Sienna’s POV 

I stood in the doorway of the Vale Estate with nothing but a small briefcase and a signature that ended my life. I was nothing.

At least for now.

I will get revenge. I will make him beg me. Beg me to stop. Beg me to forgive him.

My grandmother walked out of the door. Poised, calm, confident. Her heels clicked against the floor, her eyes never leaving mine. I expected tears, comfort and…love. And all I got was her icy look with no trace of warmth.

“Good you divorced that boy.” She said when she finally reached me. 

What else was I expecting her to say?

She raised an eyebrow at my silence. “Do you have anything to say?”

I opened my mouth to talk but she cut me off before I could speak. “No use crying over spilled milk. Are you ready to become someone of worth? If you are then you can go inside. If you're not then…” She walked closer to me until she reached my ear. “Go back to where you came from.” She whispered, her hot breath hitting my ear. She stepped back, turned on her heel and walked inside.

I rubbed my arms with my hands trying to soothe the goosebumps that appeared on my skin. I closed my eyes for a few seconds. “I can do this.” I told myself.

It was time for a new me.

I walked into the house with a newfound resolve to see a line of servants, standing on either side of the entrance. They stared at me confused about who I was and whether to bow and attend to me.

Footsteps approached, heels clicking on the floor and my grandmother came into view. “Come, child.” Immediately the servants bowed as I walked past them to my grandmother. I stood in front of her and she circled around me, like I was a piece of meat for sale. Her eyes took in every inch of my body, making the hair on my neck stand.

She didn't ask any question…just assessed me.

I was stunned by the lack of sympathy from my grandmother of all people. Yes…we weren't close but I still expected some sort of emotion from her. It…

It was almost as if she'd been waiting for this moment.

She stepped back after treating me like a museum piece, sighed and shook her head. "A lot of work needs to be done. But for now it's time for breakfast. Come.” She walked away, not sparing me another look.

I walked into the dining hall seeing different plates of food lined up, in buffet style. My grandmother was already sitting at the head of the table, telling the servants which dish she wanted. I sat down at her right side…feeling slightly uncomfortable. I felt like a stranger in my own home.

My grandmother glanced at me before motioning a servant to serve me. But my mind wasn't on the food…it was on the events that had taken place these past few days. And what should be my next plan?

Noticing my silence, my grandmother spoke. “To tell you the truth, I'm planning on retiring and I need a successor. I see that you have potential to lead Vale Corporations to the next level.” She pointed to the air. “To put us on top.”

She dropped her fork and dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief. “I always expected you to end up back here…I just never expected that it would take three years.” She laid emphasis on the three years eyes widening for a moment.

Just then the door opened and Tristan, my cousin, walked in. When he saw me, he quickly put on an expression of fake concern. “Good morning grandmother. I couldn't help but hear that you planned on making Sienna the heritage to Vale corporations…Sienna lacks the experience and…” his eyes swept over my body in disgust. “Loyalty to lead such a prestigious company such as Vale Corporations.”

My grandmother slammed her fist on to the table, her eyes narrowed in anger. “Be quiet, boy!” She shouted enraged. “In your life, never question my judgment again!”

Tristan shrunk back in fear. “I-im sorry grandmother.”

I sighed. I was torn between grief and the pull of finally being valued. But I couldn't help but ponder on Tristan's words. My thoughts were interrupted by my phone vibrating. I pulled out my phone and my blood went cold. Leaked photos of Vanessa and Xavier leaving a hotel was surfacing on the internet. I clenched my fists humiliated, angry and hurt.

From the corner of my eye, I saw grandmother watching me closely, a sort of relief flickering across her face, barely noticeable. Instead of comforting me, she said, “The world will try to make you small…but you get to decide whether or not you allow them.”

My eyes darkened and I looked at her in anger. “I will take over Vale Corporations and rise to the top."

Sienna’s POV 

I told myself that I would rise to the top, but I didn't expect my first battle to happen before lunch.

As soon as breakfast was over, my grandmother wasted no time. “Get up. We have to go to the company. No time to breathe and no time to settle down. Sink or swim, child. As you can see, I don't cuddle.”

 I nodded and quickly followed after her, barely keeping her pace. She was really fast for an old woman. We reached the limousine, and the driver opened the door for us. My grandmother gracefully got in and I followed after her. The whole car ride was awkward and silent. I shifted in my seat, which annoyed my grandmother, causing her to snap at me. 

