Chapter 337

With her decision made to leave Country Y, Tricia took her time to visit a beauty parlor.
Though it hadn’t been in her plans to leave this early. She didn’t want to return to the Watts Group and resume taking orders from the illegitimate son of the Watts family, who now sat at the helm, thanks to Davis Allen’s meddling.
But now, the situation here might not work in her favor. With the hotel manager already calling for help, it wouldn’t be long before Davis Allen came knocking at her door. It is clear, the situation had tilted dangerously against her.
If she left, she could still claim her visit was business-related…possibly throw in a few buzzwords, spin a tale, and return without damage to her image.
Fate might even work in her favor that she could blame the enemy or rival companies but most importantly, she would detach herself from Sonia.
Pulling into Sonia’s parking lot, she turned off the engine, reached for the door in readiness to alight but just then, her phone buzzed.
Digging into her bag, she retrieved the device, her heart dropping as she saw the name on the screen.
Grandfather.
She froze.
Her blood ran cold. He rarely called except when absolutely necessary. She knew this was one of those moments. She couldn’t ignore the call or it’s was bound to come again and again.
She stared at the screen for a few seconds longer before answering, drawing in a slow, calming breath.
“Grandpa,” she greeted, struggling to keep her voice calm and composed.
“Tricia,” came the reply. Old Man Watts’ voice was quiet, measured. Too calm. The kind of calm that sent a chill down her spine. “Where are you?”
“Just… on a short trip. I’ll be back tomorrow,” she said smoothly.
A pause. And when she was expecting him to say more…
Click.
The line went dead.
Tricia stared at the phone, totally unnerved as she thought of the implications “No goodbye? No instruction? Not even a reprimand? That was unlike him.” She mused.
“Odd,” she murmured to herself. But after a beat, she shook her head and stepped out of the car.
Sonia’s apartment was empty when she entered. The calm in the space contrasted sharply with the storm swirling in Tricia’s chest.
She didn’t bother calling out to check on Sonia, she already knew Sonia was gone. There was a meeting with her father she couldn’t miss.
Holding a position in her father’s company while running her own had always made her schedule tight.
It suited Tricia just fine.
Tricia gave the house a quick glance.
She quickly began gathering her things. Clothes, documents, accessories and in a short time all were neatly packed.
Beads of sweat formed along her hairline. She retreated to the bathroom for a cold rinse, then changed into jeans and a top. Chosing comfort over style.
By the time she returned to the living room, she had her phone in hand, eyes scanning through the available flights. She booked the earliest one scheduled 5:00 a.m., just a few hours away.
She exhaled heavily once the confirmation came in. Done.
She closed her eyes briefly, a wave of relief washing over her, though a nagging unease tugged at her heart.
She went into the kitchen and returned with a glass of juice just as her phone lit up with a notification.
Taking a sip, she picked up the phone with her left hand and swiped across the screen.
“A mail from the company?” she murmured.
Halfheartedly, she opened it.
Her eyes moved across the screen as she read the contents, she froze.
The glass slipped from her hand, crashing to the floor. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the phone tighter. Her chest rose and fell with shaky breaths. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Her voice came out in a whisper—low, broken. “No… Impossible
The front door creaked open. Sonia entered, halting mid-step when she saw Tricia frozen in place, pale and visibly shaken, glass shards glinting beneath her feet.
“Tricia?” Sonia stepped forward, alarmed. “What’s wrong?”
Tricia didn’t respond. She looked lost and disoriented.
“Are you okay?”Sonia reached out, gently touching her forehead. Cool. No fever.
She gently retrieved the phone, and just as she was about to unlock it, she noticed the open mail on the screen.
She read it in silence. Her brows furrowed, then shot up.
“Tricia… is this real?” she asked, glancing up. “You’ve been removed from the board? Completely stripped of your position?”
The words hit like a slap. Tricia didn’t answer but her eyes were still burning with silent rage. She didn’t need to be told who was behind it.
At that instant, she concluded it was the work of her illegitimate brother; the worthless heir of the Watts Group.
“That spineless little fool She muttered.
Her fists clenched, her eyes narrowed.
She decided to bring her trip forward. She would leave for Noveira immediately. But as she turned to tell Sonia, Sonia’s phone rang.
They exchanged glances. Sonia pulled out her phone and answered.
“Miss Sonia?” a male voice said over the speaker.
“Yes?” she responded.
“This is from Angels Wear Group. After review, the board has decided you may proceed with your partnership proposal.”
Sonia blinked. “I… I can come now?”
“Yes. Come to the main office with the full proposal. You’ll be received.”
The voice was flat, businesslike yet but Sonia barely noticed.
“Thank you!” she exclaimed as the line disconnected.
She turned to Tricia, eyes sparkling. “They accepted! They want the proposal!”
She wrapped her arms around Tricia in a hug but Tricia stood like a statue, her jaw tight, fists clenched, her fury evident.
With a faint, forced smile, she muttered, “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, thank you!” Sonia beamed, missing the icy look in Tricia’s eyes. The partnership deal was hers now and that was all that mattered.
Recalling how cold Richard had been, Sonia felt the stress had finally worth it.
Excited, she opened her social media app and a few swipes later, she posted:
#Dreams come true
#AngelsWear
#NewBeginnings
While she was busy on her phone basking in the attention, Tricia took a deep breath and turned toward the hallway. She had to leave. Now.
But Sonia’s voice stopped her.
“So… the board. Your position. What will you do now?” She asked with genuine concern.
Tricia halted, turning back slowly.
“What do you think I can do?” Tricia replied, her voice chilling and distant.
At least, you’ve succeeded with your plans. Congratulations.”
“I’m leaving for Noveria tomorrow.”
Sonia blinked, surprised. “Tomorrow? You sure you shouldn’t go now? Meet your grandfather, explain yourself. Waiting might only make things worse.”
Tricia stared at her. The way Sonia said it felt… pointed. It felt like a push out the door with the mandate to do so quickly.
Still, Tricia nodded. “I’ve already booked my flight.”
“Need help rescheduling?”
“No. I’ll reschedule it now myself.”
Tricia pulled out her phone, navigated to her airline app, and tapped to modify her flight.
Then her face changed.
Her hands froze.
A warning flashed across her screen:
“Transaction failed. Your card has been frozen. Please contact your bank.”
“What the she whispered.
Sonia watched her, puzzled. Tricia tried again but the same message popped up. Again. And again.
Her breathing quickened.
Sonia leaned in. “Tricia? What’s wrong?”
Tricia lowered her phone slowly, her eyes blank, lips trembling.
“My… my cards… they’re all frozen.”
Silence fell between them.
Sonia took a step back.
For the first time…Tricia Watts looked cornered.
And utterly powerless.