Mr. Nobody: Owns It All

Unforseen circumstances

Noticing his silence, she cast a dismissive glance at him, her lips pursed in a haughty frown. "Stop following me around, Shane-Leo," she mocked, her voice laced with sheer pride. "We clearly don't belong in the same world anymore."

Shane-Leo stared after Norah's retreating figure, a bitter taste settling on his tongue. Her words hung heavy in the air, they were like a dagger to his heart, 

He didn't move, his gaze locked on her retreating figure. She was right, they were no longer on the same page. His journey had taken him to a place where love mattered more than money, where respect and understanding mattered more than appearances.

Love, for her, seemed to be a transaction, calculating equation where success and status were the sole currency. 

He wasn't a real man because he prioritised genuine love over a 'utilitarian' relationship? He thought it to be crazy. He'd built an empire from the ground up, weathered storms that would break lesser men, and yet in her eyes, he still wasn't enough.

Of course, she was not aware of that. 

He was starting to feel it was a good thing, because that way, he got to see the real her. 

He watched as she disappeared into the throng of people, a cold, of the woman he once loved. A part of him grieved, a bittersweet pang for what could have been. But a larger part, felt a surge of defiance.

He wouldn't let her define him. He wouldn't let her narrow perspective dictate his worth. He was a self-made man, and he was here to return to his family and uphold his father’s legacy on his own terms.

Fists clenching at his sides, Shane-Leo forced himself to take a deep breath. Dwelling on her words wouldn't change anything. He needed to focus, to maintain control.

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was a call from William, the General Manager of his company, Resilience

"Mr. Mirano," William's voice crackled through the line, a hint of concern lacing his tone. "I just heard about...well, the news concerning your personal life, sir – The divorce. My condolences."

Shane-Leo grimaced. News travelled fast, even within the company. "It's fine, William, thank you." He said, forcing a lightness into his voice that he didn't feel. "What can I do for you?"

"Actually," William continued, "it's about the ongoing project with Ms. Norah Kent's company, Dreamscape. In light of your...separation, I took the liberty of pausing the negotiations."

A wry smile played on Shane-Leo's lips. William was a loyal man, perhaps a little overzealous at times. "A wise action," he conceded. "Go ahead and stop the cooperation altogether. There's no need to pursue it further."

A slight pause followed on the other end of the line. "Are you sure, Mr. Mirano? Dreamscape is a rising star in the design industry. This was a major deal for both companies."

Shane-Leo knew that. He'd handpicked Dreamscape for the project precisely because of their potential. But something in him, a primal need to sever all ties with Norah, made him push forward.

"Yes," he confirmed. "Inform the relevant departments and handle the cancellation accordingly. We can discuss other avenues for the project at a later date."

"Very well, Mr. Mirano," William capitulated. "I'll get on it right away. Is there anything else I can assist you with?"

"No, William," Shane-Leo replied. "That's all for now. Thank you for keeping me informed."

He ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket. A hollow feeling settled in his stomach, a mixture of anger and a strange sense of liberation. 

He'd cut Norah out of his business life, but the act felt strangely symbolic, a closing of a chapter.

Across the room, meanwhile, Norah was basking in the attention of a group of businessmen. Fresh from a conversation with a potential investor, she was radiating confidence, a far cry from the struggling student she once was. 

Years of hard work and determination had brought her to this point, a successful businesswoman in her own right. Her smile was dazzling and her eyes brimming with pride. 

‘Who would have thought, I, Norah Kent, a poor student who struggled to feed from hand to mouth will be able to do the things they said I could not do? I am now a CEO and I’m surrounded by successful people, all wanting to partner with my company.’ She thought to herself.

She reveled in the feeling of accomplishment, a self-made woman who had carved her own path to success. Little did she know, the foundation of that path had been paved with the resources Shane-Leo had secretly provided when they were together. 

She held her head high as she recounted a story, her smile captivating her audience. 

When she mentioned her ongoing collaboration with Resilience Industries, a project poised to propel her company to even greater heights, the murmurs of approval from the businessmen intensified. 

They fawned over her, flattered her with words and some even went ahead to place orders and patronize her company’s services.

Little did she know, the ground was shifting beneath her feet. Her phone buzzed, pulling her attention from the conversation. 

A quick glance at the screen revealed a call from the same manager she'd just been speaking about. With a smile, she excused herself from the group and answered the call.

"Mr. Williams," she greeted him in a friendly tone. "So good to hear from you again. What can I do for you?"

The response was not what she'd expected. "Ms. Kent," he began, his voice apologetic, "I'm afraid I have some bad news. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we'll have to put the project on hold indefinitely."

Norah's smile faltered. The change in the surname he used to address her informed her that the news of her divorce has spread through the industries. 

"Hold on," she stammered, a flicker of panic rising in her chest. "Unforeseen circumstances? What do you mean? We just discussed the contract details!"

Mr. William sighed. "I understand your frustration, Ms. Kent, but unfortunately, our hands are tied. We can't proceed at this time. However," he added quickly, "should the situation change, we will definitely be in touch."

Before Norah could protest further, He ended the call, leaving her staring at the phone in disbelief. A wave of confusion washed over her.