Chapter 3: Preparing for Rainy Days
924words
"Baby, you look different today," he said, taking my hand with practiced affection. "Even more stunning than usual."
I fought the urge to yank my hand away and forced a smile. "Really? Must be my new hairstyle."
"It's not just how you look." He studied me intently. "Something about you feels completely different. More... confident."
I laughed bitterly inside. Well, dying once tends to change a person. How could I possibly still be that naive, foolish girl from before?
"Richard," I said, meeting his gaze directly, "I heard you're heading the collaboration with my father's company?"
He visibly flinched before recovering with a smooth smile. "Yes, but that's just business. I don't want work interfering with us."
"Why keep it from me?" I feigned hurt. "We've been together for three months."
"I didn't want you thinking I approached you because of your father's connections." He squeezed my hand tightly, his eyes brimming with fake sincerity. "You know how much I love you."
How much he loves me? Enough to drive a knife through my heart with his own hands? I laughed bitterly inside while displaying a touched expression. "I understand. Is this project important to you?"
"Extremely." A flash of naked ambition crossed his face—one I recognized all too well. "This could be my chance to finally prove my worth to the Montgomery family."
"Then I hope everything works out for you," I smiled sweetly. "By the way, I heard there's another Montgomery—William, right?"
Richard's expression instantly hardened. "How do you know about him?"
"Sophie mentioned him," I shrugged casually. "Is he someone important?"
"William Montgomery..." Richard's voice dripped with contempt. "He's James Montgomery's legitimate son, but he rarely bothers with the company. He suddenly returned from abroad recently. God knows what he's planning."
I nodded without pressing further. After lunch, Richard offered to drive me home, and this time I accepted. In the car, he suddenly said, "Emily, there's a product launch at the company next week. Want to come as my date?"
"Sure." I agreed readily. "Actually, I'd love to learn more about what you do."
Back home, I headed straight for Dad's study. After knocking and entering, I found him reviewing documents.
"Dad, got a minute? I'd like to talk."
Dad set down the papers. "What's on your mind?"
"About the Montgomery Enterprises deal." I sat down across from him. "I've been studying business lately. Thought maybe I could help somehow."
Dad looked at me with surprise. "Since when are you interested in corporate deals?"
"I... want to understand what you do." I lied, then got straight to the point. "Dad, could I see the contract?"
Dad hesitated briefly before pulling a document from his drawer. "This is just the initial draft. Still being revised."
Drawing on memories from my previous life and what I'd learned since, I quickly spotted the problem: clause seventeen regarding fund allocation was deliberately ambiguous, creating a massive loophole. In my previous life, Richard had exploited this exact clause to frame Dad for misappropriation.
"Dad, I have a question." I pointed to the clause. "This part saying 'project funds may be flexibly allocated by the cooperating parties'—isn't that dangerously vague?"
Dad looked surprised, then carefully reread the clause. "You're right. This wording is far too loose."
"Dad, you need to have the legal team review this contract again. Especially this clause."
Dad considered this. "Good point. I'll have Mark look it over again."
"No, Dad." I said firmly. "For something this critical, you need to review it yourself. Or better yet, bring in an outside lawyer."
Leaving the study, I exhaled deeply. First step complete. Now I needed to dig up information on William Montgomery.
I headed to the company archives, using Dad's access credentials to get in. While digging through files on Montgomery Enterprises, an old report caught my eye.
The report detailed a failed collaboration between Reed Technologies and the Montgomery family ten years ago—one that had resulted in devastating losses for Reed. The person overseeing that project? James Montgomery himself.
This was completely new information—something I'd never known in my previous life. Had there been a long-standing grudge between Dad and the Montgomerys? Was there more to Richard's interest in me than I'd realized?
While pondering this, my phone rang. Sophie Wilson.
"Emily, I dug up some dirt on William Montgomery," she said excitedly. "Montgomery Enterprises has a product launch next Friday, and he'll be there. My friend can score us invites. Wanna check him out?"
"Richard already invited me," I replied coolly.
"Really?" Sophie sounded genuinely surprised. "Perfect! We can go together. Oh, and get this—I heard William Montgomery came back specifically to take over some major project. Probably the collaboration with your dad's company."
After hanging up, I sank into thought. Why was Sophie suddenly so interested in William Montgomery? In my previous life, she'd only had eyes for Richard. Was the script already changing this time around?
On my way home, a text from Richard lit up my phone: "Darling, there's a business banquet tomorrow night. I'd love you to join me. William Montgomery will be there—perfect chance for you to meet this mysterious figure."
I smiled thinly and replied: "Sure, looking forward to it."
This time around, I wouldn't be a lamb led to slaughter. I would be the hunter, not the prey.
