“So long as she forgives me when she’s through.”
Emily laughed, more amused now. “Unbelievable.”
I shrugged. “She’s allowed to be upset.”
Theo shook his head slowly. “Still. Remind me never to get on her bad side.”
“I don’t intend to,” I said calmly. "And Ryan, from now on, only flag purchases over fifty million.”
He blinked. “Fifty… million?”
“Yes.”
Ryan nodded. “Understood.”
“Only notify me if she tries to buy something that exceeds that threshold.”
“Understood.” He nodded once and excused himself from the room.
I once again thought of how she tried to buy a bookstore, and that's when something clicked. The image settled in my mind then the perfect idea came to me. It was sure to help me earn her forgiveness.
I reached for my phone while Emily and Theo continued talking, their voices fading into the background as I focused on my newly formed plan. I scrolled to Maria’s contact and pressed the call button.
She answered on the first ring. “Good afternoon, Mr. Sterling.”
“I need you to handle something for me.”
“Of course.”
With renewed hope, I explained my plan to Maria, who quickly confirmed what I wanted. She seemed just as excited as I was to surprise Vani. I ended the call, a small smile forming on my face as I set my phone on the desk.
Emily noticed immediately. “What did you just do?”
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
Theo narrowed his eyes at me. “That smile says otherwise.”
I leaned back in my chair, feeling entirely certain of my decision.
My smile fell the second my phone lit up with an incoming call from my mother.
I was still angry about the way she had spoken to Vani at lunch. She was rebutted at every turn, but initiating the verbal attacks made her the one at fault. She could be calling to apologize, but the word 'sorry' wasn't even in her vocabulary.
With no other choice, I declined the call. I had every intention of returning it later, after I figured out how to speak to her without saying something I wouldn’t be able to take back.
The phone barely hit my desk before my office door burst open and my mother marched in like she owned the building.
Behind her, my assistant Daniel looked panicked, his hand still hovering uselessly near the door handle. Emily jumped to her feet, steadily moving towards the door as our mother approached me. Theo moved the second Emily did, clearly debating whether to intervene or pretend he hadn’t seen anything.
“Sir, I tried to stop her—” Daniel began.
“It’s fine,” I said calmly, even though it wasn’t. I knew I couldn't blame him, not where my mother was concerned. “You can all go.”
My mother stood in front of my desk, perfectly composed in a tailored navy suit, pearls resting neatly against her collarbone. Her posture screamed authority.
Her expression screamed fury.
“How dare you ignore my calls?” she said, beginning her verbal ambush.
