CHAPTER NINE ~ THE CONTRACT

Amanda Sterling stared out the wide French window of her penthouse suite that overlooked the busiest part of the city. The rhythm thud of rain hitting the glass was a soothing welcome as she closed her eyes to savor the moment, twirling a champagne glass in her hand as she brought the glass to her lips. Sometimes she wished the world was this peaceful, but with everything her step-siblings put her through, she knew the world couldn't and wouldn't ever be peaceful if you were not violent enough to fight for what was yours.

Taking the glass in hand, she moved towards the sofa and sat putting her legs on top of the coffee table. Today was many nights she got to enjoy her solace, thinking of the past never did her any good and she wasn't about to do that.

One of her sources had informed her that James was struggling to keep the company afloat. He had just lost out on an important deal with a Russian trading company that would have helped the company go global, he was hoping to secure another deal before his shareholders got a whim of it.

To someone who had just lost a cookie, dangling chocolate in front of them was like Santa offering a Christmas gift and that's exactly what she had done.

Sterling Global was currently one of the leading tech companies in the world, and with the personalized AI assistance they had just modeled, a technology she had invented to help in the healthcare sector, could also be used anywhere. It was an AI technology that could help do the most minimal things like texting, booking appointments, monitoring vital signs through wearable devices, etc.

Companies lined up to collaborate with them but now they had to choose who they wanted to work with. Using her sources, she had reached out to Whitmore Enterprise to offer a deal which they had eagerly accepted.

Knowing James, Amanda was very sure he was celebrating the success he thought was coming his way. Desperation was the mother of impulse, she was very sure he hadn't bothered to question why the deal had come in at such a time.

Taking a sip of her wine, Amanda smirked; she was going to use his desperation against him.

'Karma's almost at your doorstep' she thought smirking

They wouldn't even see her coming she thought sweetly. Once upon a time, they had caused her pain; now she would be the one to cause them pain one after the other.

Her phone beeped with a notification, Amanda sighed at a text from Andy, asking her when she would drop by the martial arts school. He never failed to disturb her she thought. Ever since she met him three years ago through Williams, he had been a pain in her ass; since she had been able to master the highest level of master arts quickly, he had been talking about her taking over when he was old and feeble. Sometimes she wondered why he thought she was the best person to take over when he had other brilliant pupils. He just liked to stress her that was it.

Picking up her phone, she sent him a reply. It read 'Not anytime soon old man, I'm busy'. She could already imagine the frown that would graze his face when he got her reply.

 *****&&&&&&*****

"Nice to meet your acquaintance," James Whitmore, the oldest of the Whitmore siblings and present CEO of Whitmore enterprise said, as he shook hands with the dark-haired woman who was going to be their savior. Her green-blue eyes seemed so familiar but he was sure they had never met before; he would remember if they had.

Her tall intelligent physique made it hard not to remember her. She was dressed in a black suit with white beading and too high heels that on any other person might have looked bad but she pulled it off perfectly.

"Likewise" she replied stretching her hands for a handshake. Her nails were painted a deep crimson reminding him of the color of blood flowing and her lips were stained with the same color.

The technology was their newest invention, though she had produced it with a different name, she had decided to market it under sterling global so no one would know who truly invented it.

"We are so grateful to have Sterling Global willing to work with us, Miss Sterling," James said smirking sweetly. This deal had come at the best time possible; he hadn't believed it when his assistant had told him that Sterling had reached out to work with them. As one of the leading tech companies in the world especially with the invention of their new technology, they were widely sought after, many export companies had indicated interest to work with them but they had chosen to work with Whitmore instead. James was overcome by pride.

They were currently at the conference room of Whitmore Enterprise to go over the contract before signing. Amanda couldn't believe she was inside the Whitmore enterprise again. The place brought so much memory, memories she would have loved to remain tucked in the dark part of her brain, but she had to see it again to remember what they had taken from her. This place was hers and she would get it back no matter what. She wasn't going to let the legacy go to waste in James's incompetent hands.

"Call me Amanda," Amanda said sweetly. "Can I call you James? "

"Of course," he said without hesitation. "We would be working closely together so it's only normal we address each other by our first names"

Amanda agreed.

He hadn't aged one bit, she thought, he must have been living so well while she had fought to keep her sanity. She still had nightmares from that night, it never left her, and the nightmares were like a constant reminder to never forget.

After his lawyers had gone through the contracts, James signed, sealing the deal. They shook hands once more as they parted ways.

Williams had texted he was in town and was staying at the Mont&co hotel which belonged to the wealthiest family, the Montgomery. Peter Montgomery had been his friend and business partner for the longest time, he had been the reason Williams had been in New York three years ago.

The entrance to Mont&co was nothing short of breathtaking, A grand porte-cochere extended from the building, providing shelter to arriving guests as they stepped out of their vehicles. Polished marble steps lead up to a pair of massive, intricately carved wooden doors, each adorned with gleaming brass handles. Above the entrance, a shimmering crystal chandelier hung, casting a warm and inviting glow.

Amanda made her way into the lobby; the high ceilings were adorned with intricate moldings and more chandeliers, their light reflecting off the polished marble floors. Richly upholstered seating areas provided comfortable spots for guests to relax, while fresh floral arrangements added splashes of color and fragrance to the space.

The receptionist immediately pointed her towards the private VIP restaurant Williams had told her to meet him in. The golden door stood strong and imposing and a tall broad-shouldered man stood outside, which made Amanda do a double take, she couldn't imagine what would be so important enough that would warrant a bodyguard to stand outside.

Had William gotten a bodyguard? She thought

He didn't try to stop her as she pulled the door open. Like the parts of the hotel, this was soundproofed, the floors were covered in the softer rug that felt like your leg was sinking into it, and in the center was a circular table with four chairs for a guest of four; Chairs which were currently occupied except one.

Williams stood up, a smile on his handsome face as soon as she got in. "Amanda" he exclaimed pulling her into a hug. "I missed you my darling"

Amanda leaned into his hug, "you saw me a few weeks ago" she said laughing into his shoulders.

"Still far too long"

When they pulled apart, he turned to introduce her to the other members of the table.

 Peter Montgomery greeted her with a warm smile she returned while Justin Montgomery merely looked like he had better things to do than be there, his face gave up nothing.

"It's good to finally meet you, Amanda, Williams has told me so much about you," Peter Montgomery said

"Good things I hope" Amanda smiled reassuringly giving William a look that made him smile fondly and pat her head.

Justin stared at the woman he had met at the martial arts school; she didn't look anything like the woman he had met the other day. Today she looked so soft, almost like a damsel in distress except this damsel didn't need to be saved at all if he could remember correctly.

He hadn't known she was Uncle William's adopted daughter, the one he had adopted three years ago. He remembered his father telling him about it, and him wondering what type of spell the girl must have cast on Uncle William to make him adopt her. Now that he watched them, he could see the father and daughter bond between them.

He didn't speak a word throughout dinner except when he was outrightly called upon, most people thought it was because he was rude, but he was just not used to speaking to people at all except when it was really necessary. Speaking to people sometimes was a waste of time when his eyes could do the talking for him.

"Amanda will be taking over in my stead and working with you Justin" Justin heard William saying as he slowly turned to stare at Amanda; she didn't even look at him as she took a sip of her wine. He was still fascinated with the fact that she didn't throw herself at him like other women.

"okay," Justin replied nonchalantly.