Rise of the Sovereign: Wayne Stark

Chapter Seven

The next morning, as Lena got ready to leave, Wayne handed her a sealed envelope, neatly wrapped and heavier than it looked.

“Don’t worry about anything,” he said quietly. “Just give this to Mr. Arnold—he’ll understand.”

She blinked at the envelope, confused.

Wayne let her believe it contained something important from her grandfather, Rafael Romanos. Though the two men respected each other but no history of collaboration with the two yet.

Lena hesitated, eyes narrowing slightly. “Wayne… do you even know how much this contract is worth? And you really think Mr. Arnold will just hand it over… out of respect for Grandfather?”

Before she could finish, Wayne move closer gently.

“Dear, trust me. We can make this work.”

His tone was calm but resolute, the kind of steady assurance that planted a strange sense of comfort in her chest. After nearly three years of marriage, Wayne had never shown this level of presence. It felt… new. Almost intimate.

“Are you sure about this?” she asked, softer now.

Wayne gave a single nod. “I believe in you. And I know that with this—Mr. Arnold will give you the opportunity you deserve.”

His words settled in her heart like an anchor in stormy waters. For once, she didn’t feel the need to question him.

For some reasons she didn’t understand her mind seem to understand and didn’t argue about the words from an ordinary man as she know her husband to be.

Wayne drove her in her car himself to Arnold Corporation.

As the car pulled up before the towering building of steel and glass, Lena’s nerves flared. She glanced down at her handbag, the envelope inside like a weight.

“Wayne… does this even make any sense?” she asked, voice trembling.

Unbeknownst to her, Wayne had already made arrangements. Mr. Arnold was expecting her. The envelope was simply a veil—meant to look like an item passed down from her grandfather to give her good fate.

“You know the Arnolds have always had mutual respect for the Romanos family, even if they never worked together. That history is what opens this door. Trust me, dearest.”

“But… he doesn’t even know me. What makes you think I’ll be allowed near him? I don’t even know what’s inside this thing,” she said, gripping her bag.

Wayne gently touched her arm.

“Dear.”

There was something about the way he said it. Warm. Grounding. Almost magnetic.

She had married him out of obligation, necessity—even defiance. But now, a different kind of tension lingered between them.

“I need you to believe in yourself,” Wayne said. “You’re not just here to deliver something. You’re here because you deserve to be heard. That envelope? It’s just an introduction. You’re what seals the deal.”

His words felt like cool air brushing across a sunburn.

Lena nodded slowly. “Okay then… wait here for me. I’ll be back once it’s done.”

As she opened the car door, Wayne called out:

“Hey… I love you.”

She froze.

Had she heard that right?

Her heart skipped. His expression was calm, unwavering.

“Right… um… I’ll just go,” she mumbled, flustered. But even as she turned, the smile tugging at her lips gave her away.

Wayne watched her go, the moment lingering between them like a faint scent. After all this time, that simple reaction was enough to give him hope.

Inside the building, Lena took a steadying breath. The air was chilled, scented with perfume and power. It felt like walking into a fortress designed for the elite.

She approached the front desk.

“Hi, I’m here—”

“Deliveries wait over there,” the receptionist said flatly, without lifting her eyes from the screen.

Lena blinked. “Sorry…”

Now the receptionist looked up, her stare sharp.

“How may I help you?”

“I’m here to see Mr. Arnold,” Lena said, trying to mask her nervousness with a polite smile.

The woman sighed, clearly unimpressed.

“Do I have to deal with this every day?” she muttered under her breath.

Lena’s modest dress, simple and plain, stood out like a sore thumb in a sea of designer suits and high-end fashion. Her appearance didn’t give any indication of importance to the lady.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“Not exactly,” Lena admitted. “But I need to hand something to him. Personally.”

The receptionist gave a tight-lipped smile. “Wait in the visitor lounge.”

Lena obeyed, her anxiety climbing as she sat on the stiff, overly elegant couch. Many other people were there waiting for their calls also.

This is stupid. Why did I listen to Wayne? I’ll be sitting here all day. I’ll never even see him…

Then—

“Hey, Lena!”

She turned, stunned.

“Sarah?”

It was her old friend from school, standing by the entrance with a familiar smile.

“You work here?” Lena asked, blinking.

“Of course,” Sarah said, then gave a nod to a nearby security guard, who responded with a respectful bow.

“Wow, you’re a boss now,” Lena said with a teasing grin.

“Haha—don’t be silly. I’m just a secretary,” Sarah replied, but her tone carried pride.

“Still impressive.”

“So… what brings you here?”

“I came to see Mr. Arnold. I need to deliver something.”

Sarah’s expression shifted.

“You know my boss?” she asked, suddenly cautious.

“Well… not exactly. I just need to speak with him,” Lena replied.

“So, let me get this straight. Not only do you know Mr. Arnold, but you’re here to discuss something with him?”

There was no warmth in her voice now.

“I just need to deliver something—”

“You haven’t changed,” Sarah snapped, her voice growing colder.

Lena flinched. “What…?”

“You think someone like you can walk in here and get an audience with him? Do you even understand where you are? This isn’t school, Lena. It’s the real world. And it’s pathetic.”

Her voice was rising. People turned.

“Sarah…” Lena whispered.

“Don’t touch me,” she spat. “Still the same little poor girl from school. And you married a beggar, didn’t you? The rumor was right a nobody.” She laughed with a disdain look calling attention towards Lena as she humiliated her.

“Ordinary people like you don’t belong here.”

Laughter echoed from nearby onlookers.

Lena stood frozen. The sting of humiliation turned her limbs cold.

Then—

The air shifted.

Elevator doors opened. A ripple of attention passed through the lobby.

Mr. Arnold had stepped out. Tall. Imposing. Impeccably dressed.

Sarah’s eyes widened. She rushed toward him, voice sweetened.

Lena instinctively turned, ready to flee. Just get out before this gets worse—

“Excuse me,” Mr. Arnold’s voice boomed.

Everyone fell silent.

“Who here is Mrs. Lena?”

⸻