Chapter 26 Blame It on Clara
Finished
Desiree thought to herself, it was all Clara’s fault, that vixen. If not for her, Francis would still respect his parents. Because of her; he kept defying me.
For the next few days, Desiree often visited Francis’s marital home. She pushed him to marry Natalic. She even told everyone Natalie was her daughter–in–law.
At Clara’s apartment.
“Clara, it’s outrageous!” Liam said. “Francis hasn’t even divorced you yet, and he’s already planning a wedding with someone else. Rumors are everywhere. They say the Pierce and Dawson families are joining together, rekindling old ties.” He gulped cold water, spilling all the news he’d heard.
Clara was a bit surprised as she thought, they couldn’t even wait out the 30–day divorce cooling–off period?
She gave a small laugh as she thought to herself, well, I’d always known about their relationship. I was also set on leaving. It didn’t matter to me if they got together a few days earlier or later.
Clara listened quietly. She flipped through the book in her hands without much thought.
“Francis and Natalie were bound to end up together. They were engaged before, after all,” she said.
She paused, then added, “Since I’ve decided to divorce him, his business isn’t mine anymore. Liam, don’t get mad over this. It’s not worth hurting yourself.”
Liam was still upset as he thought to himself, why could Francis remarry right after the divorce while my little sister had to struggle to return to the Westwood family? To me, it was all Francis’s fault. He should face the consequences. I hate to see Francis living so comfortably.
“The New Year is in a few days, are you really not coming home?” Liam asked as he looked at Clara, hoping she’d change her mind.
“Liam, I know what you’re going to say. But I’ve told you, I want to return clean. So, I can’t go back with you this time,” she replied.
She thought to herself, the Westwood family had a rule. On New Year’s Day, everyone had to come home, no matter what. For years, I’d hidden my identity and stayed with the Pierce family. I never went back so I felt guilty. Now that I’d decided to return, I want it to be grand. Not like this, messy and broken. Even if my family didn’t care, I would.
“You know the family rules….” Liam tried to persuade her again.
“Liam, stop. I’ve made up my mind to return. A little more time won’t hurt, right?” she said.
Seeing her resolve, Liam stopped talking and sighed as he thought, she was, after all, the Westwood Mamily’s most beloved daughter.
8:32 PM c d
Chapter 26 Blame It on Clara
A few days later.
Francis stared at the papers on his desk. His brows were tight.
Finished
“Mr. Pierce, our projects keep hitting problems. Even the bank won’t give us loans. An old project. is stuck because the funds aren’t coming. Partners are pushing us,” an employee said.
“Mr. Pierce,” another chimed in, “yesterday, some long–term partners dropped us. We need them for year–end deliveries. Without them, where do we find new factories? If we don’t deliver, we’ll owe huge penalties.”
“Mr. Pierce…”
All morning, Francis heard nothing but trouble. He thought to himself, I have no idea who I’d crossed. Someone was targeting the company. I’ve just taken over the Pierce Corporation. I’m trying to build my reputation. This sabotage was meant to drag me down.
“Knock, knock.“The conference room door opened.
David stood there, looking worried. “Mr. Pierce, the board is here. They say the Pierce Corporation’s stock is dropping. The company has issues. They want answers. If you don’t give them, they’ll remove you as President.”
People in the room exchanged looks as they all thought, the board’s arrival meant big trouble.
“You can all go now,” Francis said. He stood and left with David.
“Mr. Pierce, the board came out of nowhere. I don’t know who started it. I’ve taken them to the main conference room,” David said as they walked.
At the main conference room door, Francis stopped. “Find out who’s targeting the company, or me, he ordered.
Francis thought, there are two possibilities. Either the board does want me as President and are stirring trouble, or someone is attacking the Pierce Corporation on purpose. If it’s both, things would get messy.
After giving the order, Francis pushed the door open and stepped inside.
