Chapter 75 - Fireball
Lina left the house without another word. She didn't even look back. She got into the chauffeur's car, told him to drive to DeHaven Conglomerate, and the rest would be decided from there on out.
In the car ride, Lina reflected on her life actions. She was so worried about disappointing people that she had been blind to the fact that they had consistently disappointed her. What was the point of gaining favorability if she did nothing with it?
Lina tucked her fingers together, an alarming realization surfacing. Her ability hadn't been activated the entire day. Her blood ran cold. But she wanted to see Kaden's future again. The more she saw, the more she'd try to change it.
RING! RING!
Lina took the phone out of her pocket.
"Hello, Uncle," Lina greeted on the first ring.
"You sure know how to shake up this family," William mused, leaning back in his chair and glancing down at the nice, cushy package he just got.
"I heard from Lawrence that you're set on becoming the heiress now?" William stated, smiling at how different she was from everyone he knew.
Much more different than the first Chairwoman of Feili, who at the time was also the first and only Chairwoman of an infamous company called Zhao Corporation even though she never wanted that position.
"You better watch out, Uncle. I'm coming for your seat," Lina said, crossing her legs and staring out the window.
Disappointment weighed heavily on her shoulders.
Lina didn't think her own family would do this to her. They'd force her into a marriage she had objected to more than once. There was no one in this family she could rely on without doubting their intentions.
Lina felt all alone. No one she could turn to. No one she could talk about her burdens with. No one except a man named Kaden DeHaven.
Lina was startled at the final thought. It had come out of nowhere.
"Go ahead," William laughed. "I am just warming this chair for you."
Lina smiled a bit at his words, but it was empty—out of courtesy, and not from her heart. She continued to look out the window.
"You're suddenly amicable," Lina realized. "What caused it? Did my husband have anything to do with it?"
William smiled. This girl was just so wise. "He did, actually. I received lovely shares of Dehaven Conglomerate and collaboration for real estate in the district that's being redeveloped for wealthy schools to migrate to."
Lina raised her brows. In this country, people couldn't just go to the school they wanted. Prestigious and highly-ranked schoolings' admission was highly determined by whether or not the student living in the area. If all of the best schools were gathered in one spot, that district's real estate would be off the roof.
"I see," Lina said, realizing why her Uncle yielded so quickly.
What are a few meager shares in Leclare Law Firm in comparison to passive income and extreme increase of net worth?
This was Kaden DeHaven's way of winning over the brains of the family.
Lina expected as much. With the power that Kaden possessed, Lina was more curious about him. Why did he show up five years ago, out of nowhere? He did realize people were going to expect him to age at some point… right?
"Come and visit me some time, Lina. Your husband is going to have at least a 500% increase in his net worth. Everyone will be looking at you now, his wife," William said, examining the newly gifted chess pieces sitting in front of him, crafted from crystals, courtesy of Kaden DeHaven.
Even for a wealthy man like William, he wondered if Kaden's pockets were limitless.
"Soon, they'll be looking at me, not because I am his wife, but because I am Lina Yang, the future Chairwoman of Yang Enterprise," Lina confidently said. She knew her Uncle preferred these traits.
Arrogance above all, reassurance in oneself, William liked traits that mirrored his. When most felt threatened, William felt relieved. At least the future generation wasn't going to be ruined.
"I like your thinking. Keep that head on your body and you'll best even the most cunning of scheming relatives," William said. His phone began to buzz again and he pulled back to see it was a cousin contacting him.
"As we speak, your distant aunts and uncles are already calling me," William snorted. They were threatened by Lina's presence.
Lina joined the heir's race late, but she was already on the front lines.
"Have fun," Lina said, hanging up and leaving him to the storm.
Lina hoped her relatives would continue to harass William. It'd be payback for making the decision to marry her off to Everett——
[Fireball wife: I'm going to your office.]
A phone dinged in the presentation. Everyone went quiet. Who dared to have a conversation in the middle of an important meeting like this?! Did they not fear the great wrath of Kaden DeHaven?
Every pair of eyes snapped to the phone. The phone sitting in front of their Boss.
"Proceed," Kaden said, his voice composed and mellow.
Instantly, the presenters acted as nothing happened. They continued with the presentation slides, even though their eyes kept on sneaking back to their Boss. What was going on?
Who could their Boss be texting at this hour? Then, they witnessed something that had never happened. Their Boss, the heartless and frigid man, was actually smiling!
His frigid expression was gone. How was this possible?! Thank the Heavens, it might snow in the middle of Spring soon.
[My beloved hubby: Come sooner.]
Lina's lips twitched at his wording. Maybe she had a dirty mind, or maybe he spoke too indirectly.
[Fireball wife: And if I don't?]
Another ding.
The presenters secretly glanced at their Boss again. Oh my god! Their eyes widened and their mouths dropped open. Everyone in the room was flabbergasted.
In the dark and dreary meeting room, their Boss was smiling. Like, an actual smile! His eyes were even softened. For once, he resembled a normal man. Forget snow in Spring, tomorrow, the world was going to be destroyed!
This unprecedented event shocked everyone to their core. They had never seen such adoration on their frightening boss's face.
"Return back to the slides," Kaden snarled, without even looking up from his phone.
"R-right away," the presenters said, quickly scrambling back to what he was initially talking about.
The presenters were discussing the mishaps over the flowers and how quickly the vendors supplied them with better quality products, but was half the price due to the inconvenience.
[My beloved hubby: I'll make you come faster myself.]
Lina pressed her legs together, feeling a pulse in between her thighs. What the hell… she didn't even think that place had a pulse. Her face went red at his words.
[Fireball wife: Do you have to make everything have double meanings?]
[My beloved hubby: It only has double meanings because you want it to.]
Lina let out a small laugh. This man was aggravating. Annoying but he still affected her. She felt her heart stir at his wording. She slipped her phone away upon seeing they were nearing the office.
Lina had initially come to convince him of something, but after texting him, she wasn't too sure anymore. Holding back a small sigh, she wondered more about Kaden's future. Why was she crying in front of an altar by herself?