Ava knew whatever profits they'd make would never get to her. That's if they're lucky enough to get through the first stage.
“Who is confident enough to get us a mega project with Emerald Group?” Kate asked. James laughed, “Hahaha, mum this is a very funny question” “Are you dumb? This is very important to us and you're laughing about it”. Susie replied with anger evident in her voice. “Enough!” Kate shouted furiously, her face flushed with anger, “none of you is confident about getting a mega deal with Emerald Group. I want it as my 50th birthday gift”. They exchanged nervous glances, waiting for her next announcement. “Listen to me, whoever is able to get a deal with Emerald Group will get 20% of the profit as investment for his/her little business”. Everyone's jaw dropped to the floor, they never expected such an offer. The offer was juicy but no one was confident about getting a deal with Emerald Group. Kate had always told them to source for investments from other places. According to her, the family company would go bankrupt if she gave them any money as investment. That was her way of refusing them money whenever they came to her. It was certain that she was eager for the project. The reward was very attractive but the task wasn't attractive, it was an impossible task to accomplish. She didn't state the contract's quotation yet, but she was confident a contract with Emerald Group would be worth millions of dollars. Her main concern was being on the list of Emerald Group contractors. The last time their grandmother had tried to get a mega deal with them, she didn't even see the least paid head of department. Her quest stopped at the general receptionist office. The sitting room was very quiet, if you dropped a pin on the floor, you would hear the sound of the pin hitting the ground. Kate glared at them, “Can't any of you do this for the family?” When she got to where Ethan sat, she slammed the table before her and shouted, “ Even you Ethan,an opportunity to prove you're not a loser. Will you continue to be a coward?” Kate had told her friends that her family would climb up the social pyramid before her 50th birthday. This was her only chance to avoid further insults from other families. Her dream must come to pass and she will never give up on this. Even if it meant promising them the villa to get the deal, she was ready to make the promise, anything to entice them to work hard towards getting the deal Ethan went close to Ava and whispered, “ Babe this is your mission, accept it”. Ava's face looked like she had been punched in the gut, her breath escaping in a 'whoa’ as she struggled to wrap her head around what she had just heard. “Are you crazy?” She screamed, “do you know how impossible it is to even get an audience with the executives?”. Ethan smiled lightly and said, “ you worry too much, I know you'll get the deal. I'm confident you can do this”. Ava looked at him in surprise, he spoke with so much confidence. He had confidence in her, “ are you sure about this?” He held her hands, “darling, of course. I trust you, you have everything it takes to get this deal. You're smart, seize the opportunity”. “Mum, I'll do it”. Ava couldn't understand why she agreed to do this. She was shocked at her own words. The room fell silent as Ava dropped the bombshell, everyone's face was frozen in utter disbelief. “She must be out of her mind”. Susie muttered under her breath. Still in shock, James couldn't help but mock sarcastically “Ava, heroine of the Steve family. Do you really think you can even give them something worth a deal?” “Ava, do you think this is the best time to seek limelight? You will end up humiliating this family” Susie said. Ava bent her head in shame, what was she thinking? Why did she allow Ethan's sugar-coated words to move her into saying something so reckless? She's in her current status since she married Ethan. Ignoring and ridiculing her and her husband wasn't enough for members of her family, they had sent her out of the family mansion to the boy's quarter, she lost her job as the director of Sterling Fashion. She just wanted to withdraw herself from this ridiculous idea, but getting this deal could help her get the required investment needed to build her own fashion brand. “Ava, what if you fail? Our family will be ridiculed in Nova City, are you willing to take the risk?” James asked mockingly. Ava glared at Ethan, her eyes were a