me on the back as he headed to the door.
He glanced at me one more time and threw a salute before he opened the door and closed it behind him.
I gently pulled the chair and sat. Work for the day had begun, I knew. And, of course, I had forgotten the meeting that was to hold at eleven a.m. It might have taken me five years to get to the spot where I was, but in five years, I've achieved so much, and I'm proud of where I've reached.
The human world was a different kind of jungle, where fighting fair didn't always guarantee success. It was a place where only the fittest survived, and I, Sophia Crane, had learned to adapt.
I was a different person now: Violet had always played by the rules, but Sophia Crane was unapologetic, willing to bend and even break those rules to get to the top. I had learned to shed the skin of the victim and embrace the strength of the predator.
The transition hadn't been easy, but it had been necessary.
The knock on my door startled me out of my thoughts, bringing me back to the present.
"Come in!" I called out, already knowing it would be Claire.
The door clicked open, and she walked in, affirming my assumption.
"It isn't yet eleven, or is it?" I queried.
She sighed. "Yes, boss. I'm sorry, boss. I'm so sorry. I missed out on one of your appointments. You're meant to have a scheduled meeting with Adrian Wolfe by nine a.m.," she rambled.
I wasn't much interested in whatever she had to say, but a name caught my interest. Did she just say Adrian Wolfe?
"Wait, who am I meant to have a meeting with?" I asked, my eyes burning with curiosity. I needed to be certain that this wasn't just a trick of the mind.
"Adrian Wolfe," Claire replied. "He's the CEO of the Wolfe Empire. He arrived here at nine."
My heart thudded in my chest, the words hitting me like a punch to the gut. How dare he show his face in my office, in my company, after all he had done?
"Cancel the meeting, Claire!" I ordered, my voice low and threatening. "Send them away. Now!"
"Excuse me?" Her eyes widened in surprise as she stared at me.
"You heard me, Claire!" I stared at her defiantly.
She blinked her eyes. "B-but t-they are already here. I know it's my fault and all for not telling you on time," she stammered.
I stood up, my eyes burning red now, and I was trying as much as possible to control Aria from coming to the surface. "I said send them away. Don't let me repeat myself!" This time I roared.
"Yes, boss," she shivered. Her face was terrified, and that was because she had never seen me this mad.
Revenge coursed through me, anger and pain filled me. I felt like roaring out loud. After choosing Emily over us, over what we had built together, a
nd now he had the guts to appear in our office? A name we built? That was Aria expressing her anger.
I would not be played for a fool, not again!