Jonathan's POV
Rollings Designs - Morning A week later.
I walked in carrying coffee for the staff.
"Everyone," I called out. "Take your coffee first."
"Mr. Rollings," a staff member said. "You seem happy, anything happened…has Mrs. Rollings come back."
"When she comes back, I won't celebrate with coffee alone," I said. "No, this…it's for an intuition I have."
"Enjoy."
Reality…
It was an intuition.
Today when I woke up, I had the same feeling when Veronica used to wake me up with good news.
She may not be here with me, but I feel her love is still guiding me.
Veronica's words from her letter surfaced in my mind.
"Once your love, now only Janet's mother."
I had read this like more than the rest of the letter
"Veronica, you'll always be Janet's mother, but…" I said to myself.
"I will make you say your love once again. I will win your heart and trust again."
"Even if it's the last thing I do."
"Mr. Rollings, you may want to see this."
I didn't walk over immediately.
I already had an intuition.
Intuitions like these don't arrive quietly.
They come with an echo.
When I finally walked over and glanced at his screen…
The headline didn't matter.
It was the documents attached that mattered.
They came from the internal office.
Verified.
Three…each declaring what me and Daniel lost is no longer forgotten.
After seven years what belonged to us…
Is…
No longer theirs.
A small smirk slipped my lips.
Media Reaction
News
"Blue Heart is under investigation?"
"Claims are in saying the ownership of the Blue Heart owned by Sanders Harmon, is under investigation. Speculations are being made, the Blue Heart does not belong to Sanders and was not legally purchased. Our sources also tell Jonathan Rollings, CEO of Rollings Designs, is the one who has made the claim. For those who don't follow the business news, it's said that Jonathan Rollings and Sanders Harmon's cousin sister Imelda Harmon are in a relationship. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this news."
Jonathan's POV
Rollings Designs - Morning
"Mr. Rollings," a staff member said in a worried voice. "If Mrs. Rollings sees this…"
"Yes," another staff member said. "Shouldn't we deny your relationship?"
"At the present we need to make sure Blue Heart stays in the news," I said leaning against my desk.
"Even if it's for the wrong reasons."
I looked around and only saw confused looks.
"Simple," I said.
"As long as Blue Heart is in the news, Imelda, Sanders and Fredrick won't be able to rest."
"Veronica will be the least on their minds."
"And…I don't think Veronica would be interested in any news related to the Blue Heart or me."
"Okay," I said assessing my position
"Lock all internal communications."
"Prepare a holding statement if needed."
"Press team."
"Yes." They said in unison.
"Don't deny anything yet."
"Keep comments neutral."
"When the time comes, official statements and comments will be released."
"Yes Mr. Rollings." Again they said in unison.
Like any other day, orders came in clean and were dispatched immediately.
Rollings Designs was functioning normally.
Because…
Panic is for people who don't understand timing.
And over the past seven years..
That's all I've been waiting for.
The time.
I wasn't going to fight with volume.
I will fight.
But with control.
My eyes moved around on the files sprawled across my desk.
One thought remained.
This news leak wasn't random.
Imelda and Sanders would never let this happen.
Clara had her system stripped from her.
But she got her life back.
No connection to any digital trace.
If she does try..
It will trigger the police immediately.
If she wants a free life, she'll never use her system again.
Then who leaked it to the media.
A friend or a foe..
As long as the person doesn't harm Veronica, I don't care what they do.
Rollings Designs - Later on in the day.
The second news came a few hours later.
This news carried details of how the design reached its current rightful owner.
The release..
Was..
Intentionally sharper.
"Veronica Smith was the person who personally delivered the verified signed deeds to its current rightful owner."
My eyes narrowed slightly.
My hands clenched into fists.
Her name…
In the center of it all ..
No hesitation to use it.
After everything they had done.
They still didn't hesitate in using her name.
"...Sanders."
The room stilled.
Everyone looked towards me.
"Mr. Rollings?" A staff member said.
He wasn't exposing her.
He was positioning himself.
It was clear he wasn't destroying Veronica's name.
He only placed her exactly where it would hurt me to know she's involved.
"Mr. Rollings?" Again the staff member said.
"He's not done yet," I said quietly.
"This is his setup," I said leaning against my desk.
"He wants me to back off, or he might get dirtier."
"Using her for the deliveries itself was a mistake. I won't forgive them," I said, continuing.
"Now he's only digging his own grave."
Imelda's POV
Harmon House
I was seated at the breakfast table…
Alone.
With father …
I can't recall the last time he ate with me.
With Jonathan also last time was two months before Veronica left.
I was eating when my phone screen flashed on.
