Chapter 15: My Daughter
The board of directors and shareholders were all on their best behaviour during the introduction, thanks to the effective strategy employed by Mr. Singers.
As soon as the introduction concluded, Mr. Singers departed with Andrea, leaving the boardroom behind.
Once Mr. Singers and Andrea had left, the expressions of the board of directors and shareholders changed drastically. Their smiles disappeared, replaced by looks of anger as they engaged in intense discussions.
Even after they had exited the boardroom, Andrea remained in a daze. Everything was happening too quickly, and she struggled to comprehend how she had suddenly been named as the successor of the Singers Group.
Gazing at Mr. Singers, she gathered the courage to ask him the burning question that troubled her: "Why are you being so kind to me? Can you please tell me the truth?"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she grappled with the overwhelming realization that someone outside of her family could show her such kindness. Did she have a long-lost brother she was unaware of?
Mr. Singers took his time, gently brushing away the tears that trickled down Andrea's face. His gaze was filled with deep love as he spoke each word slowly, "I can't tell you now. I fear that you may come to despise me. Please, do not worry. The time will come when I will reveal everything to you."
Andrea, captivated by Mr. Singers' words, gazed at him in bewilderment. She couldn't comprehend why he was concealing their relationship from her. Why would she feel animosity towards him if he disclosed the truth?
"Are you my father?" Andrea inquired, her brow furrowed with curiosity.
Mr. Singers responded with a gentle smile, evading her question, "I will disclose my identity to you in due time."
Taking her hand, he guided her towards his office, the grandest one within the Singers Group company. The room was adorned with a bookshelf in one corner, a notice board, a sleek desk, and the atmosphere was filled with freshness from the flowers adorning the space. Adjacent to the main office area was a private room door.
Andrea, despite working for the prestigious Wilson Group, had never encountered an office as beautifully decorated as Mr. Singers' office. What caught her eye, however, was a baby frame hanging on the wall.
As her gaze lingered on the enlarged photograph, Mr. Singers spoke softly, "That's a picture of my daughter. Whenever I'm having a rough day or need inspiration, I look at it, and everything seems to fall into place."
Without a word, Andrea continued to study the photo, finding it strangely familiar yet unable to place it. She remembered the time they were evicted from their home when she was just four years old, her mother unable to take any belongings with them.
After finally repaying the loan, their possessions were gone, including any pictures of her father or from her childhood.
"Please, have a seat. I'll get you some water," Mr. Singers said, mindful of Andrea's pregnancy.
Andrea withdrew her gaze from the framed photo and fixed a piercing stare on Mr. Singers, but ultimately chose not to voice the question burning in her mind. She settled into a chair and accepted the glass of water offered by Mr. Singers.
As she sipped the water, the office door swung open, and Agatha entered. Catching sight of Andrea seated in the office, she froze in astonishment.
"What's wrong?" Mr. Singers inquired, his tone tinged with impatience.
Agatha shook off her shock and responded in a composed manner, her face betraying no emotion. "Mr. Singers, today marks the Arnold bouquet event. I've brought a reminder letter from the Arnold family."
Advancing, Agatha placed the letter on the table, but Mr. Singers remained fixated on Andrea, not sparing a glance at the reminder.
Agatha seethed with anger at this display, rooted to the spot as she glared hatefully at Andrea.
"Is there anything else?" Mr. Singers inquired with curiosity as he turned to Agatha.
"No," Agatha replied before stepping backward and leaving the office.
Mr. Singers then turned to Andrea with a smile and asked, "Honey, will you accompany me as my plus one?"
Andrea felt a wave of tension wash over her. It was evident that she was unwelcome in Sunshine City, having become a public enemy for her association with Mr. Singers.
"I'm afraid I can't go," Andrea responded, her voice betraying her reluctance.
"What a shame. In that case, I won't attend either," Mr. Singers remarked.
Andrea looked up, her eyes widening in surprise. With a sense of panic, she insisted, "You must go, it's crucial for your work, very important."
Having worked with the Wilson Group, Andrea understood the significance of attending dinner parties and events hosted by influential and prestigious personalities.
"In that case, come along with me," Mr. Singers suggested, his smile widening.
Andrea hesitated, her lips pursed tightly, but a smile flickered in her eyes as she nodded in agreement.
After a brief rest in the office, Mr. Singers escorted Andrea to a renowned designer in Sunshine City. With a casual air and legs crossed, he patiently waited for Andrea to be prepared for the bouquet.
Once she was ready, the duo made their way to the Sky Hotel, the most prestigious hotel in Sunshine City. Upon arrival, a red carpet had already been rolled out, and Mr. Singers escorted Andrea out of the vehicle.
"Singers, where is Agatha?" a man approached with a smile the moment he spotted Mr. Singers.
"Sylvester, this is my wife, Andrea," Mr. Singers introduced with a smile.
Sylvester paid little attention to Andrea, instead focusing his gaze on the car from which Mr. Singers had emerged.
Sylvester, unafraid of Mr. Singers' wrath in Sunshine City, has arrived to challenge him. He remembers Agatha well, as he has experienced losses at the hands of both Mr. Singers and Agatha, events that have deeply affected him.
"If you no longer value Agatha, why not entrust her to me? You are unworthy of her," Sylvester remarked, shaking his head. He believed that Mr. Singers had an affair with Agatha, his chief of staff, before abandoning her for another woman, a woman worse than Agatha.