Deigo stood before the mirror, adjusting his tie.
His eyes hardened.
Today, he would reclaim his empire.
He strode into the Blackwood Corporation, his presence commanding attention.
The corridor fell silent.
Employees avoided eye contact, their heads bowed down as he walked further in his presence, exuding dominance. Anyone would think twice before crossing his line.
Deigo had made it clear to Louis that no one questioned his authority.
He was the boss, but not for now; he is the personal assistant of Marcus.
His steps came to a halt as his eyes fell upon Sophia, and Benjamin clinging to each other, stirring rage within him.
Benjamin looked over his shoulder, noticing Deigo. He stopped turning to face Deigo fully while Sophia got the hint and turned too surprised to come face to face with her ex-husband.
"If it isn't the church rat," Benjamin mocked.
Deigo's eyes were fixated on Sophia, his nose flaring with anger and despise.
Deigo didn't want to create a scene or trigger Benjamin and Sophia into getting kicked out because it would only take a snap of his finger to have them banned anywhere near the Blackwood Corp, so he remained compassed.
Benjamin snorts at Deigo.
"What brings you to Blackwood Corporation, Deigo? Slumming it?"
Sophia snickered.
"Or perhaps you're here for a job application?" Benjamin taunted.
Deigo's expression remained stoic. He knew they were trying to push him to the wall, and it was worming.
The employees went silent, hearing Benjamin badmouth their CEO with a glint of fear in each of their eyes, knowing it wasn't going to work well for them.
Benjamin continued, "If so, I'll make sure you don't get it. The Blackwood won't hire failures, and it's funny you think you will get hired. Anyway, sorry to burst your bubble; you will never get a spot here. The CEO and I are very good friends, and I will make sure you don't get the job, so to save you the trouble, I suggest you walk away and avoid getting embarrassed and disappointed."
Sophia chuckled.
Deigo's silence infuriated Benjamin.
"Friends?" Deigo scoffed, fighting the urge to chuckle.
"Yes, or do you have a problem with that?"
Deigo remains mute.
"Cat got your tongue, Deigo?" Benjamin mocked.
Deigo's smirk was subtle.
Marcus burst out from the elevator, Deigo well aware that he must have seen the scene occurring from the monitor, his face thunderous.
"Why are you harassing my assistant?" He thundered.
Benjamin's eyes widened.
"Your assistant? You mean this...this..."
Benjamin gestured to Deigo.
"Church rat? Poor man?"
Marcus's eyes narrowed.
"Or do you have a problem with my employee?"
Sophia stepped forward.
"Mr. Blackwood, we were just discussing—"
Marcus cut her off.
"No, you were harassing my assistant, and I don't deal with business partners that don't have regard for my workers. In Blackwood Corp., we treat each other with respect and consideration regardless of their status."
Benjamin's face reddened.
Deigo walked to Marcus and held on to his arm, signifying that he should let it be; they shouldn't be getting into fights with them, not when they want to beat them at their own game.
They still haven't reached the bottom of it.
Marcus didn't seem pleased that Deigo stopped him, sending him a glare. He nodded.
"Let's proceed to the boardroom; I don't have time for this."
Deigo's eyes locked onto Benjamin, who looked like he was about to rip him apart.
He smirked before walking away, tail behind Marcus.
Deigo stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor.
Was it because it's been a while since he indulged in such a long meeting, or was it the presence of the crook and her hungry fiance that irritated him?
He felt suffocated by their irritating presence.
He walked out of the meeting room, leaving stunned faces behind. He could feel the glares and daggers Benjamin sent his way, but he didn't care; all it took was a single order, and he would disappear like he never happened.
Sophia quickly followed, her heels clicking down the corridor.
Deigo spun around, his eyes flashing as he felt her presence.
Why did she follow him? What now does she want?
He hissed in frustration.
"What do you want, Sophia?"
Sophia's smile twisted. "You are a sorry excuse, Deigo; I never loved you. I was blinded by your piety for you, and I also had hope that someday you'd finally live up to your potential and make money, but no, always leaching off me and my family... Cut the act, Deigo; I know you stole money from me before you left. I am not going to ask you to give it a try; don't you worry, but you should know that no amount of effort will you make to keep this job; I will make sure you perish and come down to your knees begging me to take you back... I will rip you off any source of happiness or contentment; will make your life a living hell, Deigo." She breathes, her eyes holding so much disgust and meanness.
Deigo was stunned by her words; each word of hers was a reminder of how much of a failure he was to have broken the rules for Sophia.
Deigo's expression hardened.
"You used me, Sophia, you—-," he trails off.
Sophia's voice rose.
"You were just a means to an end. And when you became useless, I let you go, Deigo. You don't belong in a world that holds so much power and wealth; your status doesn't fit here, so I am going to give you a choice to walk away and never show your disgusting face, or do what I intend to do."
Her words cut deep.
Deigo's fists clenched.
Sophia's eyes sparkled maliciously.
"I fucking dare you, Sophia," he says, his veins popping out in fury.
Just then Sophia burst into sobs, her body shuddering as she wailed, "Somebody help, help me please," she cried out.