Chapter 2 Public Announcement

CHAPTER 2

Public Announcement

"Ade why that smirk on your face?" Violet argued. " Quit being so arrogant and just accept the fact that you didn't contribute much to The Cleland Family's success. We all understand how life can be sometimes, but being proud and ungrateful after James has given you a life and home when you didn't have none is downright unacceptable."

Ade pulled out her phone and typed into it.

They all wondered what she was doing.

Perhaps she was trying to find a way to sneak out of the embarrassing situation she had caused for herself?

Sandra's face worsened into disgust. "You are so shameless you know. So this is how you would have paraded yourself as the brains behind the Cleland Family if at all we didn't check you just now. So despicable."

Ade casually said, "I just made a public announcement that I would be pulling away from everything concerning the Cleland Family's businesses."

Sandra roared with derisive laughter." So what exactly are we supposed to do with that piece of information?"

James's phone pinged alongside Sandra's almost immediately.

When they checked, they saw that Cleland Conglomerates stocks had dropped to more than 30% from where it sat at the top.

Their faces dropped too, and all sense of amusement that they were having before vanished.

Sandra's phone began to buzz incessantly with messages, and calls.

Articles were popping up with negative reviews.

James's phone rang. It was a call from his father, head of the Cleland Family.

He answered, fear cascading across his face like waterfall over a rock, as he truly didn't understand what had just happened.

Did Ade have something to do with this catastrophe? How did she do it!

"D ...Dad?" He stammered.

"You stupppiid foooollll!!" His father bellowed, making James pull the phone away from his ear. "Have you seen our stocks? Why can you not control that fiancee of yours! Do both of you have to be my responsibility? Why are there so many negative articles talking about your crumbling relationship!"

" Dad it seems like Ade has spread some malicious misinformation about our companies, and now people are talking." James glared intensely at Ade.

If looks could roast, she would have been toast.

"I warned you against taking that riffraff as your fiancee..but you are too stubborn now see what she has caused. Now I am left with the task of involving PR and cleaning up your mess. It's not like you are of any help!" David hissed. " If you don't know how to date sensible women, go and become a Reverend. I'll happily oblige!"

He ended the call, and clenched his fists. " Ade. If you wanted to take revenge on me, why not do it with dignity? Why not face me? How dare you attack my Family's company? What sane person would do that!"

Violet went up to him and rubbed his back, encircling her arms with his." Let's forgive her Jamy sweetie. It happens sometimes people like her can get irrational, childish, a little destructive, but we understand."

Sandra scoffed. " You should learn one or two things from Violet, Ade. Look at how she is even standing up for you when you've done nothing but cause havoc and ruin. You are nothing but a puffed up, entitled little girl throwing tantrums."

Ade surveyed them all, her features remaining expressionless, detached. She went to Violet and threw the files in her face. "It's your wedding now, that you have to plan. I'm leaving."

Ade began moving towards the room to pack her things, pain lining every step she took as her mind whirled.

"Ade! Where the hell do you think you are going to? You think you can just walk away after this catastrophic commotion you have caused!"

She didn't pay any attention to James. For years her attention had been completely his.

Everything that she was, including all her skills and past life, she had abandoned, to make him happy.

Now she was taking it all back. She was picking back all the shattered fragments of her dignity, integrity and broken heart.

She was leaving his life, and she would never look back.

When she was done packing her things, she came back downstairs, pulling the black luggage bag on it's ball bearings.

James stepped on her way when she made to leave. "You can't just leave like that."

There was a flicker of surprise and uncertainty on his face. Fear at seeing her leave all of a sudden.

He hadn't expected she would try something like that, instead he'd thought she would beg him to keep her and then he would try to go into a negotiation with her.

He'd tell her to cohabit and live alongside Violet.

How could she come up with this radical decision to leave like this?

He didn't want to see her leave, it didn't sit well with him.

"And why is that?" Ade raised a brow.

"Where ...where are you going to stay? You don't have a place. Don't be stupid and go drop that bag."

" You don't have to worry about me James. You are free to take care of your real woman now."

His face consolidated into an unconcerned look." Well don't come crying to me afterwards. I am not going to take you back "

Sandra chimed in, " You shouldn't pay her any attention James. It is clear she is very arrogant. Allow her to go and become homeless. By the time starvation meets up with her, and she is looking like a famished stray dog, then she will realize we have been nothing but kind to her."