Chapter 6 Cut Ties

I've spent two weeks here, and it hasn't been easy having encounters with Logan every day. Steering clear of him is simple; our communication is limited to what's strictly necessary, and courtesies like greetings are superfluous. He doesn't like me and doesn't bother to hide it. I strive not to care, reflecting back the same attitude, or at least I try. I put forth a strong and indifferent front when around him, but deep down it hurts quite a bit.

Sometimes, I feel his gaze on me, as if he's trying to decipher me. It's irritating and stirs my anxiety. None of them remember me, the boy whose life they shattered over five years ago. I prefer things to stay that way; I have no desire to dredge up the past.

Yet, the thought of making them all pay hasn't left my mind. They wrecked my world and then pretended as if nothing happened. But the worst of them, the one who hurt me...the most, is someone I'm unsure how to handle. One by one, I'll learn their weaknesses.

As I reach the office, I'm confronted with an unexpected sight: Audrey and Julian kissing, apparently now married. It figures they're cut from the same cloth, contemptible both. But I know this woman's Achilles' heel-it's that man, whom she has followed all her life, and everything heinous she did to me was to please him.

Audrey: "Miley? What are you doing here?"

Julian: "You know her?"

Audrey: "Have you lost your mind? How can you not recognize her? Even if she now appears somewhat respectable, she's still the same vermin who brought shame to my family and attacked yours."

At least they cling to their deceit as expected, they have to.

Julian: " it can't be ,you are not that Miley." I wasn't hiding, though I was fine with none of them knowing who I really was, not until I was ready to deal with them.

"It's me."

Julian: "It can't be..." Audrey grabbed my arm tightly, and Dave, along with the other two bodyguards, looked ready to approach, but I indicated not to. I'd been longing to do this.

Audrey: "You're here looking for work? How brazen! Wasn't what you did enough? Get out of here!" I wrenched free of her grip and slapped her; she fell to the ground in pain.

"In the first place, don't touch me. Secondly, you're mistaken if you think I'm the same miserable person who was wrongfully accused and had his life ruined. I'm a Hales now, and I won't hesitate to repay you a thousandfold for all you've done."

Audrey: "You accursed wretch, how dare... you" Dave held back.

Audrey: " Let go of me, you wretched fool! A Hales? don't make me laugh, you could only wish."

Julian: "She's telling the truth."

Audrey: " What?" I couldn't help but smirk at her pitiful reaction.

Audrey: " How did you manage it? Who did you bamboozle, you wretched cur?

" Watch your words, Have you forgotten that your daddy's company, as well as your agency, work for me?"

Audrey: " We don't work for you. Over my dead body. We answer to the Hales, not you."

" Well in that case , you haven't received the notice, My name is now Miley Hales, and I oversee the company and associates across America."

Audrey: " That's not true ,. you're a nobody, you can't..."

Julian: "She's telling the truth. Calm down, Audrey."

" Notify security that I do not wish to see this woman on Pierce's Group of property again."

Audrey:" You can't throw me out, I'm Julian's wife, and whether you like it or not, he chose me and you can't change that."

" Do you think I care? Even if you were the wife of the president, I can bar you from entering this place. You hold no power here; I do. Take her away." She left on her own feet, yet her humiliated and livid expression was priceless. As satisfying as it was to see that pair feel inferior, It was soon overshadowed by the sight of Logan's livid gaze, he now knows who I am.

I avoided his Stare and hurried to my office, only able to handle one confrontation at a time, not yet ready to face his venom head on.

I received a call from my twins; connecting the earpiece, I could see Jaden, it seems my princess fell back asleep as soon as I left.

"Hello, my love."

Jaden: "Mummy, Kiara and I want to go to the zoo."

"How about we go on the weekend, darling?"

Jaden: "But the tiger will only be here until tomorrow, we wanted to see it."

"Alright, then I won't come to the office tomorrow afternoon, and we'll go to see it.

How does that sound?"

Jaden: "Yes, thank you, Mum. I love you."

"I love you more, sweetheart."

Jaden: "Will you come to have lunch with us, Mum?"

"Of course, I promised I wouldn't miss a meal. Sending lots of kisses, love."

Jaden: "Bye, Mum."

"Jaden, is that how you say goodbye?" His shrug follows, and then he blows me a kiss, which I mirror.

"See you at lunch, take care of Kiara, I love you..."

