Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion >>
‘Danika Zellweger?” Simone murmured her name and came to her senses quickly. “Eustace’s ex-wife?”
Danika was speechless. Was she doomed to be known as Eustace’s ex-wife, no matter how hard she worked?
“What do you want from me? Say it.” Simone’s attitude didn’t change even after knowing Danika’s identity. She didn’t care who she was.
Danika said straightforwardly, “I think it’s a pity that the Blooms have fallen under Sam’s control. Aren’t you just the tiniest bit interested in them?”
Simone’s face shifted slightly at these words, but not in a good way.
Simone’s eyes were filled with hatred as she looked at Danika. “What’s that supposed to mean? What’s wrong with Sam being in charge? He’s the rightful heir.”
Danika frowned. She was a little surprised at Simone’s words. “You work at Bloom Conglomerate. Anyone who knows you knows of your abilities. Haven’t you ever considered taking over the company?”
Simone jumped from her chair and glared at Danika. “Cut the crap, I’m warning you. Sam is my brother. It’s only right that he inherits the company. Why would I think otherwise?”
Danika couldn’t help laughing at how serious her reply was. “Oh, really? Do you honestly not think. that? Or are you just afraid?” Simone was angry and wanted to retort, but Danika said, “I think it’s because your father warned you early on not to have any ideas about taking over the company.”
“You…”
“In fact, he forbade you from disclosing your identity to anyone. He made you a cog in the machine and treated you unfairly. You hate him, don’t you?”
Simone couldn’t answer, but Danika was right-that was indeed the situation. Since she was young, her sexist father told her that she would never inherit the company, and she could never tell anyone her identity. Once she came of age, she was kicked out of the family. But then, they made her work at Bloom Conglomerate and even appointed her as one of the executives. However, her father had ulterior motives. He just wanted Sam to have someone useful by his side when he took over.
Simone would forever live in her brother’s shadow.
“What do you want from saying all this?” she asked weakly.
“I’d like to help you. I don’t think someone like you should always conform to others’ wishes.” It was honestly what Danika was there for.
Simone didn’t believe her. She scoffed, “You’re here because of Yvonne, aren’t you?”
Although she wasn’t part of the Blooms, she worked at the company and knew of Sam’s and Yvonne’s marriage. It was an easy guess with Danika and Eustace’s history, along with Yvonne’s. “That’s also true.” Danika didn’t deny it. “I had laid everything to rest after the Dickmans went bankrupt, but she insisted on slighting me after marrying into the Blooms. She even tried to harm me. I can’t just stand around and watch.” Danika said.
Simone believed her, but she didn’t agree just yet. She merely smiled, saying, “Yvonne and I are cut from the same cloth. Her entire life, she has been looked down on by her family, and that’s how she became who she is today. Why do you think I’d help you?”
Danika shook her head. “You wouldn’t be helping me. You’d be helping yourself.”
“I like things just the way they are. I don’t care about Bloom Conglomerate,” Simone said.
Danika wasn’t angered by her words. “Really? Then why would you hate your father? Why would you complain about Sam being trash?”
“You!” Simone was anxious now. She looked at her personal trainer. Only he knew all this.
“Don’t deny it anymore. You have a wild side. It’s just that you were never given an opportunity to shine. Well, here it is.” Danika’s enticing words rang in her ear, and Simone was moved.
She didn’t let it cloud her judgment. “You think you can help me take over Bloom Conglomerate?” she asked calmly.
“That’s not for me to say but to do.” Danika handed Simone a document. As she flipped through it, Danika said, “These are the board members of Bloom Conglomerate and their personal details. As long as half of them agree to elect you as the CEO, the company will be yours for the taking.” She didn’t need to take action against the Blooms. She just needed to get them to change their CEO.
“That’s easy for you to say. Why would they vote for me? I don’t even have any shares in the company.” Simone was bitter about it. Every Bloom was supposed to get a share of the company, but her father hadn’t given it to her.