slow-burning ember, blazing with unspoken resentment for him. She regrets allowing his words to get into her head. Kate was surprised that Ava had dared to accept the task. How daring of her? She was angry that her own children decided to be cowards and allow Ava to take the limelight spot. Kate decided to give Ava the needed support despite how she disliked Ava. She was disappointed in her own children. “Stop your nonsense, you decided to sit here as cowards, someone else rose up to take the impossible task and all you can do is mock her. You amaze me”. Kate said. “I was hopeful my own children will gladly take this opportunity and give me my desired birthday gift, I'm highly disappointed” She added. She walked towards Ava, took a deep breath and said quickly, “Ava, you have my full support in everything”. James was stunned,” but mum” “Don't worry mum, I'll try my best. I'll not disappoint you. Thank you for believing in me. “Ava whispered. Susie sneered coldly, “we shouldn't be worried? You've really decided to embarrass this family. Fail woefully and you'll leave the villa with that useless husband of yours forever”. James asked in a mocking tone, “ can we plan a trip to leave this city immediately? I don't think I'll be able to go out again. I'll be a laughing-stock”. “Really? We're already a laughing-stock because of you”. Ethan said. Everyone turned to Ethan. He hadn't said anything since the meeting started. “ How dare you speak up during our family meeting?” James asked. “James Steve, why do you think Ava has a low IQ like you? Do you think teasing her would make her feel worthless like you?” Ethan said mockingly. “But then what if she succeeds?” He added as he laughed. “Hahaha” James laughed out loud, “succeed? You're being delusional. I bet on my life that Ava would not succeed”. Ethan nodded with satisfaction, this was something he was waiting for, a bet. “What about a bet to that, what do you think?” Ethan asked in amusement. James jumped on the idea, “sounds nice, what's the bet, loser?” Ethan laughed at his foolishness, if only he knew what the bet would be. “Okay, if Ava succeeds, you'll go to Emerald Group and seek employment as a janitor, if you're rejected, you'll do community service for fourteen days. If she fails, I'll go to Emerald Group to seek employment as a janitor, if I'm rejected I'll do community service for fourteen days. Anyone who fails to do so, the person you love dearly will die”.James smiled, “ is that all? I feel sorry for you Ethan, are you sure you really want to do this? Alright, I'll take the bet”.“That's not all”, Ethan said as he got a sheet of paper and wrote down everything He gave it to James,” sign here”.James collected the paper, read it out to the hearing of everyone, and he signed. Ethan also signed.“Now, we have binded the bet”. Ethan knew James would want to break their promise after he might have lost with the help of his sister and mother.James smiled coyly as he scratched his head, staring at his mother who was silent throughout their bet.Kate was more concerned about the deal with Emerald Group, her reputation was at stake. If they decide to bet with their lives she doesn't care.Ava was more startled by the entire event, did Ethan plan all this before asking her to take the task? She had even signalled him to stop but he simply ignored her.When everything was settled, Kate turned to Ava and smiled, “Ava, you have just two days to a
He quickly rushed to Ethan, he slapped him on his left cheek, “you had the guts to walk in here, I'll treat you like the criminal that you are”.“You're making a huge mistake” Ethan said coldly, as he dialled Leo's number.“Hello, young master.” Leo said cheerfully, he was hoping to hear everything went well.“I'm at the bank but some dimwits are accusing me of theft, denying me access to the manager, call the manager and tell him to come out in two minutes if he still wants to keep his job” Ethan said with an air of authority as he hung up the call.“Who do you think you're calling, huh? Jasper sneered at Ethan making a call.“We'll see when he comes,” Ethan shrugged as he looked at his wristwatch.“ You're so foolish, you've been caught red-handed and you're still acting innocent” the security guard said as he raised his baton to hit Ethan.“How dare you?” A scolding voice came immediately, the security guard's hand hung in the air.“ You must be the manager, you came out on time.
