Chapter 13: Fear and Shadow

Mr. Singers turned around with a twisted grin that barely passed for a smile, his piercing gaze landing on a man in his early seventies. Despite his snow-white hair, the lines etched on his face seemed to defy his age, and he moved with a vigour that belied any need for assistance.

Trailing behind him were two loyal aides.

His name was Gibson. Prior to Mr. Singers' journey to Vegas, he had attempted to secure an alliance through marriage by introducing his most enchanting granddaughter to Mr. Singers. However, his proposal had been summarily rejected.

"Apologize," Mr. Singers commanded icily, his usually stoic visage now clouded with darkness.

Mr. Gibson stared back at Mr. Singers in disbelief. Despite their years of collaboration, this was the first time Mr. Singers had regarded him with such disdain. And all because of a woman — a woman whose appearance he found incredulous.

"Why should I apologize?" Mr. Gibson retorted through gritted teeth, refusing to bow his head so that Mr. Singers could curry favour with an ugly woman.

"I am terminating our two billion dollar supply agreement and will also establish numerous supermarkets across the country, including beside yours. Furthermore, I am prepared to allocate ten billion dollars to acquire Hark & Shark Corporation," Mr. Singers declared with a neutral expression, devoid of any hint of threat.

Mr. Gibson's posture stiffened; he knew Mr. Singers always followed through on his statements. He vividly remembered a past incident where Mr. Singers had made a similar declaration to a prominent family in Sunshine City, and within two days, that family had crumbled.

"You are truly resolute. I apologize," Mr. Gibson conceded, swallowing his pride. He glanced at Andrea with a mix of anger and defeat before uttering, "I'm sorry," and promptly left, his face flushed with frustration and devoid of joy.

Andrea gazed at Mr. Singers in astonishment, struggling to comprehend his words. She was incredulous that Mr. Singers was willing to endure billions in losses for her sake.

"I spared him because you will need his help in the future," Mr. Singers responded anxiously, sensing Andrea's discontent with his decision.

Upon hearing his words, Andrea snapped out of her reverie and hurriedly interjected, "No, not that. I..." She paused, her lips tightly pursed, unable to articulate her thoughts.

Locking eyes with her, Mr. Singers understood what she was trying to convey. "Andrea, your worth is not defined by your appearance. Those who fail to see your beauty are blind, and those who overlook your value are foolish. Do not let the opinions of the blind and foolish affect you."

Tears welled up in Andrea's eyes. Since gaining weight unexpectedly, no one had spoken to her with such kindness. Her ex-husband Valentine and his family had treated her with disdain, leading to her spiralling into depression and losing her self-esteem.

"Thank you," she whispered tearfully.

Mr. Singers gently wiped away the tears on her face with his handkerchief, whispering, "Please don't cry, let's not spoil your lovely face. Let's go inside."

Taking her hand, they strolled into the bustling shopping mall. Mr. Singers guided her from store to store, picking out or helping her choose outfits, all of which bore prestigious brands and hefty price tags.

He gallantly carried the bags of clothes as they approached the checkout counter, where the cashier was taken aback by their presence.

"Hello, miss. You've found yourself a good man. I wish I could be as fortunate as you," the cashier remarked sincerely, beaming at them.

Andrea blushed and smiled modestly, while Mr. Singers draped his arm around her shoulder, declaring, "She deserves the world because she is the most extraordinary woman."

The cashier grinned back and efficiently processed their purchases, handing over the bags as they left the mall together.

As they journeyed back, Andrea gazed out of the car window only to realize they were veering away from his villa. She turned to Mr. Singers with a puzzled expression and inquired, "Where are we headed?"

"It's a surprise," Mr. Singers replied with a mysterious smile.

Intrigued by his cryptic behaviour, Andrea tried to press for more information but eventually gave up when she received no further clues.

Upon reaching their destination, Andrea emerged from the vehicle to find herself standing before a towering office building that loomed over her, instilling a sense of inferiority and nervousness within her.

The headquarters of the renowned Singers Group, a leading conglomerate in the country, was a testament to its power and status. The imposing structure was designed to showcase the group's prominence and influence in the nation.

Despite the absence of visible security personnel, the sheer grandeur of the building was enough to dissuade any potential troublemakers. The Singers Group had a reputation for maintaining impeccable security standards, having never experienced any breaches or incidents of concern.

Mr. Singers gently held Andrea's arms, his eyes brimming with affection as he whispered, "This will be yours in the future."

Andrea was taken aback, her eyes widening in disbelief. She felt as though she must be dreaming, but a sharp pinch confirmed the reality of the moment. "No," she protested, recoiling from his words.

Memories of past promises flooded her mind - promises of everlasting joy and a loving home from Valentine that had crumbled into heartache. The fear of being deceived once again gripped her as she took a step back, a desperate urge to flee rising within her.

Before she could escape, Mr. Singers swiftly reached out, enveloping her in a tight embrace. "Don't be afraid. You are my family, my only family. This is meant for you, and for your children," he reassured her, his hand gently patting her back.

Overwhelmed by his words, Andrea's defences crumbled, tears streaming down her face as she wept in Mr. Singers' comforting embrace.

After regaining control of her emotions, Mrs. Singers took his time to guide Andrea through all the buildings in the Singers Group. The headquarters of the Singers Group was so vast that it wasn't until the entire afternoon had passed that they finished the tour.

As Mr. Singers escorted Andrea to his office, one of his secretaries approached and informed him, "Mr. Singers, the board of directors and shareholders have requested your presence for an urgent meeting."