Talia

Even though David had never fully mentioned his family, the implications were clear.

In the past, every time Penelope would visit, he and his family would pander over her, caring for her with such open affection, yet any complaint from me would be shut down. They would claim I was unreasonable. After all, they were just showing platonic affection and I was overthinking things.

Under their scolding and David's care, I had even doubted myself.

I knew that they were in on David's plan. It was confirmed when whilst monitoring them, they had made contact overseas.

All this time they had known all this time of he and Penelope's relationship and supported them. Now that David was gone with her to nurture their child, they wanted to use me.

Very well then.

If Renee had exposed them it would have made things easier, but it didn't matter. Now that it was confirmed I wasn't going to hold back.

I straightened up and looked at Renee's sneering face.

SMACK!

She collapsed from the force of my slap until Ellen caught her.

“Talia! What are you doing? How dare you lay a hand on your cousin!” my father in law screamed, face red.

“Father, as an Elder I was just trying to correct Renee as my younger sister.” I smiled helplessly.

“Its not right for her to attack me, or spout strange things in her grief.”

I could see despite the shock, everyone was relieved. They believed I was still ignorant.

“You…” Renee tried to speak but she was held back with warning glances.

“Sister Renee, be careful of what you say in your grief. David was like your brother.” I said, feeling satisfied at her enraged look.

“However, I really can't accept this yet. There is still a perfectly good home waiting for you. I will help assist on other matters but that is all.”

My second refusal slurred Jackson forward. His expression grimaced as he moved towards me.

“Don’t be unreasonable. After all we've done for you...”

“All you've done for me?” I countered, daring him to say a word. He froze in place, shock written all over.

The first time I met them, they looked at me with disdain before they learned of my name. They initially acted benevolent after my marriage but soon began making demands over me.

I held myself back for David's sake, believing that he was on my side, and they thought my silence meant submission. In their eyes, they believed that I was easy to bully.

But it wasn't time to show my cards yet.

I frowned, heartbroken, letting my tears fall.

“Mother, father, Renee, I've never asked you for anything. Everything you expected of me, I did without restraint. David just died. His grave is still fresh. I'm also grieving and I still have to work for Hayes Corporation for his sake. All I need is time to put everything on track, which is why I can't take you in, yet you call me unreasonable?”

I said it loud enough that the maids, and security that were no doubt eavesdropping would hear. The family's faces paled at the sight of my tears.

Stumbling backwards as if I was dizzy, I steadied myself on a chair and shook my head.

“It's alright. Mother, Father, Renee. I'm sorry but I can't help you this time. Don't worry, I'll support you to the best of my ability and make sure you're well taken care of. But for now you'll have to leave this place.”

“You-”

Before any of them could retort I had already signalled the security to come and take them and their luggage away. They struggled against them looking stunned and angry.

“Unfilial child. Let me go!”

I didn't bother looking at them amidst their screams. Clair soon came to support me before I collapsed. As soon as the doors closed for good, I carefully stepped out of the living room, stumbling.

In the face of the servants present, I dragged myself tiredly back to my room with grief in my eyes.

The door shut and I tore away my pretenses, straightening back to normal.

“They won't let this go easily Ma'am.” she said anxiously.

I smirked, looking from the window at the last sight of them being forcefully driven away.

“It doesn't matter,” I said coldly, “Retrieve the footage in the living room for me later.”

“Yes Ma'am.”

After dismissing her, I called Jason again.

“What is the progress?”

“Its already progressing. We've withdrawn about 80% of all of your investments funds and spoken to most of the other companies. Hayes Corporation will soon be receiving notifications of cancelled projects.”

“Good.” I muttered, “And what of Weston Corporation?”

“We are already contacting several Partners as we speak. They're all willing to work with us but they want to speak with you first."

“I'll send a few extra contacts to you. Tread slowly with them and win them over.” I said. The call quickly ended.

I had already feigned enough grief to garner in the face of several potential partners during the funeral, receiving several contacts in the process.

Better yet, my family's former partners I had never lost contact with, some of whom I contacted to aid in Hayes Corporation once, were still ready to join me. With their lifelong debts and loyalty to my parents, I was at an advantage.

But sympathy and sentiment wouldn't win confidence. Ability did.

It would be easier to walk away and watch them crumble but that wasn't my goal. I still had something to do with Hayes Corporation.

And soon, I would make sure everyone was aware of who the real mastermind behind Hayes success was.

Talia

After that day, I began cementing my place within Hayes Corporation.

People were shocked to find me entering the building, fitted in a suit and looking stern despite the sallow paleness and manufactured eye bags.