Danika smiled. “Don’t worry. Shares can be bought.”
Bloom Conglomerate wasn’t some hotshot company. As long as one had money, one of the shareholders would be willing to sell their shares.
“And these people?” Simone pointed at the document.
“I’ll give you all of their details and blackmail material that you need. You know the rest, don’t you?” They would never dare to protest as long as she knew their secrets.
Simone looked at Danika in disbelief. “You found all of their dirty secrets?”
“There’s bound to be dirt on people in such high positions of power.” And if there was none, Danika believed that someone like that would vote for Simone.
Simone nodded. She was shocked that Danika was able to do all this.
Danika clearly had no intention of telling her anything more. She made to leave, but before that, she said, “Oh, and I just received some news. Sam has just given Yvonne some of his shares.”
“What?” Simone was stunned. “Is he crazy? He gave his shares to an outsider!
“You said before that you and Yvonne are cut from the same cloth. But I think that there are clear differences between you two.” Danika smiled. “At least you’re not someone who achieves her goal through unscrupulous means.”
“What do you mean?” Simone frowned, sensing something deeper behind Danika’s words.
“Why do you think Yvonne married Sam? Do you think she just wanted emotional support?” Danika didn’t answer, instead asking her a question.
Simone went silent and thought about it, and her face turned grim. “Are you saying that she’s plotting against Bloom Conglomerate?”
“You’re right.” Danika nodded. “So, if you don’t seize the company now, it’s only a matter of time before Yvonne takes over.”
Simone’s face was as black as thunder. She hated her father and thought Sam was trash, but she didn’t want the Blooms to fall into someone else’s hands. She was hesitant about working with Danika, but now she was certain. “What should I do? I’ll go with your plan.” She looked at Danika with
determination in her eyes.
Danika was happy to see it but didn’t disclose her plan in detail. “It’ll be you in charge of the company in the future. If you don’t have any ideas of your own, you won’t sustain the company for long, even if I help you obtain it. All I can do is provide you with information and help where needed. You’ll have to be on your own after that. Do you trust me?”
Danika walked out of the gym after ending her conversation with Simone. She was about to hail a cab when Eustace’s car stopped before her.
“Are you done talking?” Eustace rolled down his window.
Danika nodded, then realization dawned upon her. “When did you come? No, how did you know I was here?” She didn’t tell Eustace that she was coming to see Simone, much less where she would go.
“I just found out you were with her when I sent someone out to investigate her.” Eustace didn’t think that such a coincidence would happen, either. He wanted to find Simone before Danika did, but Danika was still faster.
Danika didn’t press the matter. Even if Eustace sent someone out to spy on her, Danika would believe he was considering her safety.
Wait. Since when had she become so trusting of him?
Eustace opened the door for her. Danika sat in his car and didn’t ask where they were going.
“How did the conversation go?” Eustace asked.
Danika nodded. “It was just as I thought. She has an ambitious side but was never given an opportunity. Now that it’s fallen right into her lap, she has no reason to refuse.”
Eustace wasn’t surprised. It wasn’t because he understood Simone, but because he understood Danika. She could do anything she put her mind to, and Eustace didn’t doubt her from the start. He merely thought that his help would lessen her burden.
The car wasn’t heading toward Perry Residences. “Where are we going?” Danika asked.
“Dinner,” Eustace said.
“We’re not eating at home?” She thought Eustace would cook like usual, but Eustace shook his head. He didn’t say where they were going.
The car moved out of the city. It was then that Danika’s curiosity was piqued. They were evidently going to eat at an unusual place.
Ten minutes later, the car stopped.
Danika realized that they were standing before a manor. They were surrounded by trees, and it felt like they were transported to a different world.
“Are we eating here?” Danika asked Eustace curiously. The place didn’t seem like a restaurant to her.
Eustace brought her in, and a butler moved forward. “Master.”