“It's like I have to give you rules, Sienna. Rule number one: In any situation you find yourself, exude confidence. Now sit up straight and stop moving around like a toddler!”

I immediately sat up straight and tried to calm myself. It's been a long time since I've been to the company and my nerves were running wild. The car came to a stop in front of the company gates. The company hasn't changed that much since I've last been here. It's a 70 story building made out of glass that reflects the sun's light…the building would be intimidating to someone who has never been here before.

I got out of the car and stoop up straight, my head held high. My grandmother gave a small nod of approval and walked ahead of me. I followed her trail exactly, keeping my eyes straight. When we entered the lobby, I could feel the weight of the stares on me as I passed. Whispers erupting from the staff.

“That's Sienna Vale, the granddaughter who just got divorced.”

“I heard she's a witch.”

“She's beautiful.”

“I hope she's nice.”

“Is she going to be the heir to Vale corporations?”

I ignored the whispers and continued walking with grace and confidence until we reached a board meeting room. Grandmother turned to me. 

“You've done well so far. I commend you.” I bowed slightly. “You will be sitting in on this board meeting. It's a strategy meeting. If you have anything to add, feel free to do so. I have another agenda to do this morning. After the meeting, we will meet.”

“Yes, grandmother.”

She turned away and walked down the hallway, disappearing from my sight.

I sighed and took a deep breath, before opening the doorI walked inside with a blank face but I was surprised to see Tristan sitting at the head of the table—a seat that does not belong to him, running the meeting as if he were the CEO. I paused. Just for a moment before giving Tristan a warm smile.

“Tristan. That is grandmother's seat and since she's not able to make it to this meeting, I will be using this seat…since I am leading with her, after all. I'm…sure you understand.” I told him my voice was warm on the source but cold underneath. I didn't need to shout at him to get my message across. Move or I will make you move.

There was a pause and I could practically see the gears running in Tristan's head as he argued with himself on whether or not he should stand up. Finally, he gritted his teeth and stood up. 

“I was just keeping the seat warm.” He says and sits down in the chair next to it.

A few executives cast glances at each other. This wad the first time Tristan backed down from anything.

“I'm sure you were.” I sat down on the chair and immediately opened the meeting. “Thank you everyone for taking your time to attend this meeting. I am Sienna Vale, granddaughter of Eleanor Vale and I will be presiding this meeting in place of my grandmother who is unavoidably absent.”

The executives smiled and greeted me. I turned to Tristan, who was sulking. 

“Tristan.” 

He immediately put on a poker face. “Yes?” 

“I will need you to walk me over the current projects ongoing.” I said while reading through the company notes.

He cleared his throat and smirked. “Of course. We have two ongoing projects.”

From the corner of my eye, I noticed one of the executives cast a look of disappointment towards Tristan. But Tristan didn't notice it.

“The first project is the Meridian Tower Development. It is a luxury estate that will take Vale Corporations to the next level. It's the sort of expansion that Vale Corporations need. The second project is The Hart Textiles Acquisition. Vale Corporations is in talks to acquire an existing textile company…and it is doing very well.”

I leaned my head on my hand and bore my eyes into him. “Is that all?” I asked him coldly, tapping my hand on the table.

He cleared his throat and adjusted his tie, a bead of sweat dropping from his forehead and falling on to his temple.

“W-Well…”

“Well what?” I challenged him.

“O-oh I forgot to mention there is one more project!” He said pretending to just remember. 

“Tristan.”

“Y-yes?” He asked fear, filling his whole face.

“Please excuse us.”

“No! Please I'm sorry I will be honest.” He reached his hand out to me but I slapped it away.

I laughed coldly. “Don't let me tell you again. Leave.” 

He hung his head and stood up and walked out.

I turned to the executive, who had given Tristan a look of disappointment. “Sir…what's your name?”

A look of shock flashed across his face. “P-peter, ma'am.”

“Okay Peter, you will be my right hand man from now on. I will be counting on you to lead and guide me through the right path.” I told him with a small smile.

He nodded, his eyes bright with happiness. “I will do my best.”

“Alright. Let's finish this meeting.” I told the executives, who were in better spirits. 

In an office, somewhere in the building Eleanor Vale was grinning from ear to ear as she watched the meeting from her phone.

“Finally. Vale Corporations will be great. Everything is unfolding as I planned.”