chapter 20

The next morning, the warm golden sunlight streamed through the tall French windows of Reed Mansion, casting a soft glow on the luxurious bedroom. Angela stirred under the silk sheets, stretching lazily. The previous night had been eventful, but she had slept soundly in the familiar comfort of her father’s house. It felt different yet oddly nostalgic—this was the lifestyle she had once been accustomed to before she married Jorge Trumph.A gentle knock on the door broke her drowsy state."Miss, are you awake?" came the polite voice of a maid from outside.Angela blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, before answering lazily, “Hmm… come in.”The door opened, and two maids entered, pushing a massive clothing rack filled with dresses of various colors, designs, and styles. Their respectful demeanor indicated that they had been assigned a special task.“Miss, these clothes have been prepared especially for you. Master and the Elder Young Master are waiting for you in the dining hall,” one of the maids informed her.Angela sat up in bed, rubbing her temples. Her father, Parker Reed, was always extravagant, and this was just another display of his love. She glanced at the dresses—some were from high-end international brands, and some were custom-designed. The fabrics were exquisite, and many of them were the latest designs from the fashion world.She sighed with a slight smile. Dad is so extra… He must have wanted to buy out all my favorite brands so that I’m the only one wearing them.It had been a while since she had lived in such luxury, but she had to admit, it was nice to be pampered this way.“Alright, you may leave now,” she said, waving them away.The maids bowed slightly and exited, leaving Angela to her thoughts. She got out of bed, took a quick refreshing shower, and then picked out an elegant yet commanding outfit—a striking red dress that complemented her complexion, paired with an off-white blazer. The ensemble was a perfect mix of power and grace. She put on light makeup, letting her natural beauty shine, and then made her way to the dining hall.Inside, Parker Reed and her older brother, Michael Reed, were already seated at the long, lavish dining table. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and a gourmet breakfast filled the air.As soon as Parker saw her, his face lit up with a broad smile. “My baby’s finally awake!” he said warmly.Michael, who was reading something on his phone, turned his gaze toward Angela and gave her a knowing smirk. “I heard David Bardem tried to ruin your reputation by posting an edited picture of you online, but you managed to prove him wrong and completely crushed him. And he even had to apologize publicly. Not bad, little sister.”Angela walked over and took a seat beside them. She casually picked up a piece of toast and shrugged. “He was the one who provoked me first. He deserved what he got.”Michael chuckled. “Serves him right.”Parker Reed took a sip of his coffee and placed the cup down, looking at his daughter fondly. “What are the Bardems compared to my baby? Do whatever you want, princess. If anyone dares to mess with you, we’ll make sure they regret it.”Angela smiled. Though she had built her own strength, it was comforting to know her family had her back.After finishing breakfast, she made her way to the company’s office, where she was now working as Vice President.As she stepped into the building, she spotted her assistant, Rohan Andrew, waiting for her at the door to her office. His face was composed, but there was an urgency in his stance.“Vice President, Ms. Angela Reed,” he addressed her formally. “Sofia Lindt arrived early and has been waiting for you inside.”Angela nodded and glanced at him. “Any updates from LIVIAN Corporation?”“Yes, Ma’am,” Rohan replied. “I’ve contacted Mr. Almon Waltz, the President of LIVIAN Corporation. He proposed a dinner meeting to discuss the potential collaboration.”Angela considered it for a moment. “Alright. Schedule an appointment with him.”“Yes, Ma’am,” Rohan confirmed before stepping aside as she entered her office.Inside, Sofia Lindt was seated in Angela’s chair, looking rather comfortable as she lazily scrolled through her phone. The moment she saw Angela, her expression changed, and she hurriedly got up, a forced smile on her face.Looking flustered, Sofia turned to Rohan Andrew and complained, “Why didn’t you tell me that the Vice President was here?!”Angela smirked, crossing her arms. “Mr. Rohan Andrew, I think Ms. Sofia Lindt like this chair. Please delivered it to her office.”Rohan hid his amusement well and responded, “Yes, Ma’am.”Sofia’s face paled. “No, no, Ma’am! I don’t need this chair. There’s no need to send it to my office.”Angela leaned slightly against her desk, tilting her head. “I am the Vice President, Ms. Lindt. I don’t like sitting in a chair that someone else has made themselves too comfortable in.”Sofia swallowed nervously but quickly composed herself. “I came here to discuss business,” she said, stepping forward and dropping a document onto Angela’s desk.Angela arched a brow, looking at the file before glancing up at Sofia. “Oh? And what business would that be?”Sofia straightened her posture. “Many companies are interested in TATTEL Corporation’s latest project. Their Chairman, Mr. Samuel Luca, has personally invited you to a dinner meeting tonight to discuss potential collaboration. Ma’am, I strongly believe this is an opportunity we should seize.”Angela casually flipped through the pages, scanning the details. Sofia’s eagerness was suspicious. She had openly opposed Angela at the meeting the other day—why was she suddenly acting helpful?Angela’s lips curved into a slight smirk. She’s up to something… Well, if she wants to play, I’ll play along.She placed the file down and met Sofia’s gaze. “Ms. Lindt, will you be attending this dinner as well?”Sofia, expecting Angela to decline, was momentarily startled before quickly nodding. “Of course. I will introduce you both.”Angela’s smile didn’t falter. “Great. Then I’ll be there on time.”Sofia seemed satisfied with that answer, though Angela could tell she was hiding something behind her pleasant demeanor.After Sofia left, Angela’s phone rang. It was Easy.“Angela, I did some digging into TATTEL Corporation,” Easy said. “And guess what? Their company isn’t doing well. They sell luxury watches, but nobody really buys watches anymore—everyone just uses their phones. Their business has been declining for a while now.”Angela tapped her fingers on the desk. “I see… So Sofia is trying to push me into a dead-end deal?”Easy scoffed. “Exactly. She wants to set you up so you make a mistake in front of everyone. That woman is sneaky.”Angela smirked. “As expected. She’s digging a pit, hoping I’ll jump in willingly.”Easy chuckled. “What are you going to do?”Angela leaned back in her chair. “The dinner tonight will be extra interesting.”Continue...✍ Atrayee Sarkar