Ava had sketched a few designs but none looked worthy of a contract. She drew the last one and laid down on the couch with her laptop beside her. She fell asleep, she didn't hear when Ethan walked in. From the dining table to the living room, papers were everywhere. Ethan smiled at the sight without waking her, he picked up the papers and sat close to her. He picked a few good ones. He was amazed at how she could still make beautiful designs. He studied business management and has an idea of fashion designs. This was why Ava's grandfather had ensured they got married. He believed if they worked together Sterling Fashion would go global. Looking at the designs he knew, Glam Fashion, a subsidiary of Emerald Group, would go global with a change in designs and he would make sure she gets to work with them. He looked at the designs thoroughly, he took the laptop beside her. He was about to check out her contract proposal when Ava opened her eyes. “Hi, when did you get back?” She
Gasps arose from people around them, their gazes now focused on Ava and Ethan. Ava was aware of the attention, and knew right away that Susie wanted to humiliate her publicly.“ You're aware we're trying to get a deal with Emerald Group, yet you still came here to get a deal for your company. The same company you stole money from us to set up? You're the reason dad died” Susie lamented, shedding crocodile tears.“How shameless” someone commented. The comment was followed by several exclamation of agreement.“What an unfilial daughter?”“She should be ashamed of herself”Ethan was not left out of the ugly comments.“ He's a bad man”“He's so greedy”“He's very useless”“They don't deserve to be here”.“They should be sent out of here” another person suggested. Everyone nodded in agreement.Ava looked at Ethan, his face had deepened with visible anger. This wasn't the first time a member of her family has tried to humiliate him in public.Susie wiped some more fake tears beneath her eye
The sound of the heels on the tiles,showed the gender of the intruder. It was a lady's voice! As she approached them, the air was set aflame by the frail of her perfume. It was a scent that spoke of wealth and sophistication, it was modern, elegant and alluring, like the lady who wore it with such confidence and grace. “What's the meaning of this?” She asked when she got close to them. The whole hall was silent, the voice was one with authority. Miss Josh comes to work early and leaves late, it was difficult for junior staff to see her. Whatever brought her out must be important. The security guard knelt down immediately trembling as he explained everything. She turned to the lady beside her, "Please, lead Miss Steve to my office”. The young lady nodded and led Ava to the office. With Ava gone, she turned to Susie “ young lady, I have no appointment with you. Drag her outside”. The security guard dragged her out of the premises. She freed herself and ran back to meet Miss Jos
Ava nodded, she couldn't believe things could be this easy for her. She quickly followed the assistant who had come to accompany her to Miss Josh's office. The moment Miss Josh saw Ava, she stood up from her chair and greeted her, “ Hi Miss Steve, you're welcome”. Ava was a bit nervous as she shook hands with Miss Josh, she took a deep breath and replied calmly, “Hi Miss Josh, thank you for inviting me again”. She tried to hide how nervous she was about the whole meeting. Miss Josh motioned her to sit down, “Please, have a seat”. After a brief silence, Miss Josh spoke immediately, “would you like a cup of coffee?” “No, thank you” Ava declined the offer. “Okay, Miss Steve, I've gone through your proposal with the team from our fashion industry. The reviews were positive. Your designs are top-notch and I think you're the perfect partner for us to work with as we plan to hit the global market”. Miss Josh said calmly. The news rendered Ava speechless,she blinked several times, an
“Why was Ethan there with you? You two plotted and brought fake documents here”. Susie shouted, her veins pulsating. James sneered, “you even lied about the contract quotation, have you ever made 100 million dollars in your life before?” Susie shifted in her seat, “ your designs are way below standard, you can't deceive us. Everyone knows I'm the best fashion designer in Nova City”. Turning to her mother, Susie said, “I wish I had taken this mission. I would have saved us from this humiliation”. Ava had heard enough, she walked towards Kate with the file in her hands. “Mum, this is the signed contract,my initial quotation was 50 million dollars, but Miss Josh said it was too low for the designs. Since they intend to go into the global market soon”. James curled his lips in disdain, “Ava, your tactics are too cheap, stop fooling around and face reality”. “This is outrageous!” Susie exclaimed, “Ava, you're trying to save your face and you came here to lie to us, is this the best
“Get out” A voice said calmly pointing at the door, “ you're not fit to be here”. “Please ma, you can't do this to me. I really need this job”, James sighed as he pleaded for the umpteenth time. “Young man, you're unfit to work here. So get out”. The young lady shook her head, still pointing at the door. “But !” James said, scratching his head. “Get out quietly before I call security on you!’ the lady banged the table as she stood up in a fit of anger. “Please ma, you have to be considerate. I have everything in the requirements and more”. James sighed as he continued to plead with the lady. The lady before him is the human resource manager of Emerald Group “Leave before I call security on you”, she shouted. “Please ma, you can't do this to me, you didn't even allow me to sit down. I really need this job,” James continued to beg. “A gambler and a spoilt brat? You think if you mess up here, your mother can cover it up with money? Do you even think you're qualified for any job?