Many had never seen me before in the workplace. Aside from the recent funeral, company events and constant press about our relationship, little was known about me.

Many doubted my ability to work, yet I was still greeted with open arms by the board and staff out of sympathy with the general consensus being that I came out of grief and my promise to fulfil David's wishes.

I would be given a nominal role, an illusion of power while they dealt with the company.

After all, I was an orphaned heiress and David's virtuous wife. What could I know about business?

It didn't phase me. This was only the beginning.

I worked subtly, never disrupting the current role whilst asserting my place. Despite their reservations I'd acquired my own team to handle affairs and overdue work. Soon, the board of directors were in awe at the efficiency and productivity at which I dealt with long shelved works and projects, their initial doubts about me fading.

And then, chaos suddenly fell.

Just as Jason executed, investments, partnerships and projects planned were soon being terminated and pulled one after the other in quick succession for flimsy reasons, causing the entire corporation to tremble. Many speculated but couldn't find the reason why.

Soon, panic spread and I, in the eyes of other partners and staff, looked like a calm anchor in the storm.

I openly shared a plan that left all of the shareholders confident. Incompetent people were replaced on the spot. Teams held onto me and I slowly guided the entire company through it, taking on people to personally acquire more projects on behalf of Hayes Corporation. Slowly but surely, despite the hard times, it looked like the company was getting back up on its feet again.

In aiding them through the storms, I'd gained the trust of several partners and staff. They no longer saw me as David's wife alone, but as a trustworthy CEO and member of the Hayeson Corporation.

Many of the projects that built Hayes Corporation were never gained by merit in the first place. From the moment I'd married David, I'd considered all my resources as his. The projects he couldn't get, connections and the assets he needed were provided either directly or through my connections and family name.

David wasn't competent either. Aside from charisma and general business knowledge, he held very little practical experience. Even the time spent as CEO had taught him little. Whilst he assisted in giving tasks, in truth I was the one doing most of the work, sneaking into his study to look over documents and fixing any potential mistakes.

He was always too proud to admit he needed help so I constantly slipped in subtle suggestions.

I believed my work was a silent sacrifice as his wife. He never said a word about it. There was no gratitude or appreciation. I had assumed he didn't notice.

Now I knew my silent sacrifices were noticed. He just loved to take advantage.

It was no wonder why he was so comfortable with leaving the company to me.

They had always believed that David was the stroke of genius that led Hayes' Corporation to greatness. Back then, I silently also let him take the credit. Now however, the truth was slowly unravelling.

Soon, new sets of rumors began spreading.

“Is it true that David's business prowess was actually obtained through his wife?”

“She seems more capable than him. Even that plan of hers is like the one he presented once but he barely gave details. Has she been helping him this whole time?”

Soon my name was being mentioned more amongst the business circles. I avoided parties while still mourning but my name was already spreading far and wide. I knew that it wouldn't be long for the Hayes family to notice it.

Throughout this period, they had constantly attempted to pester me. As promised, I'd sent them large sums of money for their upkeep regularly, constantly keeping check on them from their servants. But that wasn't what they wanted. They desired complete control and subservience from me, to ensure that I was kept under heel.

They had attempted several times to morally blackmail me, waiting at the gates of the mansion, but I'd already ensured that they weren't allowed to enter.

Then also came texts, some from Renee and others from Ellen and Jackson. Some of them were complaints and requests to retrieve things on their behalf. I made sure to answer every one properly, offering condolences and support, yet every avenue that brought up having to take care of them or move in was answered with an excuse to work.

I had visited twice throughout the entire week, even going as far as to personally pick out gifts in the presence of one or two familiar people.

Now, with my praises spreading, they grew dissatisfied.

How ridiculous.

They wanted me to serve them and slave away for the Hayes company but under the name of their ‘late’ son. They wanted my resources to help them rise but to never shine.

I knew that hearing this news alongside the changes I made to the company would make them feel out of control.

It was only a matter of time before they did something about it.

That day finally came.

Fiddling with the pen in my hands, I rested against the chair that once belonged to him. Aside from the chair and desk, I never touched a single belonging of his.

Many believed it was out of respect for him but my eyes, they were already dirty.

KNOCK.

The door opened. It was Jason who I hired during the crisis under the guise of needing a new assistant, ridding every trace of David's influence.

“Ma’am,” Jason said, “There are visitors waiting for you.”

I took a deep breath. Standing up, I straightened, confirming that every detail in my expression was precise.

And then, I stepped out.

When I entered, the board of directors were present along with my mother in law, father in law and Renee.