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From Riches to Rags and Back Again

"I'm done holding back. I've given karma its chance. Now, it's my turn." Adelina once had everything she could have dreamed of. Friends, popularity, riches, and a happy family. However due to her trusting nature all of that was ripped away from her. Betrayal seeped from those she once held dear and her life was turned upside down. Now years later, Adelina struggles to take care of her siblings and sick mother. Working tirelessly from paycheck to paycheck just to make sure her family is taken care of. When an unexpected contract finds its way into her hands during one of her most desperate times, Adelina is forced to make a choice. Struggle to save her family or marry the cold and intimidating CEO and give him a legitimate heir. Adelina will do whatever it takes to protect her family and maybe with the help of this contract she can begin to finally take her revenge. With enemies plotting at every turn, will Adelina be able to survive these next few years?

Lulubelle85 · Urban
Not enough ratings
19 Chs

A Step Backwards

"Finally done!" Harrison rejoiced, stacking up the list he had compiled for possible wife candidates on top of the contract he had finished for the secretary position.

Harrison stretched his arms as he tried to relieve his muscles from the knots that had formed from sitting at his desk too long.

He glanced at the time, he had ended up working through lunch to get everything finished. He agonized over the loss of his lunch hour, but the relief of getting his daily duties done outshined the loss of a meal.

"I better get this to the boss before the new secretary gets here!" He chirped as he stood and made his way to the CEO's office.

Harrison knocked lightly and let himself in.

Silas was absorbed in thought as he sat and stared at a report that he couldn't quite focus on. He had been upset over Vivian's heartbreak and worried about signing the contract.

Everything was going according to plan, but there were still many outliers in play that he couldn't quite account for.

He hated not being in complete control of the situation.

He was deep in his mind and didn't notice his assistant enter the room until he plopped a stack of documents on his desk.

"I have everything you requested Sir!" Harrison beamed as he picked up the secretary contract.

"Your appointment is in a few minutes, I have prepared the contract and it is ready to sign." He passed the contract to Silas.

Silas peered over the contract and his eyes froze.

He had believed Harrison would have been better after a day of rest, but apparently he was too far gone to be saved.

This was not the marriage contract but the contract for the secretary to the CEO.

He glanced with pity and confusion at his assistant.

"Harrison. Where is the marriage contract I requested?" Silas thundered.

Harrison went white as a ghost.

He had not finished it but the boss hadn't even picked a wife yet!

He sweated as he pulled out the packet of wife candidates.

"I don't have it at the moment sir, I'm still working out the details and countering loopholes but I did finish preparing the list of candidates for your wife!" The short man offered with a terrified smile.

Harrison quickly flipped to a page that displayed a pretty black haired woman.

"I believe she is the best candidate in order to fit the characteristics you requested. But I believe you should have a few meetings with the others. It may be a bit difficult for them to agree to a marriage contract and we need to weed them out." Harrison explained, oblivious to the massive drop in temperature.

Silas glared coldly at his assistant.

Was he joking around?

This was a serious matter.

He had his wife candidate coming today to sign the contract and his assistant was playing games.

"The best candidate?" Silas mocked fiercely.

Harrison looked up and froze. Somehow he had put his boss over the edge with rage.

Harrison shuffled slightly.

"Ah yes. The best candidate. I researched them well. Any one of these women would make a fantastic candidate for your wife and mother of your heir." He stammered nervously.

The Adonis furrowed his eyebrows.

Maybe the short man had suffered from a brain injury?

"Harrison. Do you need to go to the hospital?" Silas deadpanned.

Harrison froze.

Was that a threat?

Harrison shivered.

"No Sir. Why do you ask?" Harrison replied nervously, backing away from the terrifying man slowly.

Silas appraised his assistant.

"Did you by chance hit your head?" Silas investigated further.

Harrison furrowed his brows in confusion.

"No Sir?" Harrison answered.

Silas looked at him coldly.

"Then pray tell me why you are bringing me a list of wife candidates now." Silas growled.

Harrison couldn't understand what his boss meant.

Was he upset that it took him so long?

His boss had told him to compile a list and he did. Had he changed his mind and not wanted a list of candidates?

Was he supposed to weed it down to one?

"Umm I apologize it took me so long to get the list together sir. If you want I can reevaluate it and weed it down to one or two if you'd like?" Harrison suggested reaching to take the packet from the desk.

He glanced up at his boss to see if this would appease him but froze under the cold glare.

Silas stayed silent for a moment before letting out a cold humorless laugh.

"Harrison. What I meant was why on Earth you wouldn't have the marriage contract ready for this afternoon. And why you would be bringing me a list of candidates when you yourself already have given me, in your words, 'the best candidate'. Why are you bringing up this topic minutes before I am supposed to sign the contract with my future wife?" Silas boomed, his eyes flaming with rage.

Harrison felt his heart stop.

Future wife?

What did he mean by signing this afternoon?

He only had an appointment with one woman today and she was here for the secretary position.

Harrison felt the breath leave his lungs in a silent gasp as realization set in.

Oh no.

Harrison flipped through his memories. He remembered leaving a pile of marriage contract materials on the desk before Madam Night brought in the application for the secretary position.

Harrison racked his mind. He had written a note in his tired state to put on the application. Had he ever edited it to mention that she was the best candidate for the secretary position?

Harrison gulped.

That's right. He was called away before he could edit the note.

So he had ended up leaving a pile of marriage contract materials and an application for a woman with a note that she was the best candidate.

Harrison dropped his jaw in shock as he realized the magnitude of his boss' misunderstanding.

Harrison had dug a grave 6 feet deep.

"Sir. Just to clarify, your intention with the meeting this afternoon is to sign the contract for marriage?" Harrison asked to make sure he was understanding the situation.

Silas growled.

"What else would I be doing?" Silas roared, clearly irritated at such a stupid question.

Harrison gulped and felt the blood drain from his face.

He briefly considered just leaving his boss alone and let him try to convince the girl to sign the contract this afternoon. If things go bad Harrison could just move to another city, and change his name.

He quickly threw the thought to the wind. He would be dead in seconds if the situation took a turn for the worse. On top of the fact that the marriage contract was supposed to remain confidential. An outsider finding out about it could be terrible for Silas and Night Corp.

Harrison took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

"Sir. I believe there has been a misunderstanding." Harrison began nervously.

Silas glared at his assistant.

"I'm glad you've noticed. Now hurry up and prepare the contract before Miss Hart gets here." Silas scowled.

Harrison shuffled.

"Ah. Actually Sir. It is you who have misunderstood." Harrison mumbled.

The temperature dropped to zero.

"Just what are you implying by that statement? You've grown bold if you think I'll let you go unscathed after that comment." Silas glowered.

Harrison felt a knot of anxiety form in his stomach and frantically shook his head.

"No Sir. You see Miss Hart isn't here to be a wife candidate. She is here for the secretary position! There was a misunderstanding. Madam Night brought the papers up while I was leaving documents for the marriage contract. I left a note and was going to edit it to make it clear but I was called to-" Harrison blurted his explanation in order to placate his boss.

"She's not here for the marriage contract?" Silas interrupted, shock clear on his face.

Harrison nodded meekly.

Silas had grown quiet.

Time had slowed down for him as Harrison continued to ramble.

She wasn't here for the marriage contract.

But to be his secretary?

Silas paled as he recalled the questions he had asked her yesterday.

He had asked if she was a virgin.

He placed his hands in front of his face in shame.

No wonder she had been so frazzled by his line of questions.

It was a miracle she hadn't reported him for harassment.

Silas was in shock.

Now what was he supposed to do? He had planned on having the contract finalized today. His plan had taken a step backwards.

He had made a fool out of himself and now he had to atone for his mistakes.

He glared at his rambling assistant.

And the mistakes of his assistant.

Harrison had finished his explanation and was waiting on pins and needles for his boss to speak.

Harrison's glorious and happy day had turned damp and dreary in sixty seconds flat.

Silas remained silent as he considered his options.

He could continue with the plan and try to have Adelina sign the contract.

Silas frowned as he thought of the possible consequences.

She could go to the paparazzi. Or press harassment charges. Or possibly exploit the situation.

Silas shook his head.

He could just tell her to leave. He didn't particularly want to confront her after his realization of the questions he had asked yesterday.

However, some part of him didn't want to send her away.

She was in all aspects still the perfect candidate in his eyes.

He clenched his jaw in thought.

Perhaps he could keep her on the bench for the time being in case the other candidates didn't line up with his expectations.

"Sir?" Harrison hesitantly broke Silas' train of thought.

Silas glanced up with his icy eyes.

Harrison averted his gaze towards the ground in fear.

A knock resounded at the large door as the face of Sara peeked in.

"Adelina Hart is here to see you Sir!" Sara chirped from the doorway.

Silas waved her away with a hard look and Sara quickly shut the doors.

Harrison panicked.

Adelina had not been properly screened for a position in the company, but for the position of the CEO's wife.

"What shall we do Sir? Madam Night really wanted this girl to be considered for the position, but shall I send her away? Or reschedule? Or perhaps I could lie that the position has been filled already?" Harrison stammered, wringing his hands nervously.

Silas frowned.

"That old woman is supporting that girl?" Silas questioned adamantly.

Harrison nodded in affirmation.

Silas was astounded.

His grandmother hardly ever took favor towards anyone.

If Adelina had gotten the support of that old bat, she must be truly remarkable.

He sighed.

It would be perfect if she was the wife candidate. It would be much easier to make a marriage seem legitimate if the old woman liked her.

Adelina was truly the perfect candidate.

He furrowed his brows in contemplation before he threw a cold smile at his assistant.

"Give her the position as secretary." Silas ordered.

Harrison gaped.

"Sir are you sure? She wasn't properly screened for the position and it is quite a hasty decision considering you only just found out what she is actually here for. It would be good to not anger the Madam but is she the right person?" Harrison worried.

Harrison didn't want another secretary like the last one they hired. He couldn't handle fixing another person's mistakes.

Silas shot him a silencing glare.

"Don't question my decision. Give her the position and sign the contract. She starts next week." Silas commanded.

"But Sir. Her qualifications-" Harrison began.

"I expect you to take full responsibility for her. Make sure to teach her well." Silas boomed giving a vengeful glare towards Harrison.

Harrison shuddered.

He quickly nodded and exited the room.

Silas lit up a cigarette, letting the smoke wisp around him.

"What to do now." He pondered with calculating eyes.

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