Chapter 3
The sound of airplanes landing and taking off filled the air.
Liam walked out of the arrivals, dragging a sleek black suitcase in one hand and his phone in the other. His assistant was supposed to be here by now.
“Where are you?” He asked as soon as the call connected.
“I’m sorry sir, I had some trouble finding a parking space. I’m on my way now”
“Okay.” Liam sighed, ending the call
He moved to sit on a nearby bench. The hum of travelers and flight announcements droned in the background. His gaze turned to watch the wave of travellers around him, some people were happily reuniting with their families, some tearfully saying their goodbyes, and others were lone travellers like him.
A strange mix of nostalgia and bitterness curled in his chest. It has been years since he stepped on American soil–years since he left home. This time he would find the truth of the past. His grandfather summoned him back to remove the weeds in the King’s corporation. Based on his investigation, the corporation was just surviving on its former glory–already hollowed out by greed and corruption, if he doesn’t do something soon, the whole corporation would collapse. He had to fix it, too many jobs were on the line and he had no intention of letting that happen.
“Sir.” His assistant asked as he took his box. “Would you be going to the company for your apartment first?”
“The company.” Liam replied standing up.”John, what about the ID I told you to prepare?”
“Here” John answered. He took out a card from his pocket and handed it over to Liam.
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the city skyline as Stella Moore stood in front of the King’s Corporation head office tower, its gleaming glass reflecting the sunlight onto the asphalt floor. The building was an architectural marvel — sleek, modern, and imposing — a reflection of a powerful empire—an empire built on blood and betrayal. How many companies like her parents’ and families like hers had been destroyed on the corporation’s rise to power.
She took a deep breath, tightening her grip on her bag. This was it — the first step—she’d been waiting years for this. Revenge. Justice. The destruction of King’s corporation.
Inside, the lobby was just as luxurious— marble floors, high ceilings, and smartly dressed people. Stella approached the reception desk, her heart pounding—was it fear, excitement, she couldn’t tell.
“Stella Moore,” she said, keeping her voice steady. “I’m starting today in the president’s secretary office.”
The receptionist offered a polite smile. “Let me check to confirm. She made a phone call, nodding to whatever the person on the other end was saying.“Welcome to King’s Corporation. You’ll be reporting to the executive floor — take the elevator to the 25th floor. Good luck.”
The 25th floor was busier than the lobby. Stella stood in place watching the bustle around her, she barely had time to take in the sight, before someone bumped into her.
“My shoes!” a sharp voice screamed.
The room went silent.
Stella turned to see a woman around her age, decked in designer pieces and radiating an air of superiority. The irritation on her face deepened as her gaze swept over Stella. A coffee cup was on the floor, most of its content on the woman’s shoe.
“You idiot, why can’t you watch where you’re going?” She hissed. “Do you have any idea what these cost?” the woman said, face flushed with outrage. She eyed Stella up and down, her gaze turning colder as it rested on my face. “Who are you?” she said crossing her arms.
“Stella Moore, I’m a new secretary, I apologize for the shoes. Is there any way I could make it up to you,” Stella replied politely and calmly, unfazed by the unkind tone from the woman.
“No need.” The woman snapped, shaking her feet.”Clara.” She called.
Another woman bumped into Stella, carrying a shoe box in her hand. She helped the woman put on a change of shoes, also designers.
“I’m Vivian Stone. My father’s one of the major shareholders here, it would be in your best interest not to offend me.” Vivian said, crossing her arms.
Stella smiled. “Nice to meet you.”
Vivian’s eyes narrowed, clearly unimpressed. “Hmm.” She scoffed, strutting away.
Stella stood in place, watching Vivian take a seat. So she was related to a shareholder, this Vivian might be a useful porn.
“Hello, you must be Stella Moore,” A very professional looking woman stood in front of Stella. Her crisp light blue suit stood out among the fashionably dressed women in the room. “I am Mia Dan, Head secretary, Welcome to King’s corporation.” She said extending a hand.
“Yes. Hello. Thank you.” Stella replied, taking the extended hand in hers
“Let me take you to your work station,” Mia said, leading her forward.
The morning passed in a blur of introductions and paperwork. Stella was just beginning to find her footing when a stack of files was slammed on her table. She looked up to see Vivian and Clara standing by her desk.
“Finish sorting out these files before tomorrow,” Vivian said, looking down at Stella, her gaze as if speaking to her servant.
“Apologies, Ms. Mia has already assigned me my tasks. I could help you with some of them if you need help, but I need to finish my own work first.”
Vivian’s face flushed with outrage. “Are you kidding me?” she hissed. “Have you forgotten who I am. I could fire you at any moment”
“I’m kind of busy—” Stella began, but Vivian cut her off with a sharp wave of her hand.
“Save it. You clearly have so much energy to spare, you can handle some extra work.” She smiled sweetly — the kind of smile that promised trouble. “Plus you’re new, this is a chance for you to understand how the company operates”
Stella blinked. “That’s—”. This could be a good chance for her to find some information
“Oh, and you’ll be getting us coffee. I take mine with oat milk and no sugar. Don’t forget. A treat for your coworkers”
“I want a pumpkin spiced latte,” Clara added with a smirk.
The rest of the office snickered as Vivian strutted away with Clara, leaving Stella sitting with a sinking feeling in her gut. Her mission was going to be harder than she had previously expected.
She squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, rolled up her sleeves, and dove into the files.
Hours passed in a blur of numbers, reports, and cross-checking. The office bustled around her — phones rang, heels clicked against the polished floors, and quiet conversations floated through the air. No one paid her any attention.
Until it was time for lunch break.
“I would like cappuccino?” one of the junior assistants demanded, tapping her watch like Stella was some kind of servant.
“Don’t forget my tea!” another called across the room.
Stella went around the office with a notepad getting everyone’s order. Some were polite and said their thanks, but most of them, clearly following in Vivian's footsteps, said their orders rudely.
Stella just finished the coffee run, and stepped inside the elevator, balancing a tray of drinks — When a voice called out
“Please hold it”
She set down the drinks, to click the button to let the elevator door stay open longer
“Thank you!” the man panted, flashing an apologetic smile as he stepped in.