Chapter 4 An Enigmatic Presence

Please call Kevin and tell him I won't be able to make it today," Annie instructed her secretary, Della.

"No can't do, ma'am," Della replied, sounding a bit hesitant. "You have never attended any of the meetings, I'm afraid he's going to freak out again this time."

Annie sighed but knew Della was right. "Alright, alright, if you think he needs me there, I'll be there," she conceded. "Help me put my bag in the car, please, and go get ready."

As they arrived at the meeting, the atmosphere was filled with anticipation. Everyone had gathered, and they were all waiting for Annie or, more likely, her personal assistant and secretary to show up. Kevin, in particular, was growing impatient.

"Isn't she going to be here today too? I thought as much," he said angrily to one of his colleagues. But just as he uttered those words, the doors opened, and there stood Annie Victor, looking confident and composed.

"Hi, everyone," Annie said, flashing a warm smile. "I'm Annie Victor, and I apologize for keeping you all waiting." Kevin's jaw dropped as he laid eyes on her for the first time. There was something captivating about her presence that he couldn't quite explain. Still staring, he stood up and welcomed her.

Annie was about to give her first talk ever, and she felt the weight of everyone's expectations on her shoulders. "Once again, I'm sorry for the delay," she began. "Being my first time here, I promise to keep it quick. This company is so dear to me, which is why I decided to join. I want the best for the company, and the best we shall attain together."

She glanced at Kevin, who quickly looked away, trying to regain his composure. "Mr. Green, thanks for letting me be a part of this great company," Annie said, her voice steady and confident. "I'm sure that with cooperation from all parties, this company will continue to thrive and never face any explosive situations." As she finished her sentence, she gracefully sat down, and the room erupted in a light applause.

The mention of the word "explosive" during her speech triggered an uneasy feeling in Kevin. It brought back memories of the dark deeds he had committed in the past, and it rang a big bell in his mind.

Throughout the rest of the meeting, Kevin couldn't shake off the uneasiness that had settled within him. Annie's presence seemed to have a profound effect on him, and he couldn't quite figure out why. As the meeting concluded and everyone started to disperse, Kevin found himself preoccupied with thoughts of Annie and the mysterious aura she exuded.

Annie, on the other hand, felt a sense of fulfillment. She had sensed that she had gotten to him during her speech, and that gave her a sense of satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Mya, Sarah's boss, had wondered for years about Sarah's whereabouts. She hadn't seen her since the night Sarah left the laptop with her. Despite her curiosity, Mya hadn't dared to open the laptop to check its contents, fearing that it might contain something she shouldn't see.

In the weeks that followed, Mya found herself preoccupied with the day-to-day operations of her struggling bookstore. Sales were down, and she could no longer afford the rent and other utilities. She was always running late, trying to juggle the demands of her business and personal life. After much contemplation, she made a difficult decision – she was going to sell the bookstore.

The day she was supposed to finalize the sale came, and just as Mya was about to hand over the keys to the potential buyer, her husband appeared at her door. She was taken aback, as she hadn't seen him since their divorce, and she wondered why he showed up out of nowhere after so many years.

"What do you want?" Mya asked, trying to hide the surprise in her voice.

"Calm down, I'm not here to fight you," he replied calmly. "I just wanted to let you know that the divorce settlement included provisions for potential buyouts or transfers of ownership in the future. I was given the right of first refusal if you ever decide to sell the bookstore."

His words hit Mya like a ton of bricks. She had completely forgotten about any such terms in the divorce agreement. While she did want to sell the store, she didn't want to sell it to her ex-husband. Her emotions were in turmoil as she needed the money from the sale, but she also wanted to distance herself from her past.

"Give me a minute," she said, needing time to think. She closed the door and walked to her phone, calling her lawyer for advice. Her lawyer confirmed that her ex-husband was within his rights and had the first option to buy the bookstore.

Frustration and anger filled Mya as she realized she was cornered by the terms of the divorce settlement. "You've got some nerve showing up here after all these years, just to buy back the store I got from you," she yelled, her voice trembling with emotion as she opened the door again.

"Well, looks like you don't have much choice, do you?" he retorted with a smirk.

Determined not to be controlled by her past or her ex-husband, Mya's resolve strengthened. "I won't sell to you," she said defiantly and closed the door angrily, leaving him outside.

