Chapter 10
Hera took a deep breath, adjusting her mindset. With Nash and Skadi by her side, she entered the general manager’s office to confront Helena.
Inside, Helena was lounging casually in Hera’s chair, playing with her diamond ring worth 700 grand, spinning in the chair with an air of arrogance. When she heard footsteps approaching, a sly smile spread across her face.
Hera stepped into the room and met Helena’s gaze. “You wanted to see me?”
Helena didn’t respond right away. Instead, her eyes lingered on Nash, who stood confidently in a tailored suit. Since his makeover, Nash’s appearance had transformed; his charisma now rivaled that of Kai.
A flicker of jealousy flashed across Helena’s eyes. “I didn’t expect someone as useless as you to actually look decent in a suit…”
Nash’s gaze hardened, his voice cold. “Watch your mouth. Yesterday, I let it slide because of our engagement, but now that things have changed, I won’t hesitate to teach you a lesson on behalf of Mr. Lewis. Keep it up, and you’ll regret it.”
Unlike Hera, who often swallowed her pride in the face of Helena’s insults, Nash wasn’t going to let things slide any longer. This was a warning, and it wouldn’t be so easy next time.
Helena slammed her hand on the desk, her anger flaring. But then, a thought crossed her mind, and she remembered her father’s warning from the night before. The assassins sent after them—Skadi had no part in it, but Nash? He had likely been the one to take care of the professionals who had come for them.
Seeing Helena’s fury building, Skadi couldn’t help but smile smugly. “Ms. Helena, this isn’t Rococo. We don’t tolerate your arrogance here.”
As Skadi spoke, she cracked her knuckles with a satisfying snap, making her intentions clear.
Hera felt a surge of confidence from the support around her and took a step forward. “Get out of my seat.”
Helena’s eyes narrowed as she locked onto Hera. For a moment, a flicker of fear flashed in Hera’s chest—Helena’s cold gaze had the power to send chills down anyone’s spine, and it wasn’t the first time she had felt it. But as the memories of Helena’s interference in her life and business resurfaced, Hera’s own gaze turned cold and unyielding.
The two cousins locked eyes, neither willing to back down.
Nash, observing from the side, folded his legs casually, refusing to intervene. He knew this was Hera’s fight to face—she needed to establish herself in the business world, and he wasn’t going to take that from her.
After a tense 30 seconds, Helena finally stood up from the chair, seemingly conceding. But it wasn’t out of respect—it was a tactical move. With Nash and Skadi present, she couldn’t push her luck too far. She had already ruined her engagement with Nash, and it was clear her grandfather’s attention was now turning to Hera. In her eyes, Hera was just a dog relying on others.
Hera sat down, her gaze never leaving Helena’s face. “If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, don’t waste my time.”
Helena suppressed a smug grin and straightened herself up. “Yates Group has canceled their collaboration with Baroque. Your profits for next month will probably fall into the negative, won’t they?”
It was Helena who had orchestrated the cancellation through her boyfriend, Kai. To the eldest son of the wealthiest family in Jonford, Mr. Yates was insignificant. She came to Baroque with one goal—to watch her cousin flounder.
“You’re not cut out for business, Hera. Maybe you should consider another line of work. Since you took over Baroque, profits have been declining every year. Your grandfather’s health is already deteriorating, and if this continues, he’ll be driven to his death by your failures.”
Helena’s words were biting, and Hera’s blood boiled. The anger was almost unbearable.
Just as Hera was about to lose her composure, her phone vibrated on the desk. It was a message from her mother.
Reading the message, Hera inhaled deeply and looked up with newfound resolve. “Baroque doesn’t rely on just Yates Group. While losing them is unfortunate, we’ll find new clients.”
Helena raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “New clients? Baroque’s chips are outdated. Who in their right mind would want to buy your family’s products, except a few car and phone companies still stuck in the past?”
But Hera’s lips curled into a faint, confident smile. “You don’t need to worry about that, dear cousin. Drake Group has decided to place an order for a batch of car chips from us.”
The news hit Helena like a punch to the gut. Drake Group was a huge potential client, one that Hera’s mother had secured through the Mare family’s connections. Though the partnership wasn’t final, it gave Hera hope.
“Drake Group?” Helena scoffed. “Oh, I remember now. You’ve got an uncle who works as a business manager there. It must be Lauren who begged the Mare family to get this order for you, right? But don’t get too excited! I forgot to mention—Kai is on good terms with Drake Group’s eldest son!”
Helena’s voice dripped with venom as she sauntered away, her words leaving an unmistakable implication: Hera’s collaboration with Drake Group would be impossible as long as Kai was involved.
“Helena…”
Hera’s eyes burned with a mix of fear, anger, and helplessness. She could feel the weight of her mother’s sacrifices for the Drake Group deal. If Helena kept manipulating Kai, it would all be in vain.
Helena paused at the door, turning around with a sweet, malicious smile. “Do you need anything else, dear cousin?”
Hera’s lips trembled, but she couldn’t find the words to respond.
Helena, sensing her victory, felt a wave of relief wash over her. Calmly, she added, “If you want that deal with Drake Group to happen, it’s simple. Kneel down and beg me.”
“Helena Lewis, you’ve crossed the line…” Skadi exploded with fury, her fists clenched.
At the sound of Skadi’s voice, Helena’s smile widened, and she turned to leave, knowing the confrontation had reached its peak.
But before she could walk out, a sudden loud crash echoed through the office. The door slammed open with incredible force.
Skadi’s punch collided with the door, her fist driving through the wood, but she immediately winced in pain as her shoulder was dislocated from the force.
The young man who had kicked open the door stood there, calm and unbothered. He was dressed in a white suit and oversized sunglasses, his silver hair glinting in the light. It was Albino—Kai’s ruthless subordinate, a man known for his martial arts prowess.
At only 24 years old, Albino had already claimed three championship titles in the International Mixed Martial Arts Fighting Competition. The kick he had delivered was enough to rival the power of Hera’s grandfather.
“Skadi…”
Hera rushed to her side, her face pale as she watched her friend brace herself in pain. Skadi gritted her teeth, forcefully popping her shoulder back into place with her left hand, refusing to show weakness in front of their enemies.
Despite the pain, Skadi’s gaze remained unflinching as she stared down Albino. She knew this man was formidable, but with Nash here, she had no doubt they could handle whatever came next.
Helena, watching with a mix of glee and surprise, was reveling in the chaos. She didn’t realize just how dangerous the people she was dealing with were.
“Have you made up your mind, dear cousin?” Helena called out, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “Kneel down and beg me if you want that Drake Group deal. Or else, it’s over.”