I noticed it was a news bulletin, but I didn't take much to it.
But ..
The second bulletin got my attention:
"Blue Heart under investigation."
I didn't react when I saw the headline on my screen.
I casually picked up my phone and unlocked it to read it.
I read every word carefully.
Slowly.
Till the last word.
By the time I read the last word..
My smile had returned back to my lips.
It was small..
But controlled.
And…
Dangerous.
"So," I murmured. "You're finally going to step out."
"Long time no see."
Harmon Designs - Later on in the day.
"Ms. Imelda, what should we do?"
"Release a statement and deny everything said about me."
"No."
I turned around slightly, eyes sharp looking at the news playing on the screen.
"Question the source. Release a statement saying Harmon Designs will get to the bottom and resolve this matter soon."
Over the years from my experience I have learned…
Truth can be bent.
Once doubt seeds in..
It only spreads faster.
Sanders POV
His Office
"Sir, we did as you told," the staff said. "Should we tell Ms. Imelda?"
"No need.' I said. "Both have taken the bait. That's all I need."
My screen flashed with a bulletin.
I didn't need to look, after all I was the one who leaked it in the first place.
"Fools," I said laughing.
"Today I'll let them talk."
Because.
If there's anything that matters…
Is.
Timing.
Nothing else matters.
And right now…
They were moving in the direction I wanted them to.
"Everyone was reacting to the news.
By the end of the day…
I would be the poor person who was being questioned by none other than his own cousin's sister's fiance.
Imelda would be looked down on for not standing up for me.
Jonathan would be mocked for trying to steal my design.
The game had already begun seven years back.
Only if it wasn't for Imelda, I would have made sure no one comes claiming the Blue Heart ever again.
If only she would have dealt with Veronica before, instead of allowing her to run off, and losing her grip on Jonathan.
"Prepare for the next news."
"It's already being uploaded, sir."
A faint smile touched my lips.
For now it looked like Blue Heart was being attacked..
Soon everyone will see me being attacked.
Once that happens, I'll be showered with sympathy.
"I think I should get a little grooming done," I said, touching my face.
"After all, I'll soon be on TV."
I adjusted my sleeves.
"Soon they'll be watching me."
Jonathan's POV
Rollings Designs - A few minutes later.
"Mr. Rollings, they've shifted the angle."
"They're going from proof to credibility."
I exhaled slowly.
Of course that would be her next step.
Till date Imelda has never defended facts.
She always controls perception.
Sanders did something she didn't expect.
He took a step without her knowledge.
Considering he's out of jail because of her.
Yet, he's backstabbing her.
I leaned forward with my hands firmly on my desk.
"All's fine with me as long as you both go down."
Sanders POV
His Office
"Mr. Sanders, we've withdrawn funding from Harmon Designs."
"But ..if Mr. Harmon calls…."
"By the time he finds out," I said smiling.
"He'll be too busy wiping his dear daughter's tears."
I knew this news wouldn't come loudly.
But it would spread like a forest fire.
The Harmon's wouldn't have the time to move.
Usually they moved for a reason.
This time even if they had a reason, they wouldn't have the time.
One of my staff members came over with a document.
After reading it.
I smiled and signed the final approval without any hesitation.
"Let them know who Sanders Harmon really is."
Jonathan's POV
Rollings Designs - a few hours later
I had been trying to figure out who really leaked the news.
Once I pinpointed Sanders, my plan changed.
"Imelda managed to control me because she made me believe Adrian was mine."
"She said she'd help me get the Blue Heart."
My gaze darkened slightly.
Imelda always controlled access.
While Sanders always loved controlling timing.
And Veronica…
She was caught in the middle of them.
I straightened slowly.
"Call Daniel."
Everyone stilled on hearing me.
"Mr. Rollings?" A staff member said hesitatingly.
"If Sanders wants to bring the fight out in the open," I said.
"He'll get just that." My voice was steady.
"I was quiet until now because of Adrian and the Blue Heart."
"Now, Adrian is no concern for me, and Blue Heart will reach its rightful owner."
"They want it in public, then I'll end it in public."
"Mr. Rollings," my secretary said. "Mr. Staf's on line."
"Daniel," I said online.
I paused for a brief moment.
Then…
"The time has come."
Silence.
"Claim what's yours."
"Jonathan, what about–"
I cut in.
"I'll clear her name with her rightful status declared to the world."
My grip tightened around the phone.
"No matter what it takes… I won't let Veronica take the fall."
Because now…
I finally understood.
She was never part of their game.
She was only a piece they were trying to break to the point of no return.
And…
I won't let that happen.