Chapter 3

"A full buyout?!"

Richard’s voice echoed from the main conference room. Even through the heavy wooden door, the disbelief in his voice was palpable.

I stood in the hallway, looking down at my phone.

Liam had sent a Snapchat message: "Signed the papers? Let’s celebrate tonight."

I replied with a "Yes", and slipped my phone into my pocket.

The conference room door swung open.

Richard walked out, sweat glistening on his forehead, talking rapidly to the CFO, Robert.

"Vanguard Capital? I’ve never even heard of them wanting to enter this market! Who’s backing them?"

Robert wiped his brow. "Word is it’s a newly established investment firm, but the real power behind them is the Sterling Group."

Richard stopped dead in his tracks.

The Sterling Group. The biggest shark in the industry.

Compared to them, our company was a tiny fish in a very small pond.

"The Sterling Group is buying us out?" Richard’s voice cracked. "Why would they even care about us?"

"It’s not Sterling directly," Robert whispered. "Apparently, it’s a personal venture by the Sterling Group’s heir. He just returned from Europe, loaded with cash, and is snapping up local tech companies."

Richard’s expression shifted from panic to a forced smile. "Well, that’s good news, right? Merging with a giant means more job security."

"Good news?" Robert shot him a look. "It’s a full buyout. Everyone has to reapply for their jobs. Richard, you’re forty-eight, aren’t you?"

Richard’s smile froze.

I stepped out from the shadows behind them and cleared my throat.

"Long time no see, Richard."

Richard spun around. His face went blank, then confused, and finally twisted into absolute terror.

"No... Nora?"

I gave him a polite nod.

Robert looked between us, sensed the tension, and quickly walked away.

"What are you doing here?" Richard took a step back, hitting the wall. "Are you here to—"

"To sign the final papers." I pulled a leather folder from my bag and tapped it lightly against my palm. "Vanguard Capital. Lead Investment Representative. I did the due diligence for this acquisition myself."

Richard’s mouth hung open.

The sweat on his forehead seemed to double, dripping down his temple.

"Nora," he hissed, lowering his voice. "Three months ago, we... I..."

"Three months ago, you told me," I said, mimicking his exact condescending tone, "'Nora, if you had a boyfriend, we might have reconsidered.'"

Richard’s face flushed a deep, embarrassed red.

"I went home and thought about it," I said, sliding the folder back into my bag. "You were right. So, during my three months off, I got married."

He stared at me, dumbfounded.

"My husband is Liam. You know, the guy you just mentioned," I smiled sweetly. "The heir to the Sterling Group."

Richard’s knees actually buckled. He had to lean against the wall to keep from falling.

"Nora," he rasped, his throat tight. "We worked together for eight years. I always respected your talent. That layoff... it was company policy, not personal—"

"I know," I interrupted. "That’s why I don't blame you."

A tiny glint of hope appeared in his eyes, only to be crushed by my next words.

"I’m just following company policy, too. A complete restructure. Only the strongest survive. Our Chairman, Mr. Sterling, personally signed off on it." I looked him up and down.

"Have you prepared your portfolio for the re-application process, Richard? I recall your performance reviews for the past three years were two C’s and a D."

Richard turned pale as a sheet.

Ignoring him, I turned to walk into the conference room.

Suddenly, a flurry of hurried footsteps sounded behind me.

Brenda rushed out of the elevator, her makeup slightly smeared, her eyes red. She grabbed my arm.

"Nora!" she gasped. "Nora, please... I was wrong. You can't let them fire me—"

I looked down at her hand on my arm.

She quickly let go, looking embarrassed.

"Brenda," I said calmly. "You’re forty-six this year, aren't you?"

Brenda froze.

"The company needs a younger vibe," I said, returning the exact words she had thrown at me three months ago. "Older employees like you, over forty-five, are a liability."

Brenda’s face crumpled.

I walked into the conference room, and the door shut behind me, blocking out the world.

My phone buzzed. It was a Snapchat from Liam: "Signed? What did their faces look like?"

I typed back: "Guess."

He replied instantly: "I want to see it in person."

I smiled. "You'll get plenty of chances tonight."