Chapter 2

Mom and I didn't pack a single thing. We walked straight out of that so-called home.

I quietly closed the door behind us, shutting out Roman's rage-filled screams and the crash of things being smashed inside.

The evening breeze brushed against our faces, a coolness lingering in the air. Mom was still trembling, but her hand gripped mine tightly, as if I were her only life raft.

"Reese, where are we going?" she asked, her voice sounding lost.

"To a place that's ours," I said, steadying her as I flagged down a taxi and told the driver to take us to a five-star hotel.

Once we settled into the hotel, Mom finally started to calm down a little. She sat on the soft sofa, gazing out at the glittering city lights, tears silently streaming down her face.

"I'm such a fool," she murmured. "I should've seen it coming. He's been coming home later and later these past two years, always with the scent of a different perfume on him. I was stupid enough to buy all his talk about work events."

I handed her a tissue, saying nothing.

Mom had to heal herself. No amount of comfort from me would matter.

After crying for a while, she looked up, her eyes red and full of worry. "Reese, is what you said about the company books true? Will Roman try to hurt you?"

I squeezed her hand and gave her a comforting smile. "Don't worry, Mom. He is too busy dealing with his mess right now. He won't have the energy to mess with us."

Everything I said was true.

After college, instead of living it up like other rich kids, I joined Holloway Group and started from the very bottom. Roman was more than happy about it, probably thinking it'd be easier to keep tabs on me if I were right under his nose.

Little did he know, he was handing me the perfect opportunity.

Over the past two years, I rotated through every core department in the company, from finance to projects. I knew every sketchy deal on his books and every sneaky trick he tried.

At first, all I wanted was to quietly gather evidence and wait for the perfect chance to make sure Mom got the best possible deal out of the divorce.

I never expected Roman to be stupid enough to let everything come crashing down on his own.

My phone buzzed. It was a text from Roman.

The message was nothing but threats and nasty insults, calling me an ungrateful backstabber and saying he'd throw Mom and me out with nothing, leave us homeless on the streets.

I blocked him and deleted the message without a second thought.

Now, he was a toothless tiger. The louder he roared, the more it showed he was insecure.

"Mom, focus on getting a good night's rest," I said softly, making sure she was comfortable. "We've got a lot ahead of us tomorrow."

*****

Early the next morning, I was jolted awake by the shrill ring of my phone.

It was Samuel, the company's vice president. He was Mom's distant cousin and a company old-timer, always on our side.

"Reese, this is bad. Your dad's gone crazy." Samuel sounded frantic. "He called an emergency board meeting first thing and said he's going to kick you out and freeze all the shares you and your mom own."

My gaze hardened. It seemed he was running out of options.

"Samuel, don't worry. I'm on my way," I said.

After hanging up, I looked at my calm reflection in the mirror and took a deep breath.

Roman thought he could call all the shots on the board and believed those shares actually belonged to him. However, I would show him who truly ran this company.

I slipped into a professional outfit and turned to Mom. "Mom, don't stress about anything today. Relax at the hotel, then maybe go shopping, and treat yourself to a spa. Get all dressed up. Leave everything else to me."

Mom looked at me, worry still lingering in her eyes, but there was an unfamiliar look there, one of trust and pride.

She nodded. "Alright, Reese. I'll be here waiting for you."

*****

When I arrived at the company's conference room, it was already packed with people.

Roman sat at the head of the table, his face dark and stormy, with deep shadows under his eyes. Clearly, he hadn't slept a wink. When he saw me walk in, he let out a heavy snort.

"Reese, you dare show your face here?" Roman barked, slamming his hand on the table. "You have no respect for your dad and disgraced the family name.

"Starting now, you're out of Holloway Group. I propose we immediately strip Reese of all her positions in the company and freeze every share under her and Victoria's names until we decide what to do next."

A few of the directors who were always in his pocket immediately jumped in to back him up.

"I second Mr. Holloway's motion. Someone so disrespectful to her dad is a disgrace. Keeping her in the company would only bring trouble."

"Exactly. If she can't even manage her household, how could she possibly run a company?"

Samuel was sweating bullets, trying to catch my eye with anxious glances.

I ignored him completely, strode over to the empty seat across from Roman, and met the gaze of every director in the room.

"Kick me out? Freeze my shares?" I laughed, light and unbothered. "Mr. Holloway, did you forget? Only shareholders holding more than 10% of the company can even call a board meeting."

I said, pointing at him, my smile growing cold. "Do you have those qualifications?"