Chapter 5 HAUNTED REALIZATION

Mabella's POV

The murmurs rise into a deafening roar as I stood on the podium with confidence.

The camera clicked furiously as I placed both hands on the podium, my expression unreadable. Then, with a poised, deliberate voice I began.

"For years, Sheldon Technology has remained a silent giant in the business world. Many have speculated about it's leadership, it's decisions and the driving force behind it's success. Today, I am here to put all speculations to rest."

I paused, letting the tension settle. Then, with a smirk, I delivered the final blow.

"I am Mabella Green, heiress of the Green family and CEO of Sheldon Technology."

Gasps rippled through the audience. Reporters struggled to take notes. A few corporate titans exchanged stunned glances.

*****

Williams's POV

The city skyline stretched beyond the floor to ceiling windows of my office, the light of Rome twinkling against the blue sky. But for the first time in years, I didn't feel the pride I usually feel when looking out at the city I had conquered.

I feel hunted.

Last night encounter with Mabella is unsettled in me, in a way nothing ever had.

And now waking up to a press conference of her comeback makes me feel choked.

Her moving on, without anger or desperate for revenge is the greatest insult of all.

A sharp knock on the door interupted my thoughts. I turned, watched as my assistant, Isabella stepped inside.

"Good day sir," my assistant Isabella's voice broke through the silence, her tone professional.

"Yes," I replied, my voice hoarse, More out of habit than anything. Although I haven't felt myself all through the night.

"You asked me to look into Mabella Green, sir," Isabella said holding a brown cover document.

"Yes!"

"There's something you need to see," she said, handing over the documents to me.

I straightened myself. My stomach tightened with anticipation as I reached for the file, flipping it open with swift precision.

My eyes scanned the pages.

And then, my blood ran cold

CEO of Shelton Technology.

Mabella Green -- Net Worth: over $56 Billion.

"Expanding into international markets, Green has successfully established her company as a leading competitor against other companies."

My grip on the paper trembled.

Billionaire. CEO. Industry giant.

In just two months of being divorced, Mabella hasn't just survived -- she had thrived.

And worse?

She is my rival.

A sharp curse escaped my lips. I slammed the document shut, breathing hard.

"How the hell did she pull this off?" I demanded.

Isabella didn't blink. "Sir, Mabella Green has always been in the big league. I'm surprised you didn't know her." She said smoothly.

I reopened the file, stunned at this sudden discovery. Below the headline is a photo of her, radiant and poised, standing at a press conference in front of a crowd, her face a stark contrast to the battered woman I had left behind.

The words seemed blur before my eyes. How could this be? I had thought she was nothing without me, that my betrayal and divorce would break her. But here she is strong, powerful and trying to reclaim everything I had thought was mine.

So she had been the one pulling strings; I didn't realize it.

Ofcourse how would I? When Mandy deceived me into believing she's the popular Green heiress in Shelton Technology. And even promised me a billion deal merger.

This realization is hitting hard on me like a physical blow on my chest.

Panic begins to set in, crawling up my spine like a creeping shadow. My hands tightened into fists on the desk, knuckles white as the enormity of the situation hit me all at once.

"She's really going to ruin me," I muttered under my breath.

Why didn't I see all these?

Now the table has turned. I'm now the useless one!

I was deceived, but I won't be disgraced like this.

The realization that mabella had not only survived without me --- she had flourished. Every fiber of my being screamed against it. She was supposed to be nothing without me. And yet, here I am staring at the undeniable truth.

I can't stand this, I am loosing my mind. Spending the entire night tossing and turning instead of resting after a stressful day?

No!

By morning, I will pay her a visit. I need to see her face and remind her of who she was to me--- of what we shared. There have to be a way to regain control before it becomes too late.