"Who did?" Natasha asked again noting the fear in Ruth eyes. It was unlike her to dodge questions unless something serious was happening.
"The Chairman" Ruth replied quietly tapping one foot against the other anxiously.
Natasha leaned back on her chair fiddling with her ballpoint pen. She didn't know what to think or what cards her father had up his sleeves.
'Should I move the time forward?" Ruth quickly picked her phone as her boss displayed varying emotions all at once.
"Don't!" Natasha held up her hands stopping her immediately.
"He won't approve. Anything else?" She asked instead. Ruth shook her head in the negative.
"Kindly inform Smart and Verna. We're leaving by 9" She said finally.
Natasha sighed as the door closed.
"Alpha, you won't be the end of me" She stated gazing at the company logo that adorned the wall opposite her.
They arrived at Evolve at exactly 10. The environment was in a frenzy as the reporters were currently interviewing Rita Wills.
Natasha observed her closely. Her facial expressions mirrored one who enjoyed the attention and fame the scandal brought to her name.
The way she posed for the cameras proved she didn't care whatever happened to Alpha nor Evolve as long as she was in the news. Her confidence was appalling.
"Doesn't she look disgusting with all that make up?" Ruth asked rhetorically.
"Should we wait?" Verna suggested equally disgusted.
"No, it's 10 already. Besides, if we wait, aren't we just cowards?" Natasha stated as Smart signaled the guards in the accompanying vehicle.
As she strutted out, someone from the crowd screamed her name.
The interview immediately ended as everyone gathered around them like hawks, desiring to hear her speak. Since the scandal, apart from the articles released on behalf of Alpha, she had personally said nothing to that effect.
Rita eyed her repeatedly. How dare she steal the spotlight? Just when the interview was getting interesting, she appeared from nowhere, like the queen mother of an ancient prince.
"Who does she think she is?" She gritted her teeth.
"Just a fly. Soon enough, her father will kick her out. He's yet to see her true colours." Her manager, eager to gossip replied immediately.
"That's so satisfying to hear. Her mere presence disgusts me" Rita replied batting her lashes in annoyance.
"No one is like you, Rita Wills. Don't bother about a no-name like her riding on her father's cocktails" Her assistant said further as they looked on like three vixens ready to tear someone apart.
The truth was Natasha did nothing to offend them but people like Rita found fault in the simplest of things. They hated anyone who tried to stand in their path of success and fortune.
Now that she had found better ways to make herself richer, there was no need to hang on to Alpha any longer.
The reporters thought otherwise anyway...
"Natasha!"
"Natasha, look here!"
"Natasha!"
"Are you about to resolve the issue with Evolve? Is that why you're present today?"
"Natasha do you still plan on retaining Rita Wills as your brand ambassador?"
"It'll be alright if you can mind your business" Ruth spoke into the microphone as her boss strode with confidence ahead. Natasha smiled smugly as the doors opened.
"Mrs Scott is waiting" A young man approached them instantly, leading them away to the board room.
She didn't escape the cold stares from the three standing to the far left but she wasn't ready to deal with them yet.
"Welcome, Miss Barnett" Laura greeted standing up as a sign of courtesy. Though they recently became an A-list Entertainment Agency, it would only be proper for her to show Natasha some respect. After all, Alpha had higher ranking agencies under their belt.
"Thank you Laura" The latter replied politely and sat down.
"Where's Rita?" Laura asked the young man as he attempted to walk out.
"She's currently in an interview downstairs" He replied curtly.
"Which interview is that? Please tell her to come in. We can't afford to keep our visitors waiting" Laura stated with a smile. In her mind, she was thinking- Are they dumb heads? Don't they know the games of the industry?
"How have you been Miss Barnett?" She asked politely as soon as the door closed behind him. She hoped to get more points with the young CEO.
"Excellent as always Laura. I'm so sorry for everything this scandal has caused. I clearly had no idea about the shoes" Natasha replied carefully.
