Top floor, CEO’s office.
Edward leaned back in the oversized chair, sipping tea like he had all the time in the world.
In his mind, Delia was just a brat who threw tantrums over divorce stuff – she didn’t know the first thing about running a company.
But with Curtis backing her, he figured he’d better get the company under his control sooner rather than later.
Just then, the phone on his desk rang.
He grabbed the receiver, clearly annoyed.
“What?”
The trembling voice on the other end came through.
“Mr.
Fleming, Delia is here.
She said you have five minutes to come down and meet her…”
“And she added, if you don’t, you can kiss the company shares goodbye.”
The receptionist peeked at Delia, her voice shaking as she repeated that last bit.
“What?!” Edward shot up from his chair.
“That crazy girl…”
He took a sharp breath, trying to hide the panic creeping in.
“Can’t even keep her from walking in.
Fine.
Tell her I’m coming right now!”
He slammed the phone down, face dark as thunder.
In one swift motion, he yanked his tie, frustration boiling over as a hundred thoughts raced through his mind.
Why the hell did she suddenly show up?
And more importantly, how dare she use shares to threaten him?
He cursed her in his head a dozen times, but he knew this wasn’t the moment for an all-out war.
He had to keep her in check – at least on the surface.
He wiped the irritation off his face, fixed his expression, and strode toward the elevator.
Moments later, the elevator door opened on the first floor.
As he spotted Delia, his face lit up with an overly friendly grin.
“Delia!
Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?
These clueless employees – how dare they try to stop you…”
He glanced sharply at the receptionists, tone instantly cold.
“Are you all blind?
How do you not recognize Ms.
Fleming?
Apologize to her right now.
And don’t even think about your bonuses this month.”
The staff turned pale and rushed to bow their heads, apologizing over and over.
Delia stared down Edward’s performance with a blank face, the sarcasm in her heart practically spilling out.
Arms crossed, voice flat, she said, “Edward, I don’t have time for your little act.
You don’t have a problem with that, do you?”
Muscles twitched faintly at the corners of Edward’s mouth, but he kept on smiling.
“Of course not, Delia.
You’re welcome anytime.”
He stepped aside, gesturing in an exaggeratedly polite way.
Delia didn’t even glance at him, simply nodded at Benjamin beside her.
The two of them headed straight for the elevator, leaving Edward no choice but to trail behind, face stiffer by the second.
He had to know what Delia was planning.
As the elevator moved upward, Delia’s mind was already working overtime.
When she walked in moments ago, she’d scanned the place.
All unfamiliar faces.
Not a single employee from when her father ran the company remained.
Her fists clenched at her sides, fury quietly rising inside her.
So this was Edward’s game – rooting out everything her father left behind just to wipe her out completely.
How stupid had she been in her past life, to actually fall for the fake sincerity of someone like him?
She gritted her teeth, her gaze growing heavier.
“Ding-”
The elevator chimed as it reached the executive floor.
As the doors slid open, a young man in gold-rimmed glasses stepped forward, wearing a polite smile.
He was clearly Edward’s assistant, but he didn’t recognize Delia at all.
Noticing the sour look on Edward’s face, the assistant immediately stepped up, blocking their path.
“Hey, who are you?
This is Mr.
Fleming’s office!”
Hearing that, Edward’s face almost turned purple with rage.
For a moment, he even forgot to breathe.
This idiot!
Delia paused mid-step, glancing calmly at Killian Nash.
Though her eyes were still, Killian felt a chill run down his spine for no reason.
“Killian, shut your mouth,” Edward hissed, yanking him behind like a shield.
Then he quickly turned to Delia, his tone overly apologetic.
“Delia, he’s new and clueless.
Don’t fuss about it.
I’ll fire him right away…”
Killian stood there frozen, totally lost.
He blinked at Delia, then back at Edward’s furious stare, still confused why this beautiful young woman stirred such panic.
Off to the side, Benjamin raised a brow at the scene.
With a small shake of his head, he let out a short laugh.
He casually walked over to Delia, leaning in to speak quietly: “Looks like it’s time for a good cleanup.
Might as well set the future course.”
His words might have been light, but they hit like a thunderclap.
A board meeting?
Edward’s head jerked up, his eyes full of panic.
What is Delia trying to pull?
“Delia, isn’t this too sudden?” Edward scrambled to object.
“You need to notify everyone in advance.
Some of the board members might be tied up.
Maybe we take things slow?
Let me walk you through the company first…”
“No need.” Delia finally spoke, her voice calm as she turned around.
“Seems like you’ve still got things mixed up.
The Fleming Group belongs to me-I do what I decide is best.”
She paused briefly.
“Mainly, we’ll be discussing some staffing changes.”
Benjamin nodded with ease, tone smooth as ever.
“Mr.
Fleming, would you make the arrangements?”
Edward opened his mouth to resist, but Delia’s icy gaze cut him off.
His shoulders stiffened as he looked away, sighing begrudgingly.
“Right…
I’ll go handle it.”
*****
Inside the top-floor boardroom, the atmosphere was suffocating.
One by one, all the Fleming Group execs took their seats around the long oval table.
Delia sat at the head, the spot reserved for the chair.
She leaned back casually, chin lifted slightly, her face calm and unreadable.
Benjamin lounged comfortably to her right, looking like nothing could faze him.
On her left, Edward settled in with a sullen expression, eyes darting suspiciously across the room.
He caught a few glances among the others-some skeptical, some dismissive toward Delia.
That gave him a bit more confidence.
Clearing his throat, he took the lead.
“Everyone, Delia’s here today to say hello and get familiar with the team.”
“She’s still young, and…
hasn’t been very involved with day-to-day operations…”
“Edward.” Delia cut him off without moving her head.
“I think you’ve misunderstood a few things.”
She took a breath and continued: “First, this is a board meeting.
Second, I’m not here to ‘get familiar’-I’m here to take responsibility.
Third, Fleming Group is mine.
You don’t get to make decisions for me.”
Edward’s face turned beet red, his chest heaving.
He slammed the table.
“Delia, what kind of attitude is that?
I’m your uncle!”
“So what?” Delia snorted, like she’d heard a bad joke.
“Edward, you’ve been scheming to bleed dry the company my father built-how dare you even say you’re family?”