Annabelle's POV
His eyes darted from my face to that of Jackson who was busy tugging at his pants. I could see the questions in his eyes. Oh God! I was avoiding this. He mustn't find out that Jackson was his son. I could almost hear his silent questions. Do you have a child? Are you married now? And it wasn't helping one bit. His gaze slowly trailed to my hands, probably looking for a ring. I jerked my hand away from his and pulled Jackson to myself. “If you'll ex–” my words trailed off when he crouched down to Jackson's level and gazed at him so softly, almost like he knew he was his son and I felt my heart squeeze in my chest. Does he know already?! He flashed Jack a smile. "Little boy, I and your momma were just having a decent conversation here." Jackson frowned. "Then you should use your mouth, not your hands. Why were you dragging her hands? I'm going to tell my grandpa!" He ran off. Travis trailed his eyes on me again and I struggled not to buckle under his intense gaze. I could discern the flicker of disdain beneath those icy dark depths. "I see you have a child now." He finally said. "And how is that any of your business?" I snapped. "She must have managed to sleep with a rich man after you threw her away like trash!" Samantha interjected and I sent her a deathly glare but she didn't budge. "Tell us who you leeched on this time around because that's the only explanation why you are here." She continued. I didn't say anything as I assessed Travis' face. He looked almost the same, just more mature than five years ago. He clicked his tongue like something had just occurred to him. "Oh! Anabelle. Are you that desperate to get your way into a rich man's home? Did you think Mr. Spencer had a chance?" He cackled with laughter. "No, he doesn't. He has only a daughter and she's the reason we are all here today. Or are you by chance thinking of seducing the old man?" I felt raw disgust towards him. How could I have been married to a lunatic like him? He must still think so low of me. I had to teach him a quick lesson. “I wouldn't be so sure if I were you Travis,” "Stop being sarcastic, Anna," Samantha sneered. "It doesn't suit you. At least, I am not a low class like you. My family is pretty comfortable and I even managed to get Spencer gifts, but look at you, you're here empty-handed." A laugh slipped from my throat. I couldn't imagine the shock both of them would feel when they learnt of my identity. The first phase of my revenge. “At least, I'm being real. I'm not trying too hard to impress Spencer and do you think they're gonna fall for your cheap items?" Samantha flared up but before she could retaliate, her knight in a shiny suit, spoke up for her. "And how can you be so sure? How dare you try to speak to Samantha that way? Have you forgotten you are her shadow and will forever remain that way?” Travis glared at me as he grabbed my hand, his fingers dug in my skin and his dark green eyes bored into mine with so much hatred which I matched a hundred times over. "What gives you the right to raise your filth on the lady?" A voice asked coldly as someone emerged from a corner. It was Henry and his face was void of any expression. A scowl crawled up Travis' face as he whipped his head around to look at Henry . “And who are you?” "Mr Henry Anderson, the Acting CEO of the SD company.” His voice was so confident, I nearly did a happy dance. The way Travis immediately switched to a polite mode after Henry’s introduction, proved how shameless he was. “Wow, Henry. It's such an honor to finally meet you. And well...I was only teaching this lady a lesson!" "A lesson? Hmm." Henry grunted as something icy flashed in his eyes. "Do you have a death wish or do you know who she is?" Travis could never take such insults no matter how richer than him anyone was, so naturally, his face had already darkened. He slipped his hands into his pocket as he gave Henry a leveled look. "Mr Anderson , with all due respect. This lady here is my ex-wife and she shouldn't be of concern to you. I doubt you even know her.” Henry scoffed. "Really? Are you trying to insinuate that I won't know my own wife? Do you have a death wish!?" Wife?! Samantha let out a gasp. The look of shock that flashed across Travis' face was iconic. He seemed like he was confused. It was normal because I was shocked too. I didn't expect Henry to call me his wife. "Anna is your wife?" Travis' voice was barely audible as he looked at me in horror. Henry ignored him and wrapped his arm around my waist. "Are you okay?" He asked as he led me away from them. Once we rounded a corner that led to the garden, he let go of my waist and gave me an apologetic look. "I guess I shouldn't have said all of that," he began. "I just wanted--" "No, not at all. Thank you." I smiled warmly at him. "It's so good to see you." "Same here! I can't wait to go for–" The beeping sound of his phone cut him off sharply. He spoke politely to the person at the other end of the phone and I could immediately tell it was Dad. He turned to me as the call ended. "The party is about to kickstart. Your father wants me to inform you to go to the hall. He says he's there already. I need to attend something important. I'll catch up with you later." With a smile plastered on my face, I entered the hall and I was welcomed with myriads of guests. All elites and nobles. I stalled at the door for a brief moment then I straightened my gown before I made a majestic step into the hall, my eyes scanning round for Jackson and my heart fluttering as I spotted him walking alongside my father somewhere at a distance, yet his eyes lit at the sight of me. I was heading to the front roll when Samantha darted out from no where again. "And where