Chapter 139 Lucian's Girl

“I KNOW you have no plans to return here after the partnership with Caldwell ended. But I badly need your help. Latton won’t listen to me or her mother, but she will listen to you,” Albert remarked. “I’ll talk to her because I miss her, not because you told me to. She’s old enough to make her own decisions,” Lucius replied. Shortly after, Lucius drove to York’s Villa. - Latton was sitting in the gazebo in the middle of the garden reading a magazine when a maid walked towards her, "Madam, you have a visitor waiting for you in the living room," The maid mumbled while her head lowered. She heaves profoundly and closes the magazine she is reading. "A visitor? Who?." She asks curiously. "He said his name was Officer Howard Gilberts." "Well, let him in. I'll talk to him here." She demanded. Soon, the maid ushered the Officer to the gazebo. "Nice to see you again, Officer." She greeted him while extending her hand. Officer H. Gilberts smiled and gladly shook her hand, "I'm happy to know that I am welcomed to your new home, Miss Ripley." He commented. She grins, "I go by Mrs. York now and it's my pleasure to welcome you. Where's your partner?" She asks while glancing past him. "He is handling other tasks. I won't waste any more of your time, I came here to tell you about Dominique's death." He states and soon tells her how the latter died. The Officer told her every gory detail, and she never felt better to know that Dominique suffered a lot before he perished. "With the information I've given to you. I want to know if there's someone aside from your family that could have avenged you from Dominique and Malena." He asks earnestly. She furrowed her brows and contemplated deeply, but nothing came to mind. "To tell you honestly, Officer, not even my father would do such a thing," She replied. The Officer nods, "How about a previous lover who might be trying to win you back?" He asks nicely. She shook her head, "I have tried dating before but never had a serious relationship that might trigger one person to hurt another just to please me." She explained. "I wish I could be more helpful." She added. Shortly, the Officer stood up and was about to leave, but before he did. He asks one last question, "Have you dated Lucian Caldwell before?" She frowned and pondered momentarily. "Would you call that dating?" She asked herself while recollecting everything they had done before. She shook her head, "No," she said with certainty. "Thank you for your time," he muttered, then soon went away. After 5 minutes, the maid walked towards her again and said, "Madam, you have a visitor." "Send him in," She replied without glancing at the maid. "Did the officer forget something to ask?" She thought to herself. Soon she heard a familiar voice, "Good Morning, Mrs. York." Her eyes shone with glee, "Lucius," she mumbled, and hastily stood up to greet him with warm hugs. "I missed you so much," he muttered gently. “I miss you too. Did my dad ask you to talk to me?” She remarks. He nods and his mood turns gloomy. “It doesn’t matter. I’m happy that you are here.” “So what they say is true, you are pregnant with Victor’s child,” he said while pointing at her stomach. She smiles, “Well, I spiral down and a lot of things happen that don’t make any sense. Next thing I know, here I am.” "I’m sorry if I’m not here during difficult times. I was sent to the convention at the last minute. Next thing I know, I have no position to return to. I felt lost, and I spiraled down too," he explains. She frowns, “I understand what you meant. I know how hard this is for you, that Managing Director position is your dream come true. I tried to keep it together but the incident at Circle of Hope is beyond me. I can no longer make excuses and sensible arguments not to cut ties with Caldwell Inc.” She remarks. “Don’t blame yourself for any of it. If there’s a person at fault, that’s Lucian Caldwell. If he knew how to pacify his girl, none of it would have happened.” He replied. She lowered her head, her face expressing a tint of sorrow, “What are your plans now?” She asked. He shrugs, “I miss working, that’s for sure.” “I know Dad won’t give you a place at Ripley International given our silent family feud.” She states. He nods, “That’s how it has been since my mother was never treated like a real member of the Ripley family. No matter how good we do, she’s still a daughter of the maid.” “Enough of the past, we cannot change that. Let’s talk about something we can change. If given a chance, would you like to return to Caldwell Inc.?” She asks “Of course,” he answers gleefully. “Then I have something for you. It’s not a Managing Director position…” She stops mid-sentence and lets it linger. “What is it?” He inquired eagerly. “VP of Operations,” she mumbles. He almost choked with his spit. “Vice President of Operations?” He yelled, then inched closer to her and glanced at her intently, "What’s the catch?" He whispered. “You’ll report directly to Lucian since he is the CEO now.” She explained while walking back to the gazebo. He laughs, “I don’t actually mind that. I am a professional.” She smiles, “Good then you can start next week.” "Next week? But I haven’t gotten an interview yet nor spoken to the CEO or the board members." He asks in confusion. "And why do I have a feeling that you have this planned for a long time?" "Because I did. I know my Dad will talk me out of my marriage with Victor and if I don't listen to him, he will either control me or someone involved. He can't because he can no longer control me, and he can't threaten Victor, so it goes down to the last option to find someone I will listen to and that's you." She explains nonchalantly. "But that doesn't explain the VP position you are offering me. This is Caldwell Inc., not Ripley International. How can you be sure that the CEO or the board will accept me?" He asks while contemplating if he is dreaming or if his cousin has lost her mind. She laughs, "The CEO's decision doesn't matter. What matters is the board and I happen to have a pretty good hold on most of them. How do you think Victor got in as the C.O.O?" Lucius smiled, "I'll be reporting to work next week then." - Meanwhile, a lady with long blonde hair and emerald green eyes stood in front of Caldwell Incorporated. There’s an elegant aura around her. Anyone could perceive she’s from a wealthy family. She entered the building with a faint smile on her face. When she got into the concierge, Jane the new employee greeted her and gave her a visitor's pass. The lady then pressed the elevator to go to the 20th floor. When the elevator opened, she saw a glimpse of George Caldwell who was visiting his son. “Uncle George,” she yelled, gleefully gathering the attention of the office personnel near her. George was dumbfounded and was taken aback to see her, “Shirley,” he mumbled, a surge of memory flooding his mind. - 17 years ago, Lucian had just turned 15 when he brought Shirley with him to their home. She was Lucian's first girlfriend. She was 21 years old at the time and instantly, George and Alicia didn't like her. She was controlling and envious. It was her first time inside their home, and they witnessed how she manipulated Lucian right before their eyes. She asks their son to throw away all his color red clothes because she hates the color. She even demanded that they remove all the paintings in their living room because they looked depressing. Lucian was so madly in love with her that he would do anything for her. He used to cut classes just to be with her. He even missed his high school graduation just to party with her. Whatever she says goes. When suddenly, after 5 years, she breaks up with him to marry another man from a much more prominent family, and it hurts Lucian to the point that he doesn't sleep, eat, or go out of his room. For more than a month he stayed in his room. George and Alicia thought they had lost their son, but to their surprise, he moved forward with his life and studied harder. They thought he had moved on, but when he brought Malena, who is a spitting image of Shirley, they knew he hadn't. NOTES: