Chapter 4
Archie Wilcox was the heir to Averon Group.
He was also the last person to see me before the car crash three years prior.
We met in a private booth at a rotating restaurant.
Archie looked slimmer than he had three years prior, his jawline sharper, and there was an unreadable look in his eyes.
When he saw me walk in, he paused, his glass held halfway to his lips.
"Elena," he said.
"It's been a while," I replied.
"Three years," he said.
Archie set his glass down.
"I've been looking for you for three years," he said.
I sat down across from him.
"I know," I said.
Archie looked at me, not asking about the past three years.
He only asked one question.
He asked, "What do you need?"
"Access to Averon's overseas supply chain channels," I said.
"You want to relaunch the Garrett family's international operations?" he asked.
"That's not all," I replied.
I slid a proposal across the table.
"I want to take away forty percent of the Garrett family's market share in Midgard," I said.
Archie flipped through the proposal, read a few pages, then looked up.
"How long did it take you to put this together?" he asked.
"During my last month with the Garrett family," I replied.
Archie smiled.
"You're still the same Elena, just as I expected," he said.
"Tell me your terms for working together," I said.
"There's no need," Archie replied.
He closed the proposal.
"The Garrett family and Averon Group had a longstanding agreement. While you were gone, Clive ended it on his own," Archie said.
"So?" I asked.
"We can reinstate the old contract," Archie said.
He raised his glass.
"Welcome back, Ms. Andrews," Archie said.
As our glasses clinked, my phone buzzed.
Derek's number was blocked, but he was using a new one to call me.
I didn't answer.
Derek texted: [Elena, Sidney's kindergarten has an event tomorrow. What are you going to do?]
I flipped my phone over.
I turned to Archie.
"What's the best kindergarten in Oakwood City?" I asked.
"Maplewood Academy. But the waiting list is a year long," he replied.
"Can you make it happen?" I said.
"You want it done by tomorrow?" he asked.
"Yeah," I said.
Archie gave me a look, then picked up his phone and dialed.
Thirty seconds later, he hung up.
"It's done. Someone will pick you up at nine tomorrow morning," he said.
"Thanks," I said.
"No problem," he replied.
Archie took another sip of his drink.
"By the way, Derek's chip order for Midgard is due in two weeks. His supplier is Octmond Group in Eldoria," Archie said.
"What are you getting at?" I asked.
"Averon Group is actually the controlling shareholder of Octmond Group," Archie said.
I paused mid-pour.
Archie said it in an even tone.
"If you want, that shipment can be delayed," he said.
"How long can you delay it?"
"Until he defaults on the contract," Archie replied.
I stared at him.
He stared right back.
"Archie, do you have a personal grudge against Derek?" I asked.
"Nope," he said.
He set his glass down.
"I just can't stand a guy who keeps his wife caged for three years and still thinks he's doing her a favor," he said.
I didn't respond to that.
"Let's not rush the Octmond Group matter," I said.
Archie raised an eyebrow.
"I want Derek to walk right into my trap on his own," I said.