Logan: "Am I interrupting?" I hung up immediately, how long has he been standing there? Moreover, the way he looks at me is quite accusing. I ignored his mood;

it's not my problem what he believes or thinks of me...

"Do you need something, Mr. Pierce?"

Dave also entered.

Dave: "Sorry, Ma, I didn't realize."

Logan: "Do I need your bodyguard's permission to enter? Are you that afraid?"

After seeing my kids, I feel a little better, managing to remember why I'm here, and how much | despise this person.

"Don't worry, Dave. | assume Mr. Pierce has something important to say." And as the case whenever one of these men bursts into my office, Dave stays and assumes a vigilant stance. Logan disapproves of his presence, but there's no way I'm staying alone with him, especially now that he knows who | am.

Logan: "What are you playing at now? Revenge?"

"Feeling scared?" His twitching temple tells me that he's reaching the limit of his patience if he has any.

Logan: "Don't get smart with me. It was you who dared to offend me, and | don't care if you have the protection of the Almighty himself; | will not forgive you a second time."

"That suits me fine, as | do not require your forgiveness, and | am even less interested in you. | made myself abundantly clear on my first day here: I am solely concerned with the affairs of the Montenegro family,MY FAMILY, and it doesn't matter to me even if the devil himself falls, I will make him pay. Am I clear?" His clenched fists betray his irritation, and it seems there's a lot he wants to say. I feel like my legs are about to give out, or I'll faint from all the pressure I'm feeling inside, driven by his rage, but I force myself to stand firm,meeting his gaze even though inside I'm a frightened and vulnerable pup. That is a side of me that no one will ever see again.

At last, he turns and storms out, slamming my door. As though my life is tied to his departure, I fall to the floor, strengthless.

Dave rushes to me and helps me to the sofa.

Dave: "Ma, are you alright?"

"Yes, I just need some rest. Thank you for...your help."

Dave: "You are the strongest and bravest lady I have ever met. Even a guy like me felt somewhat intimidated in the presence of that man, but you handled him incredibly."

"Do you think so? ." I sit up, feeling slightly out of breath. My guardian brings me some water.

Dave: "From now on, I will be more vigilant, I promise."

"Please, I don't think I can survive more encounters like these."

Dave: "You can count on me, ma."

---

Aiden: " I've read the reports you sent me; your decisions are sound. Nathan and I agree that you should proceed as you see fit. That was all I was waiting for; after advancing in my investigation, we found that five...companies we deal with were deceiving us.

"Then I'll start immediately; the first to go will be Majestic Company and Renai. They'll serve as a warning to the others. By the end of this week, our ties with these companies will be severed, and those responsible will get their due."

Aiden: " And what will you do about the Gilberts? He's probably asking because I didn't mention them."

" They will face the same fate as the others."

Aiden:"Are you fine with that? If you want to take a different approach, that's fine. Sometimes I think Aiden must be clairvoyant."

"A different approach like what?"

Aiden: " Ever heard of poetic justice? Get creative, sister. Now you have the power."

" Thanks, I'll think about it. Also, I'm considering breaking some alliances. I think we could occupy those slots in more profitable markets, or find more innovative companies that offer greater returns."

Aiden: Which companies do you want to let go of?

"Just three: Pierce's Group, Durian Industries, and Metro."

Aiden: The latter two are negotiable,though I thought Durian Industries was doing a great job.

" Their president is an imbecile, an exploiter who believes he has the world at his command. The epitome of the men I detest. Men like him have nothing to contribute to our future plans, and I'd prefer to never work with them again."

Aiden: I'll defer to your rare personal judgment then. Go ahead and remove those two. We can handle any lawsuits; that will be your responsibility to find replacements.

But why cut ties with Pierce's Group?

| had hoped he wouldn't ask this | can't tell him it's because | can't stand dealing with this man any longer. Only to my father did I confess the truth about what happened with the Pierce's, and he wanted to end their association. I told him it wasn't necessary.

If I could have foreseen all this, I would have begged him to do it.

" Never mind, I'll call you back later. As for the lawsuits, don't worry, I've got that covered."

Aiden: I knew you were the right choice for this. I leave it in your hands then.

Anything else, you know you can tell me,right?

" I know, thanks, brother. Take care."

Heavens, it's late; time to head home. I barely make it in time to tuck in my babies.