Mya fell behind the closed door, tears streaming down her face. She felt trapped and frustrated, but she knew she had to find another solution. Selling the store to her ex-husband was not an option she was willing to accept.

As the days passed, Mya continued to explore various options, including reaching out to potential investors and applying for loans. However, despite her efforts, nothing seemed to be working out. Frustration and desperation began to creep in as she felt her dream slipping away. It was during this difficult time that Mya decided to turn to her family for help.

Reluctantly, she reached out to her parents and siblings, explaining her financial struggles and the looming threat of losing her beloved bookstore. Her family's response was warm and supportive. They told her she was always welcome to come back home if she needed to, reassuring her that they would do whatever they could to assist her.

But Mya knew she couldn't give up on her dream and return home defeated. She appreciated her family's offer, but she was determined to find a solution on her own. She continued to brainstorm and search for any way to save her struggling business.

One fateful day, Mya was cleaning her house, hoping to find any items she could sell to make some quick cash. As she went through old belongings, she came across Sarah's laptop. The memories of that night when Sarah had left it with her came rushing back. She remembered how Sarah had seemed so anxious and secretive about the laptop, hinting at its importance.

Curiosity got the better of Mya. "Wouldn't hurt to see its contents, right?" she asked herself. She decided to take a look, hoping that maybe, just maybe, there could be something on the laptop that could help her in her current predicament.

She set the laptop on the nearest seat and attempted to turn it on. However, it seemed the device had been abandoned for a long time and wasn't responding. Undeterred, Mya searched for the charger and plugged it in. To her relief, the laptop eventually turned on, and she discovered that it wasn't locked.

As she navigated through the laptop's files, what she found left her trembling in fear. The contents of the laptop revealed shocking information about Kevin. Mya recognized him instantly; he was quite well-known in certain circles. The laptop contained evidence linking Kevin to various illicit activities and a heinous conspiracy.

Questions raced through Mya's mind. What was Sarah's connection to Kevin, and why did she suddenly disappear after leaving the laptop with her? Did Sarah know about the laptop's contents? Could it be the reason for her sudden vanishing act?

Overwhelmed by the revelations, Mya couldn't believe the danger she might have stumbled upon. The laptop held crucial information that could potentially bring down a powerful man like Kevin. She knew she had to handle this situation carefully and thoughtfully. Her bookstore's struggles suddenly seemed small in comparison to the potential consequences of possessing such incriminating evidence.

As she pondered what to do next, fear and uncertainty gripped Mya's heart. She couldn't help but wonder how deep the rabbit hole went and what kind of danger she might be putting herself in by holding onto this damning information. The choices before her were not easy, and Mya knew that whatever decision she made could have far-reaching consequences.

An idea popped into Mya's mind, one that could get her out of her financial crisis. "I have a money problem, and Kevin's got money," she thought to herself with a sheepish smile as she decided to act on her plan. She knew that confronting Kevin directly could be dangerous, so she devised a more subtle approach.

Late that evening, Mya sat at her computer, crafting a carefully worded email. She had researched Kevin's company email address and decided to send him an anonymous message. Her heart raced with excitement and nervousness as she typed the following:

Subject: A Confidential Proposition

Mr. Green,

I hope this email finds you well. I must say, your reputation as a successful businessman is certainly impressive. However, I wonder how your esteemed colleagues and the public would react if certain details about your past were to come to light.

You see, I have stumbled upon some intriguing information that may not align with the spotless image you project. Let's just say I know what you did, and I'm not afraid to expose the truth unless you comply with my demands.

I need a considerable sum of money, and I expect you to prepare the funds in cash. You will receive instructions on where and how to deliver the money shortly. Do not think of tracing this email or trying to involve the authorities. I have taken all the necessary precautions to ensure my anonymity. If you fail to comply or inform anyone about this communication, I assure you the consequences will be severe.

You have 48 hours to prepare the cash. Once I confirm that you are ready to comply, I will provide further instructions on the delivery.

Sincerely,

A Watchful Eye

Mya hesitated for a moment before clicking the "Send" button. The email was en route to Kevin's inbox, and her heart raced with anticipation and uncertainty. She knew she had taken a risky step, but the desperation to save her bookstore had pushed her to this point.

As Kevin opened the anonymous email, a mix of shock and anger washed over him. His mind raced, trying to figure out who could be behind the threatening message and what information they claimed to possess. His carefully crafted empire was at stake, and he couldn't allow anyone to jeopardize it.