Chapter 10: Adjourned.
Frances Lin sat confidently at the head of the long, polished conference table, her sharp gaze scanning the room as the board members discussed pressing company matters—stock performance, employee wages, and strategies to increase production.
"Lin Cosmetics is already a dominant brand here in Lichfield and across England," one of the directors said, folding his hands earnestly. "There's a proposal we all support—but we know it can't move forward without your approval."
He slid a stack of documents across the table. "Miss Frances, if you take a look at it… we'd be thrilled if you consider saying yes."
Frances picked up the document without a word and flipped open the cover page. Her expression darkened almost immediately.
"A proposal to expand into Macedonia."
She slammed the file shut, making everyone in the room flinch.
"Who the hell thought this was a good idea?" she asked, her voice cool but visibly irritated.
"We all did, ma'am," another board member said cautiously. "Is there a problem with the location?"
Frances stood slowly, eyes scanning the room with disbelief. "Macedonia? Of all places? What happened to countries with stronger market pull—Italy, Cape Town, even Patricia?"
One of the men spoke up, trying to explain. "Macedonia's growing fast, ma'am. A lot of major brands are setting up there—Luce Group, K&M, The Bear Group, Chap Fashion World—"
"Are you seriously trying to school me on market trends?" Frances cut in with a bitter smirk.
"You think I don't know Macedonia's business potential?" Her voice grew sharper. "Let me be clear: I built this empire from the ground up. I don't need anyone in this room telling me how to run my company."
The room went quiet as she stepped away from the table.
"This is the last time I want to see this proposal. Bring me something that actually makes sense."
Without another word, Frances walked out. Bianca followed behind, calm and collected.
Once back in her office, Frances tossed her glasses onto her desk.
"They've left?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am. Right after you did," Bianca confirmed.
"Good. You can head home now."
She picked up her water glass and took a long sip, her face unreadable.
---
Meanwhile, at Charlotte's apartment...
Charlotte Blake lounged on the sofa, swirling a glass of red wine in her hand, a rare smile on her face. She felt good—really good. Life finally seemed to be going her way.
She thought back to her college days—those long years spent pretending to be Flora's friend. Flora, so naïve, so trusting. It used to infuriate Charlotte how easily the girl let her in, despite the betrayals and setups Charlotte kept orchestrating behind her back.
And Marcus—he had been dating Flora first. But Charlotte was always in the picture, always creeping closer, until she eventually took what she believed should've been hers all along.
Flora's intelligence only made things worse. Top of the class, adored by lecturers. Charlotte had played the adoring friend on the surface, while seething underneath.
She raised her glass higher. "Cheers to us, baby."
Marcus walked in and smiled as she handed him a drink.
"Cheers, darling. What's the occasion?"
"Nothing really," she said with a sly grin. "Just celebrating how good life's been treating us."
He chuckled, sitting beside her and pulling her into his lap. "I like the sound of that. How's business? Chap Fashion World still dominating?"
"Of course. We're practically a household name in Macedonia," she said proudly, kissing him lightly.
"Well, we're not quite at The Bear Group's level yet," he teased, "but we're getting there."
She laughed. "We'll catch up soon enough."
He smirked and scooped her into his arms. "Come on then, let me show you just how much I've missed you."
Charlotte giggled as she unbuttoned his shirt. "Don't hold back."
---
Later that evening...
Stafford Chris stood by the dining room window, adjusting the cufflinks on his suit. He'd called for a family dinner—something they hadn't done in years. All he wanted was to see his children together again, even if the tension between them hung thicker than ever.
He dialed Raymond.
"You should come home tonight," he said, his voice low. "We're having a family dinner. I've already informed your sister."
Raymond stood at the window of his office, eyes unfocused as the wind blew through slightly parted curtains. He lit a tobacco roll and inhaled deeply. There was no reply. Not even a word.
Sky, his ever-loyal PA, stood just outside the door. Raymond had already instructed him not to let anyone in—no visitors, no family, no business talks. Solitude was all he wanted lately.
Sky couldn't help but think of the young woman who once brought some light into his boss's cold life. If she were still around, maybe Raymond wouldn't be so isolated.
---
Later that night, the dinner table was full—but the warmth was missing.
Chris tried to keep the conversation going, directing his words mostly at Raymond.
"I was thinking," he said, cutting into his steak, "about the expansion of the ongoing project. What if we bring in some overseas companies? Build a stronger network."
Raymond didn't respond. He didn't even look up.
May and Kelvin sat across the table, barely masking the disdain in their eyes. Paris, Raymond's sister, noticed and shot them a look filled with quiet contempt.
Chris's heart ached at the silence. He kept eating, trying to act like the coldness didn't sting. But deep down, he knew—this wasn't a family dinner. It was just a reminder of how far they'd drifted apart.