ZAIA.
THREE YEARS LATER…
Ice my fingers together, resting my elbows on the sleek marble of my top- floor executive office.
Scoffing as the man before me rambles on.
Cocking a brow, I finally intervene. “Mr Santoni, time is precious, and I have ces to be, deals to
close, and money to make. So, shall we get to the proof that thesepany records show?”
His face pales as he presses his lips into a tight line. “You are gravely mistaken, Ms Toussaint! I can
assure you the miners’ project was something that we handled correctly! Those poor folk are trying to
con thepany! They are snakes!”
My eyes sh as I m my hand on top of the file, making him flinch as I stand up.
“Mr Santoni. I will not tolerate you antagonising me. You embezzled millions of dors from this
company, which was set aside for the family of the deceased miners abroad after the ident two
years ago! Did you really think that I would not look into it?” I ask sharply, my voice dripping with
authority and warning him to dare deny the truth that isid before us.
He lowers his head, swallowing hard. A drop of sweat trickles down his face and he takes out his
handkerchief, wiping it away nervously.
“P-please Ms Toussaint… the th-thing … I mean I have served thispany for over twenty years, my
father before me worked for the Toussaint enterprises, how can you let that all be cast aside so qu-
quickly…” he mumbles his eyes darting around the office as if looking for a way to escape.
We are on the thirty-seventh floor of Toussaint Enterprises, a building that sits in the centre of the
business district. There is nowhere to escape with security on every floor and at every exit.
That does not excuse the fact you took money that was not yours.” I say coldly, “Those families needed
it far more than you, and when they raised those concerns, you tried to silence them.”
The scandal had rocked the empire, and it had cost thepany a lot, despite the fact the manager
put in charge had been careless and Mr Santoni here had only made matters worse. But ultimately the
company must take responsibility for the mistakes made, and the lives lost.
I try to calm my wolf’s emotions by taking a deep breath. Although I’ve only shifted once in my life,
lately her emotions have only gotten stronger, I guess being surrounded by idiots does that.
“I… I know Ms Toussaint… but I… I’m sorry! And I will pay it back, p-please please don’t press
charges!” he pleads as he suddenly holds his hands up pleadingly as he rushes to the table, and gets
into my personal space.
I move back, my eyes shing as I press a button under the table. “I need security. I’m afraid you will
have to take the consequences for your actions, Mr Santoni.”
He freezes as if unable toprehend those words before he tilts his head and shakes it vigorously.
“I will never ept it!” he shouts as the door opens and two security guardse in. “I-I did nothing!
I’m being framed.”
I raise an eyebrow, motioning at them to take him out. “Your confession is caught on tape, Mr Santoni.
Anything and everything can and will be held against you.”
“You lied! You tricked me! No no! I will not ept it!”
I fold my arms under my breasts and turn away from the shouting man as he’s dragged from my office.
“Are you alright, Boss?”
“Of course, please close the door after you, Carlisle.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
The door shuts and I sigh as I walk towards the windows that run across the entire wall, from floor to
ceiling, behind my desk. I look out at the city that is mapped with sky-high buildings in modern sleek
designs.
Cars queue along the roads and the faint sound of horns ring can be heard from drivers impatient to
get to their destinations
My eyes flick to a building far across the business district. A building that towers several storeys higher
than ours. The biggest here…. the exterior is full ss, with words in matt ck running along the side
that you can read from miles away, set against a silver background.
ARAN KING
I look away, the pain that would once clench at my heart as a reminder of my ex, a pain that would w
at me like poison is almost non-existent…..
Almost.
I stare at my reflection in the ss. Before me is a woman with hair styled into a high sophisticated
updo, a few tendrils of red hair frame her face. Sharp eyes that are winged with ck eyeliner, and bold
red lipstick covers her lips.
A woman who is the image of control andposure.
I’m wearing a white satin blouse that is emphasised around my breasts. I’ve gained weight there since I
had the little ones. The blouse is tucked into my beige pencil skirt, that hugs my hips and waist.
Zaia Toussaint, the Managing Director of Toussaint Enterprises.
It has taken me three years to get to this position with only my father and the CEO above me. In three
years, I achieved what many take decades to attain.
I fought with everything I had to get to where I am, proving myself at every corner, fighting against
those who tried to thwart me and pin me with false usations.. Annalise may have ruined my past but
not my future… Though the pain remained for years, I realised that if we had truly been strong enough,
nothing would have been able to ruin what we had.
I lived in a world of delusion and facy, but now, now, I live in a world of wit, deceit, and power. I prefer
thetter because, in this world, no one can break my heart. A knock on the door makes my breath
hitch, bringing me out of my thoughts.
Turning, I walk over to the desk; I click stop on the audio recording I had been making on myptop
and look towards the door.
“Enter,” I say clearly. The moment the door opens, and the scent hits me, I realise it’s father before he
evenes into view.
I sit down in my seat and cross my legs. We may still not agree on everything, and we may not be
close, but we have formed a pleasant working rtionship.
“Zaia,” he says, closing the door behind him. He opens his suit jacket button and takes a seat on one of
the chairs opposite me. “I hear you had Santoni reported tow enforcement, and you are charging him
with multiple ounts of embezzlement, abuse of power, and defamation.”
I nod, twirling a strand of my hair around my fingers.
“Yes. As well as presenting misleading and false information to thew. I understand that Santoni has
been a part of thispany for many years and even the board of directors are rather concerned about
my decision, but this is not about loyalty, but betrayal. And I, for one, will not tolerate it.” “You are
ying a dangerous game, Zaia. You do know that the Santoni family is powerful.”
“I know, and you don’t need to worry about me, father. I know what I’m doing. Santoni’s arrest will be an
example for the rest. A warning that the Toussaint empire will not tolerate criminal activities.”
Dad smiles and nods slowly.” Impressive, you really are born to be a businesswoman, Zaia… or I
should say a boss. I wish I had seen it sooner, but then, you are only twenty-four years old, you have
your life in front of you. I wasn’t toote.”
“Thanks to me.” I say lightly.
He chuckles and nods in agreement before he nces up at me.
He’s observing me, but seems a bit lost in thought before he shakes his head and taps his knee. “Well,
I have arranged a business dinner party in your honour. Make sure the weekend is free,” he says.
Weekends… I made it clear that weekends were not work time, although yes, I did work from home
every week, but I didn’t like to leave the house for work.
But I don’t refuse, it’s a one-off… so instead, I simply nod. “And why are you throwing a dinner in my
honour?” I ask instead.
“You will see.” He stands up and so do I as we make our way to the door.
N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
“I look forward to it, I reply with a smile.
Dad is about to reach for the door handle when there is a knock on it and Dad pulls it open to reveal my
secretary, holding a tray of hot drinks.”Oh, I’m sorry Mr Toussaint! Ms Toussaint…” She trails off meekly
and I shake my head.
“It’s alright Nancy, Dad is leaving.” I say as I take my mug from the tray.
“Yes, but thank you,” Dad says to her politely before he leaves, and I return to my desk.
Now, what’s next on the agenda?