Chapter Five: The Aftermath

Liya sat in her sleek office chair, the soft glow of the desk lamp illuminating her focused expression. Joie and Aisha were perched on the edge of their seats across from her, a mix of excitement and relief on their faces.

“You both did good,” Liya said, her tone genuine yet authoritative.

Joie grinned, brushing off the compliment. “Hey, it was nothing big. Easy peasy!” Her cheerful smile radiated confidence, a stark contrast to the tension they had just navigated.

Aisha, ever the playful one, chimed in. “Yes, yes, no big deal at all,” she teased, winking at Joie.

Liya couldn’t help but roll her eyes, a smirk forming on her lips. “Yeah, get out,” she replied, her irritation feigned, though the warmth in her voice was unmistakable.

The two women chuckled as they gathered their things and left the office, their laughter echoing down the corridor. Liya felt a moment of camaraderie that lightened the weight of the day’s events.

Outside the SL Group Building

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, chaos erupted at the entrance of the SL Group building. A man’s voice cut through the evening air, frantic and desperate.

“Let me in! Let me go! I want to meet her!” he shouted, pushing against the guards who held him back.

Liya approached the entrance, irritation pooling in her stomach. It was 7 PM, and the office was meant to be a sanctuary of order. Every employee was expected to leave by 6, a strict rule she enforced. Overtime, in her eyes, was a waste of time, energy, and money. If a person could not complete their work within the allotted hours, then they needed to reevaluate their capabilities.

As she stepped closer, the chaos came into focus. There, making a scene, was none other than Mr. Ree, his face flushed with anger and desperation.

“Did you not know I do not like chaos?” Liya said in a calm tone, though her eyes sparked with annoyance.

“Sorry, Miss, he’s not willing to go,” one of the guards replied, shifting nervously.

“Take him out of my sight, or you know what will happen to you,” she warned, her voice steady but firm. The guards exchanged nervous glances, clearly intimidated by her presence.

“You can’t do this to me!” Mr. Ree shouted, his voice cracking with indignation.

“I already did,” Liya replied, her expression remaining expressionless.

“I still own the company’s shares!” he countered, desperation creeping into his tone.

Liya raised an eyebrow, a smirk curling her lips. “I made sure you no longer own those shares. Anything else?”

“B…b…but how can you—” he stammered, disbelief washing over his features.

“I told you not to double-cross me, or you would regret it. And here we are. As for the company, it’s going to be mine by tomorrow. See you in court.” With that, she turned on her heel, walking away, leaving him shouting in her wake.

“NO! No! Nooooo!” His voice trailed off as she exited the building, the guards finally ushering him away.

At Home

Once she reached her elegant apartment, the soothing ambiance enveloped her. The day had been exhausting, but the thrill of victory lingered. After changing into comfortable clothes, she headed to the kitchen to prepare her dinner. Cooking was a small pleasure she allowed herself, a way to unwind after a long day.

With dinner plated, she settled in at the dining table, music softly playing in the background. Each bite was a moment of tranquility, a reminder that life continued beyond the chaos of the corporate world. Ella, her housekeeper, had already left for the evening, leaving Liya to enjoy her solitude.

After dinner, she rinsed the dishes, the rhythmic sound of water calming her racing thoughts. With the kitchen tidied, she moved to her library, a sanctuary filled with the stories of countless authors. She grabbed a novel, the rain tapping softly against the window, adding a layer of comfort to her reading.

Liya loved to read; it transported her to another world, allowing her to escape the pressures of reality. As she flipped through the pages, she lost herself in the narrative, her worries fading into the background.

But as the clock struck 10:30 PM, she reluctantly acknowledged that sleep was calling her name. With a final glance at the book, she closed it and placed it on the table. She felt a twinge of disappointment—she wanted to read more, to dive deeper into the story.

After changing into a long, soft nightgown, she settled into bed, her mind still racing with thoughts of the day. She was on the brink of something monumental, and even as she drifted off to sleep, she could feel the thrill of what lay ahead. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, she would rest, ready to rise again and seize her destiny.

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