Chapter 7

It was better if Adrian had kept silent. After he spoke, Samantha was outraged. She slapped him and anxiously said, “Do you think you’re the war legate? Ask General Summers to settle this. Who do you think you are?” Rue was crying, and Adaline turned around to hide her tears. If Celine found out that they were fighting at Alyanz Tower, she would surely not let Adrian get away. “Sam, put your trust in me,” Adrian said to her. “Why should I?” She looked at him as tears welled up in her eyes. She never thought that Adrian would be so impulsive that he would start a fight here. There was no time to think. Samantha quickly said to Rue, “Mother, Ada, bring Adrian home. I’ll go in on my own. “I’m just one woman, I don’t think Celine will do anything to me.” She thought that was the only way out. Rue was nervous. “Sam, just let this go. Let’s all go home.” “Sam, we won’t be able to remain calm if you go in there alone. We should just give the company to them,” Adaline tried to advise. But the company was everything to Samantha. She shook her head. “No, I have to go. Take Adrian and go, I—” But before she could finish, Adrian started walking into the building. Samantha and Rue lost their minds. Adaline yelled, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Come back here!” Adrian ignored them and continued walking. When Samantha saw this, she sighed and gave up. “Fine, let’s go in.” She had no other ideas. Her only hope was that during the event, Celine would listen to reason. Samantha, Adaline, and Rue followed Adrian into the building. *** The event venue was filled with people. Top executives of corporations in Swallowston were in attendance. It was a busy sight. This was the first time Rue and Adaline were attending such a grand event. They were overcome by nervousness. “Ladies, please take a seat. General Summers will be here soon,” Adrian said when he saw the three women trailing behind him. Samantha ignored him. She looked at the crowd and waited for Celine to join them so she could ask for her company back. Rue was anxious as she looked at her son. “Adrian, you just got back yesterday so you don’t know what’s been happening around here. Tell me, why are you so sure that General Summers will be here? Do you know the status he holds?” Rue asked. She knew who he was. He was second to none in Swallowston. Adrian replied, “Mother, he’s my right-hand man. He’ll be coming here to take care of Celine. Just wait and see.” His mother sighed again because she had not expected her son to make up such a huge lie. She thought that he changed. He was no longer the honest and down-to-earth Adrian who left for war. Samantha took a seat next to Rue and Adaline and did not say a word, but from her expression, it was obvious how annoyed she was. She did not believe that General Summers was going to show up or even help her take care of her problems. Soon after, there was a commotion and a woman in extravagant clothes and fine jewelry walked onto the stage. It was Celine Blanche. “The president is here?” “Ms. Celine, I’m from the Maple Group. You should consider a partnership with us!” “Ms. Celine, the Kara Group would also like to be one of your partners!” A buzz went through the venue. Top executives from various corporations came to speak to Celine. She was the president of the Alyanz Chamber of Commerce, and Alyanz managed forty percent of the companies in Swallowston. Now that she had taken over the House of Bailar, a lot of companies wanted a cut too. “B*tch…” Adaline mumbled under her breath as she looked at Celine who was all smiles. This was the woman who had stolen Bailar from Samantha. Rue was just a lowly housewife, so when she saw Celine, she shuddered. Samantha, on the other hand, just sat there deep in thought. *** “Hello everyone,” Celine spoke as she raised her arms, “Please quiet down. I have an announcement. “I received news last night that the war legate will be attending the agreement-signing ceremony, so we are waiting for his arrival.” Everyone was shocked when they heard this. “The legate is coming?” “Ms. Celine is so well-connected!” “Was the legate the person who showed up at the port with aircraft carriers yesterday?” Everyone in Swallowston had heard of the legate, and the news of his aircraft carrier escort had spread throughout the city. When they heard the legate was coming, the three women were evidently shocked. Rue said, “Sam, the… the legate will be coming, and we’re here to ask Celine about the company. What if we offend him?” “Sam, we should leave now. I heard that he’s a fierce man.” Adaline tugged at Samantha’s dress. Samantha shook her head. “It’s my company. Even the legate doesn’t have the right to take it away from me. As long as he doesn’t kill me, I’ll fight him till I get it back!” Samantha was stubborn and never backed down from a problem, even if someone held a knife to her neck. But Rue was worried about the family. “Sam, we can’t just do whatever we want. What are we going to use against the legate?” “I’m pretty sure he’s a reasonable man. I’m glad he’s coming. I can speak to him in person,” Samantha said. Rue stopped arguing the matter. Adrian spoke up, “Mother, don’t worry. I’m the legate.” “Adrian, why do you… Sigh!” Rue was disappointed. “Can you please stop lying?” Samantha looked at Adrian in disappointment but did not say anything. Adrian was speechless. He was telling the truth, but no one believed him. It was obvious that they had never met anyone of high status, so they did not believe him. Adrian did not say another word. He sat down and continued waiting. *** Celine walked off stage and started shaking hands with the executives present, but Samantha caught her eye. “Why is she here?” Celine grumbled to herself as she walked toward Samantha. When she got to Samantha, she said, “Samantha Cowell, you’ve handed the company over to me. What are you doing here? Didn’t you see the sign that says ‘Samantha Cowell and dogs aren’t allowed?’” The place fell silent as everyone’s eyes turned to Samantha. Then, a chatter started up. Samantha replied, “Celine, you worked with your cousin, Devin, to frame me and force me to sign the agreement to give my company away. I’m here to reason with you.”