do you think you're going, Anna?" I felt a light nudge as she came to stand beside me. "It's none of your damn business.” I snarled at her. “Hmmm. I know You might think you have finally managed to click a golden opportunity to become Henry’s wife but He's an ordinary CEO and cannot even compare to the daughter of the SD founder, Mr. Robert Spencer whom Travis is well acquainted with. Later today, when I meet her I'll have her ruin you and Your husband’s life." "Oh, really? Travis is well acquainted with Spencer's daughter? That's great news. I should probably pin a medal on him or something." "Dry." She remarked. And I watched with amusement as she beckoned to a security guard and the latter crossed the room to meet her. "How may I help you, ma'am?" He asked her. A wicked smile appeared on her face. "This lady here doesn’t have an invitation! How the hell did you even let her waltz in here? What if she’s up to no good, which I’m sure she is!” With the way Samantha kept pressing to get rid of me, it was obvious she was so scared of something. Probably scared of losing her husband to me? Wait, are they even married? The security guard faced me. He was a new face around here and most certainly wouldn't know who I was, which was good because I wanted to see the lengths Samantha would go in trying to humiliate me. After all, I would have the last laugh at the end. "Ma'am, please can I have a look at your invitation?" He was polite but there was an edge to his voice. "There's no way she'll have that. Just drive her out already or you might as well lose your job too. Do you know who I am? I’m Samantha Harris and I’m close friends with your boss!” Samantha yelled defiantly. Close friends... wow! A look of panic appeared on his face. "Ma'am, please I don't want to lose my job. I—“ "We will now welcome the chairman's daughter!" The voice from the speaker drowned the guard’s voice. Samantha’s nose flared at the intrusion. "I'll deal with you later!" She threatened before she went to take her seat at one of the round tables. That was when I noticed the other members of Travis’ and Samantha's family. Like Travis' grandmother and parents, and Samantha's parents. They were all seated together with their vicious demeanor. I sneered at the faces of the monsters who’d put me so much hell proceeding to sit in the front row. But it's a good thing they were all here. "I know most of you don't know who my daughter is," Dad began on the podium and I smiled. "That's because we had a little rift between us some years back. But today, you'll finally have the chance that you all have been waiting for, to see her face." The hall reverberated with a loud applause that seemed to never want to end. "I hereby announce my daughter, Annabelle Spencer as the Heiress and partnering CEO of the SD Corporation!" The hall was thrown into a state of frenzy as everyone had their necks craned to see who I was. With a huge smile, I stood up and made my way to the front as they began clapping thunderously. Dad gave me a tight hug. "Welcome back, my daughter. You deserve this!” I scanned for just a few people and as expected none of them were clapping, heck they were all too shocked. Samantha was staring at me. horrified. Like she’d just seen a ghost and so was the rest of Travis’ family. Their jaws were hanging in horrifying shock and for Travis, he looked like he was in some sort of trance. His green eyes couldn’t even conceal his perplexity. It darkened in vague surprise. Yeah, that was it! The first part of my revenge and The tip of the iceberg.Annabelle’s POVI smiled so widely inside of me, the terrifying look on their faces gave me so much joy that I felt victorious already, but no, I’m just getting started. “Pull up your smiles more, Anna.”Henry, who had walked up to the stage to take pictures with me, silently whispered behind my ears. I felt an ounce of happiness and an outer smile. The noise of the guests and cheers brought me back into the party, I was literally feeling every stung part of me back into a complete sense of freedom and euphoria.My father pulled my face and looked to my face,“You’ve made us all proud, Anna. And I’m especially proud of you.” He briefed before taking up the microphone again.“Thank you all so much, it’s been so many years without my daughter and it’s an utmost joy for me to see her back home and taking her place. Thank you all for celebrating this day with me. Enjoy and have fun!” My father hugged me once more and placed a soft kiss on my cheeks, I smiled wholeheartedly again, I have
CHAPTER 7 ANABELLE’S POV The next morning, all employees were back to work and getting things going. The contract skyline company had signed was what I had to work on. I picked up my phone to give Henry a call. He hasn’t shown up since I entered the company’s compound. My phone rang and after a few seconds, I could hear his voice over the phone. “Hey!” “Hey? Look at you. I can’t find you anywhere around the company.” “I’ve been in the company for hours now, in your father’s office to be precise.” “Oh! I think I’ll need your attention here also.” I could feel his faint smile over the phone as he responded. “No problem, I will be there soon.” Henry showed up in my office after some minutes. I looked at the man in a fitted white suit, his purple tie knotted and down his neck, he walked gently and found himself a chair for us to have a better conversation. “You called me.” “Here, take a look.” I turned the desktop to him, and after he took a glance, Henry paused and looked
