Chapter 3 The Set up

The convoy leaves the city and my shattered love life behind. The hum of the Rolls Royce’s engine a low purr, a sound as refined and confident as the woman it carried, me... Rita Williamson. Inside, in the buttery leather seat, I watch as the city lights recede in the rear view mirror, my lips curved into a faint smile. The journey is more than a drive, it’s like a transition from one kingdom to another, from a world where I’m just an ordinary woman to the world my late father had built from his hard work.

In no time, I see the gates appear, two towering wrought iron pieces that stood over the entrance of my estate. They slowly swing open as the convoy glides through, the drive way decorated with ribbons and sculpted trees whose branches seem to bow in welcome. Robin must have prepared all this the moment I put a call through. The air around shifts and is now cleaner and sweeter, and then my house comes into view. It’s not just a building, it’s a sprawling Georgian masterpiece. The front of the building, a beautiful mix of bright light and deep shadows, every window a warm and golden glow. The sight of it sends a thrill of great pride through me. The smile on my face is no longer as faint as it was, it’s now a full and radiant gleam. This is my empire, every blade of grass, every carved stone lion, every square feet of perfectly manicured grounds... it’s all mine.

As the convoy comes to a stop in front of the grand entrance, a line of uniformed staff emerges with a silent guard of honour. The head butler, a man whose loyalty to me is as deep as my estate foundations, stands at the front line, his hands clasped respectfully and a bright smile on his face. The entire scene is like a grand welcome back to an empress returning back to her throne. Robin opens the door and I step out as the staff bow in unison. I slowly look over the scene, feeding my eyes with every little detail and checking for what is out of place, but everything is perfect. I see that there are new security camera which I had ordered for while I was still at the Richard mansion, the freshly pruned rose bushes and a newly polished brass plaque on the front door.

My mind quickly goes back to Richard and his little mansion. He has always dreamed of a life like mine, to own everything I own today but dreams, as much as I know, are the currency of the weak. I remember him telling me of his great plans to acquire so much wealth to his name, I always thought it was probably a life changing deal he was about to sign but no, he was talking about Rita Williamson’s property... my property. Now, he’s a footnote in my story, a tale of a man who had confused a woman’s affection for a woman’s weakness.

With a final nod to the staff, I ascended the steps, the grand doors opening to receive me. The air inside was warm and scented with lilies, a fragrance of luxury and victory. Then I begin my main plan.

I make another phone call to, Klark, my secretary. “Arrange for a board meeting immediately,” I end the call, my mood more serious as I ascended the elevator to my private chamber.

My walk in closet is a whole room on its own, each garment arranged according to colour. My hand didn’t reach for a splash of colour or a showy print, instead, it moved to a suit. A perfect mid night blue fabric from a little known European atelier. The wool is as fine as silk, the jacket tailored to fit my body form and the trousers fall in a single clean line.

For me, dressing for a board meeting like this one isn’t a matter of fashion but of strategy. On my wrist, I wore a single accessory, a watch. It wasn’t dripping with diamonds, its face is a simple, elegant masterpiece of Swiss engineering that cost more than a small home. It’s a piece that commanded respect, not attention.

The members of the board arrive at my presidential lounge less than twenty minutes after I make that phone call, they know better than to arrive late to any of my meetings.

Present at the board table of a list of my father’s most trusted men, men who know me as Rita Williamson and not Elena Cooper. There’s Klark, my secretary, Liam, my father’s personal assistant, Noel, Blake and Dante, men of very high calibre. My security and legal team is also present.

“I’ve called this meeting today to strategist know the downfall of my ex husband, Richard Blackwood,” I say with a straight face and I pause for a moment, watching each of them exchange glances bi they know better than to question my decisions.

“I changed my identify for almost a year now,” I begin, my hands folded on the table. “Pretending to be some Elena Cooper, just so I could find someone who is worthy of my love without being after my father’s wealth,” I pause and stare deep into their eyes and then I continue.

“For a while, I thought I found that man and we even got married, until I decided to text him through an anonymous sender as my true self, Rita. Promising to give him half of my property if he divorces his wife,” I pause and let their soft gasps sink in, while also trying to hold back my tears.

“And just this morning, as I had predicted, the divorce papers were thrown at my face,” a hot drop of tear I’ve been holding since this morning falls of my left eye and I wipe it off with the back of my hand, pretending to be strong.

“He thinks Rita would be holding a convention to give him half her properties but I would be holding that convention just to publicly humiliate him.”

They exchange glances once more and then we begin to share strategies on how to male this convention a huge success for me. The meeting end with me sending Richard a text through my account as the real me, Rita. “The big convention is in just a week, get ready.”