"That's how unnecessary emotions start", she murmured loudly
She looked at her reflection in the mirror
"Scarlett, get a hold of yourself and focus" she said
The next morning, she was up very early as she dressed not for elegance but with a spice of impact and control
Jude had said the event was sensitive and exposed, she doesn't want to go in for appearance but for performance as his wife
Madam Tracy was about to come to her room as she stepped out
"My lady, Mr Maguire is already waiting", she said
Scarlett nodded once
"I'm already on my way"
Jude didn't look at her, nor did he notice her, as his attention was on his tablet in his hand while he was going through reports.
Scarlett watched him briefly
"You're expecting something you aren't sure about", she said
Jude stopped scrolling through his tablet as he looked at her
"Why did you say that?"
Scarlett looked at the tablet in his hands
"You are preparing intensely and it is written all over your face"
Jude took a deep sigh
"They're reconsidering a major deal and if it collapses, it will affect the Maguire industries largely and not just the numbers", he said
Scarlett paused then nodded once
"Then they would hold on a bit and not walk away completely", she said
"You're assuming things", Jude said as he looked at her
"I'm just reading the market", she replied
The venue was like a private venue where they had their internal board meeting the other night
No paparazzi, no music, no crowd.
The room was filled with people who didn't waste time pretending and Scarlett felt it immediately
Jude stepped in first and Scarlett followed
The meeting started without introductions
"Mr Maguire, we've reviewed the updated projections", one of the investors said
There was a brief pause
"And I think we want to pull back", he continued
Scarlett felt Jude's expression had changed
"On what grounds do you want to pull out?", Jude asked
"The return window is too stretched and there is a lot of uncertainty", the man replied
Scarlett's eyes moved across the table as she watched their body language and their reactions.
"They are protecting themselves", she whispered to herself
Jude started convincing them but Scarlett could see that they were not convinced and they might walk out at any moment from now on.
Scarlett stood up and stepped forward as their attention moved towards her
"You're not pulling out", she said
The room was quiet as they all had their eyes on her
Jude didn't interrupt her
"You're only stalling and there's a difference", she continued
One of the investors leaned back slightly into his seat
"And what makes you so certain?"
Scarlett looked at him immediately
"Because if you are pulling out, you would not still be here negotiating after three hours", she said with a lot of confidence
Then she stepped closer to the table
"You don't trust the timeline nor the deal itself", she added
There was a pause
"Which means the investment isn't wrong, just the structure", she continued
Jude's eyes were fixed on her
"And what would you suggest?", another investor asked
Scarlett took her time to respond
"Just shorten the return window even if the margin is reduced", she said
The room was immediately overshadowed by murmurs
"Control the risk before it grows. Offer them something meaningful early", she continued
They were not fully convinced and then Jude stepped in
"Just as she said, we will adjust the structure and not the vision", he said as his voice was firm
Well, that convinced the room because they felt safer in his words than a woman they were just meeting
The conversation started again and this time they were convinced
They were not collapsing the deal anymore but rebranding
The deal ended and Scarlett stepped out immediately
She walked ahead slightly
"Scarlett?"
She turned
Jude was watching her as he called her
"How did you know where exactly to push?", he asked
Scarlett had a faint smile on her face
"Because I knew they weren't leaving, they just needed control. You know I told you earlier", she replied
Jude stepped closer
"And you gave it to them", he said
He paused a bit
"And you gave it to me too", he continued
Scarlett looked at him slightly
"Don't get used to it", she said
Jude didn't smile but there was something different in his expression
"But I already am", he said softly
Back at the mansion, Scarlett walked in tired
She moved toward the staircase, then suddenly stopped
Violet was standing there waiting for her
"That was impressive", Violet said as she clapped
Scarlett didn't react, she just watched
"But you weren't there", she said
"I didn't need to be there. I already heard everything that went on there", Violet replied with a smirk
"I really underestimated you", she added
"That makes the two of us", Scarlett said as she moved her head
Violet looked at Scarlett like she was searching for something
"I've also been looking into you", Violet said
Scarlett didn't react
"And what should I do with that piece of information", she asked
Violet stepped closer
"Hmmmmn…. Your past doesn't add up at all"
Scarlett remained very calm
"It doesn't need to add up",
"Well, it does in the Maguire family", Violet replied sharply
Then she paused
"There are gaps. Like years that just don't appear anywhere", she continued
Scarlett didn't move as her eyes were on Violet
"Then maybe you didn't do your research properly", she said
Violet wasn't pleased with the answer but she confirmed something else
Scarlett was in her room as she walked towards the mirror table
There was a file that was neatly placed on it
Scarlett frowned slightly as she wondered who would have dropped this on her table again
She picked the file up and opened it as she flipped through the pages
A part of her life that isn't in the public space was in that file
"I was wondering how long it would take you to notice since you came to your room?"
Scarlett didn't turn towards her door immediately because she already recognised the voice
Then she slowly turned. Violet was standing at the door as she watched her
Their eyes locked
Violet took a step inside as she looked at Scarlett
"You're not who you say you are", Violet said quietly
There was silence as Scarlett closed the file slowly and placed it back on the table
"I thought you were the almighty Violet Maguire of Maguire Industries. So, why are you just figuring it out now?", she asked calmly
Violet looked perplexed because she was expecting her to deny
"So, tell me who exactly my brother brought into this house?", Violet said as her voice dropped into something very dangerous
Scarlett smiled as she didn't answer immediately
"The kind of person you should never have tried to dig into, but just go with the flow", she said softly
Violet's expression hardened
There was tension in the room
Then Jude stepped in as his eyes moved between them
And then he saw the file on the table