Woman of Wealth

Woman of Wealth

 Secrets are sometimes

words of love.

~.~♥︎˙

In the affluent city of Mariwasa, the infamous capital of Lualhati, perhaps one of the most reputable groups in high society was the Herman Family of Companies. Some may say this is because of its notorious business operations that despite the clean slate is actually deeply involved with the dealings of the underworld. However, those who have witnessed it in its early days will definitely say it is because of the terrifying business acumen and collaborative efforts of its first generation.

Perez Herman, HC's credited founder, was an entrepreneur who along with his wife and sisters was able to establish the foundation of HC through Herbings, HC's very first company, from scratch. Although the establishment of Herbings was spontaneous, it quickly made its name in the market and became a rival company worthy of big groups' attention. 

Herbings growth was rapid and grand and along with this development was countless challenges for other competitors in the market. Power struggles, rumors, deaths, crimes, and losses—there was no shortage of shady business broadcasted on television and written on the news company after company. All the while Herbings steadily grew on the sidelines, the main reason why some thought that the underworld was involved.

However, after a while, this association died down and Mariwasa, after consecutive news of failures and controversies, begrudgingly welcomed a new powerful figure in the scene.

On the top floor of a silver gray building, the lights were turned off. However, inside the conference room, there was a person sitting at the head of the table, tapping their fingers on the rosewood table.

In front of them was a projected white screen, images moving steadily in the panel, while her gaze looked steadily at them.

Suddenly, the door to the conference room opened. A handsome man wearing a white dress shirt with loose necktie smoothly closed the door but did not approach the woman.

"Ms. Herman." 

The woman whose face was covered in the shadows made no moves, the images in the panel continued to flash on the screen. The man also stood still in his position.

For a while, silence reigned inside the room, not even breathing or clicking could be heard. However, looking closely, there was a suffocating air of oppression and confrontation.

It was then when Giavenna Herman clicked the close bar of the images projected on the screen when the stalemate in the air loosened for a bit. The room was plunged into darkness, with only the lights in the cityscape serving as the illumination for the people inside the room.

"Did she get home safe?"

The man replied, "Yes, Chairman."

The woman smiled in the dark and touched the scattered papers on the table.

"Elijah."

"Yes, Ms. Herman"

"Did she get to speak to the doctor?"

Elijah solemnly looked up from the ground and to the woman's figure in the dark.

"Yes, Ms. Herman. She was able to strike a deal with—"

"You approached the doctor."

Giavenna stopped him and decisively said. She stood and slowly approached the bodyguard, "You saw that she was having a hard time dealing with those old men and took it upon yourself to push forward her proposal to Mr. Louvremont's desk."

The woman's tone was slowed and elegant with a slight hint of amusement. However, Elijah felt the bits of concealed emotion and ruthlessness in every syllable.

"You got her the deal, something Mireille should have gotten by herself." 

Elijah slowly bowed his head, his clenched fist was hidden in his back, "Ms. Herman, please pardon my hasty decision but the situation at hand was becoming grave at the time. The old man slipped something into Ms. Lorenzo's drink and she had been experiencing his advances for almost the whole day."

He firmly raised his eyes, "I assisted Ms. Lorenzo because I believed that that is what you wanted when you instructed me to not let anything happen to her."

Giavenna maintained eye contact with the bodyguard in the dark.

She also maintained a calm silence before she smiled and spoke deeply and slowly, "Do you think I'm being unfair to the woman I love, Fuentes?"

Elijah was slightly surprised at Giavenna's question. He unclenched his fists but remained looking directly at the woman.

He did not answer for a while but did so, "No, Ms. Herman."

Giavenna smiled and approached Marco closer and lightly grabbed his tie stained with wine. She maintained an indiscernible smile. All of a sudden, it was as if the world got darker and she tightened her grip.

Giavenna lost her smile and her gaze became sharper, digging into just like her nails.

"Then, didn't I tell you not to fall in love with her?"

The man was choked for a few minutes but did not struggle. He maintained his silence and let the woman strangle him, as if acquiescing

 After a while, Giavenna broke her grip and let out a sigh. She wiped her hand with a handkerchief.

She then looked towards the cityscape before saying something, "You know what to do."

Marco adjusted himself and complied with the instructions, "I will arrange for a new bodyguard for Ms. Lorenzo."

"No need." 

"I will be with her myself."

The former bodyguard was shocked again but soon followed, "I will do as you say, Ms. Herman." He then left.

The wealthy woman, however, was not seen leaving the building for the whole night.