6
421words
The Hamilton Group was legendary. Its founder, a corporate genius, built an empire unseen in under a year.
Mystery bred obsession.
I'd even never told Mr Wright about my true identity.
I'd been Harvard-bound at 13, studying finance, economics.
Though the Wrights had wealth, my ambition was vaster – my own empire.
Mr Wright never pried.
Leo was sharp too. We met abroad. He was illegitimate, unrecognized, raised abroad by his mother.
He returned to prove himself.
He succeeded.
I gave him shares. He managed brilliantly.
To avoid Vance family meddling, his role stayed hidden.
His "illegitimate" status only surfaced at my engagement.
Leo worked fast. Southside was sold to Gavin Payne for a billion.
Isabella and Gavin bought it together. Fearing that Mr Wright would stop them, Isabella forged company seals.
I knew it. Competition made Gavin rabid. Isabella would fund him.
Payne Corp, already wounded, wouldn't survive this...
The conference day arrived.
Backstage, Leo offered his arm. I took it.
We stepped on stage.
The buzzing room fell silent.
A confused reporter spoke,
"Miss Wright? Mr Vance? Do you get the wrong venue?"
"This is the Hamilton Group founder's conference."
The room chuckled.
I'd anticipated this. Sarah, my secretary, stepped forward.
"This is our founder, Amelia Hamilton. And our CEO, Leo Vance."
Silence. Sarah was a known figure. Her word was law.
I took the mic, smiling calmly.
"Thank you all. Apologies for the surprise. I am Amelia Hamilton."
"Miss Hamilton! The founder is you? Are the recent rumors true? Why reveal yourself now?"
"I stayed behind the scenes. I step forward now not just to meet you."
"My relationship with Mr Wright is purely father-daughter."
"The mansion? Please. Do you think I can't afford one?"
"Rumors are rumors. Don't spread lies."
"To all media: I stated I left the Wrights. I am my own person now."
"Slander persists? My lawyers will act."
Satisfied, reporters moved on. We discussed future plans.
Finally, it ended.
As I left, a figure lunged from the crowd. Leo shielded me instantly.
"Amelia! You hid well! Why didn't you tell me you're a Hamilton?!"
Gavin stood there, eyes bloodshot, furious.
Leo looked disgusted.
"Thank god we didn't. How else see the real you?"
"This is between me and Amelia!"
"She's my fiancée. You're nobody. Buzz off."
"You..."
Leo always won arguments.
"Leo's right. Why should I tell you? Did you ever care about me, or just the Wright name?"
"You're with Isabella. Be faithful. Flip-flopping isn’t appropriate."
