Chapter 14 – Company Fiasco and Shopping Spree
I got home from dinner with Mateo and went straight to my grandfather’s study.
My father was already there, sipping espresso and reading reports.
The moment I walked in, they both looked up.
“I need to talk to you both,” I said.
My grandfather sat forward. “How did it go with Mateo?”
I sat down across from them. “It went well. More than well. He told me everything-why he hates Lorenzo’s family, how our family saved him… and how much power he’s gained.”
My father’s eyes narrowed. “Did he tell you about his mother?”
nodded. “Lorenzo’s father raped her when she was just a maid. She was thrown out when she got pregnant. They tried to have her abort Mateo but he survived and they killed her instead. Now he wants revenge just as badly as I do.”
My grandfather sighed. “He’s waited a long time. Just like we have.”
‘He wants us to strike during Lorenzo’s grandfather’s 80th birthday banquet,” I added. “It’s in tw days.”
‘And what do you want to do, Princess?” my father asked.
‘I want to crush Lorenzo’s company first. Then destroy what’s left of his life after that. The truth about Renata and everything else… that comes last. I want them to be ruined before the world even knows why.”
My grandfather chuckled. “She’s a Calderon, alright.”
‘But we haven’t gotten the invites to the banquet yet, I don’t know if they’d invite us,” I said.
My father placed a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry about the invites to the banquet. Just rest. We’ll handle it.”
The next morning, I was dressed in a sleek black suit as my father and grandfather took me to :he Calderon Enterprises tower.
My stomach twisted a little as I stepped out of the car. I’d never run a business before. But :oday? I was walking in as the Calderon heiress.
Everyone in the building paused when I entered.
Some gasped. Some whispered.
And when we got to the boardroom, it was already filled with top executives and shareholders.
The room went dead silent when I walked in with my grandfather and father on either side.
“This is Sophia Calderon,” my grandfather announced. “My granddaughter. The rightful heiress to our legacy.”
I could feel the tension shift. Some people looked at me with awe. Others with doubt.
And then someone scoffed.
A short, red-faced man in a navy blue tie stood up from the table.
“With all due respect, sir, a woman can’t run this company. Especially not one with no experience. We’re tied to mafia families, our deals are dangerous, and this girl—”
I didn’t let him finish.
I walked to the table, picked up a letter opener, and in one swift move, threw it across the room- piercing the center of the wall chart with perfect aim missing the man’s forehead by mere
inches.
The room went still.
“I may not have a history in boardrooms,” I said, calm but clear, “but I was raised in fire. I’ve survived worse than any of you could imagine. And if anyone here thinks I don’t have what it takes, feel free to resign today but be ready to leave in a bodybag.”
The man sat back down, eyes wide. No one else spoke..
My grandfather smiled proudly. “Meeting adjourned.”
Afterwards, my father clapped me on the back. “That was impressive.”
“Very Calderon,” my grandfather added. “You handled that better than most men I’ve seen.”
They handed me a black envelope. The invitation was thick, expensive. Golden trim and the Moretti crest.
“Your official invitation to the party,” my father said. “It’s time for the world to see you again.”
I took it in my hand and smiled. “Then I need the perfect dress.”
I arrived at the luxury mall with one mission: to look unforgettable.
I browsed through store after store until I saw it.
A silver dress hanging like royalty on a mannequin. It was unique-off-shoulder, high-slit, made from velvet and silk, dripping with gold embroidery. The tag said it was the only one of its kind.
I tried it on and stared at myself in the mirror. For a second, I didn’t recognize the woman staring
back.
Just then, I heard a familiar voice echo from outside the changing room.
“I want that dress,” the woman said. “Charge me double if you must. I’ll take it now.”
The staff hesitated. “Uh… someone’s already trying it on-”
“I don’t care. I want it,” she snapped.
I stepped out slowly.
Renata’s eyes landed on me.
She froze.
Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
I crossed my arms and gave her a cool look. “What’s wrong, Renata? Seeing a ghost?”
“You’re supposed to be dead, she gasped.
“Maybe I am,” I shrugged. “Maybe I came back just to haunt you.”
Her face twisted in rage. “Take off that dress! You can’t afford that. How dare you show your face here! Why won’t you just die!!”
I walked forward slowly, each step echoing on the marble floor.
“You don’t get to tell me what I can or can’t do anymore,” I said calmly. “Not here. Not ever again.”
“You don’t belong in a place like this!” she snapped. “You’re nothing. You’re just Lorenzo’s whor
I slapped her.
She stumbled slightly, eyes wide with shock.
I stepped closer. “You don’t get to call me names. You don’t get to raise your voice at me. An the next time you try to disrespect me in public, Renata, I’ll ruin you before you even know it’s happening.”
Her lips trembled. “Lorenzo will-”
I slapped her again.
“Lorenzo won’t do anything,” I interrupted. “Because the next time he sees me… I won’t be th woman who begged for mercy.”
She glared at me, cheeks red. “You’re bluffing.”
I slapped her for the third time.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg, Renata, if you know what’s good for you, then avoid me.”
I turned to the cashier and handed over my black card.
“Wrap it,” I said. “I’ll take it.”
As I walked out of the boutique, I didn’t look back.
Lorenzo’s Pov