Chapter 8Annabelle’s POV "You did well, sweetheart." My father tapped my head and gave me a bit of his every second courage as he did the last time "Thank you, Dad." I must have truly made him happy by coming back, and my presence is more like an energy rising. I walked round the chair in his office and went to the cushion in the office, rested and closed my eyes. "Let's have dinner when we're home. I'll invite Henry also." "Alright dad, I'll be home to prepare something for us. We still have three hours before dinner" "Are you going to sleep there?" I turned my face to him to see my weary eyes that said I can't drive and I need to close my eyes for a few minutes. He didn't take long to understand, he breathed in deeply and sat on his chair. I turned my face back and slept. I must have slept for an hour or more. Henry knocked and my eyes were opened. "I'm leaving for home, your Dad asked to call you downstairs." I realized my Dad wasn't even in the office anymore. "Go
Annabelle’s POV"More celebrations sir." Henry said, waving at my father who didn't bother to look back and went out of our sight in a minute. I let out a laugh and hugged Henry. "Told you, you'll do great." I gave a smile as a response. "Such beautiful work. I'll take my leave now." Got a message from Henry, he congratulated me once more. He was home, the message was a short video, with him smiling and wishing me more luck. I was busy smiling at my phone, and I remembered my father had asked me to show up. I ran upstairs and found out he wasn't asleep already. -------------The Next Day.Dressing up for work again, I left the house before my father this time. The progress last night and I couldn't wait to get the message from Skyline myself. I hurried to my office and I got so many messages except Skyline's. One of which Travis was part of. "Travis?" I muttered, surprised he had the aptitude to text me again. I ignored the message at first until he showed up at the office again
Annabelle's POV"Jackson? What are you doing here?" my little boy was walking gently like an easy god. His appearance was quite different from what I have always seen. His eyes looked Piercy like he was looking for something to bounce on and pinch it effortlessly."Mum!" His voice sounded so pleasing that I caught him in my embrace. his beautiful voice I’ve heard for less, since the party ended and now he is in the company, roaming around the office area. He might have passed by those securities, or did father bring him in? "I was looking for grandpa. He told me to wait outside that door but he disappeared and I couldn't find him anymore, so I wanted to see if he was around anyway.""Oh! you shouldn't be walking around like this, look at your hair." I fixed his rough looking hair,"You both have met each other.""Dad, you brought Jackson to the office?""Yeah, he missed his mother he could not see before going to bed.""Grandpa is right, I miss you mum.""That's sweet of you, baby. D
Chapter 11 Annabelle’s POV I was impatient to know what contradicted between Henry and Travis even though I refused to show up at the meeting. I walked down to Henry's office to ease the suspense I was experiencing. "Hey, how did it go?" I asked, flashing him an innocent smile just to hide my curiosity. "It didn't go well." He responded in a lower tone. "Why?" "Travis was so disappointed that you weren't there, he was not active so I canceled the meeting and reschedule it. There is no way I would be talking to myself." He narrated out of frustration, there was a frown registered on his face. I smiled as the words pleased my soul. "Sorry about that." "Thank you, I know you are happy but don't laugh here." He warned, that made me burst into laughter. He gave me a bombastic side eye, so I walked out of his office immediately. The last thing I would do is to have a meeting with him, it is evident enough that he wants me to get involved and I’m not ready to. I headed straight to
Chapter 12Annabelle's POV My thoughts are now shifted from dealing with Travis to raising the company far and higher than it is. It's the only way I can get ahead of Travis and beyond. Henry wasn't in support of it but I'm pleased and that's all that matters to me. I'm too filled to even remember my son wanted an ice cream. I sat to think a bit, the rest of day is done and I have to be home, Jackson's got to see his mum have time for him. “Dinner? To soothe you a bit. Send a message if you want to meet, or not.” I stared at the message that popped out on the screen of my phone. “I never get to breathe?” I said to myself. My head whooshing, getting all red painted but I could still let off some steam.“Harry grill cutties…meet me there.” Henry sent back a message to acknowledge he got the message. Sometimes I just laugh at myself and breathe heavily, I'll definitely make it out and show the Smiths what I'm made of. I kept my thoughts on a steady spot,walking to my father's offi
Chapter 13Annabelle's POVI don't know what went wrong, he could have just asked me to stay back if he couldn't take care of him. “Dad? His head was faced down on the table. He gently raised his head up,his face filled with fury. “Dad, what's the matter?” “Don't stand there, asking me unnecessary questions.” He barked at me. I was fear locked when he said that. My heart shifted it got me scarier. “Dad.” I said, softly. “You didn't tell me you'll take the company into family business.” “Family business? Dad, I don't understand.” I cried.“Why did you join in with Travis? Uh? Answer me!!” His hands banged hard on the table. I could feel the fury in his voice. He was really disappointed. “You are the CEO of the company and if anything goes wrong, you'll answer for it.” “Dad!” I moved closer to him, hoping he'd stay calm and listen to me. “Dad, listen, I'm not letting him in because I want to be with him again. I just wanted to raise the company's welfare.” I explained. “So wh