"It's okay, Miss Barnett. I called this meeting so we can resolve the issues and move forward" Laura replied as Rita and her manager made their way in. Their heels making clicking sounds.
Ruth rolled her eyes in disgust. Verna shook her head. Natasha pretended not to hear and Laura just went ahead with the conversation.
"The articles released on behalf of Evolve weren't written by our PR team. We're currently investigating the matter. I think it's more than just a shoe incident. It could have been anyone at Alpha or one of the artists. Rita is a star. Anyone could connive against her" Laura stated as soon as they all settled down. She clearly didn't want to make things difficult for Natasha.
"What is your conclusion?" Natasha asked
"A lot of damage has been done but none that can't be resolved. All it requires is a press conference featuring you and Rita. The main aim is to tell the public that you both are fine with each other and have decided to continue with the contract." Laura explained.
Natasha concurred by nodding her head.
"I doubt it's any of the artists in Evolve. Besides, Rita doesn't intend to work with Alpha anymore" Melissa butted in.
Laura rolled her eyes suprised at this new piece of information. Did the recent popularity get into their heads that they forgot to think properly?
"Why would we conspire against Rita? She's one of our top models." Verna replied wondering why a manager would be intent on making things difficult even when the CEO obviously wanted to settle.
"I'm her manager. I know what's best for my artist." Melissa replied coldly.
"Melissa, I might as well conclude you're the one responsible for all this" Laura spoke up attempting to remind her of her place. It was obvious she was becoming a nuisance.
"Laura, you've known me for years. I've been faithful" She replied sending daggers at Natasha.
"Rita, what is your opinion?" Laura asked facing her. She hoped the young girl will speak rightly.
"It has caused a lot of trauma for me. I don't have anything against them. However, if I still use anything that belongs to their fashion line, I'll keep recalling this incident and I want to put it behind me" The latter stated.
Laura was disappointed. She looked at Melissa and understood. These two had conspired behind her back. Whoever paid them had done a very good job. Else, they won't be sitting here sputtering nonsense.
"I promise you, I'll personally investigate all your deals. You have nothing to worry about any longer "Natasha assured Rita hoping she would change her mind but she was hell bent on her decision to pull out of Alpha.
Laura tried persuading her to no avail. Since she didn't want to lose her artist, she finally conceded. However, she hoped to talk more sense into her later.
Natasha knew it would be a loss to the company but the young girl had made her choice. It was best not to argue further.
"I wonder who's putting ideas in her head. I hope she doesn't regret this decision" Ruth stated as they walked out of the premises.
"She'll definitely regret it for sure. We have to replace her immediately by finding another model to launch Ara's jewelry collection."
"Noted ma'am."
"I hope she doesn't make things more difficult at the interview?" Verna asked.
"No she won't. Laura won't take it lightly"
Natasha replied taking one last look at the establishment as Smart drove out.
"Draft an article once you get to the office stating our reasons for visiting Evolve with clear details. Let's be prepared, something might come up" She concluded.
"At your service, ma'am" Verna replied with a grin.
"I have a recording of today's meeting in case you need it" Ruth winked. Verna nodded satisfactorily.
While they discussed, Natasha was troubled about the upcoming brunch. She wondered what her dad was going to say. He could as well remove her from the CEO position and that will not only tarnish her name but will result in her losing everything she ever worked for.
Alpha was her only identity. Her pride and dignity was at stake and for the first time, she didn't know what to do. She also wanted to know who was behind the scandal.
Deep dowm, she suspected it was someone from her organization but she couldn't quite place it. Whoever it was, had done a very neat work, as he left no traces behind.
The person surely had a powerful background
.Rita and Melissa wouldn't have so much boldness if they didn't have a backup. She thought of who she had offended recently but none was coming to her mind.
It was few minutes past 12 when they arrived back at Alpha. The entire board members were seated already including Williams. That was a shock as he clearly wasn't among them. Her heart skipped a beat but she couldn't afford to show her fears.
"How was the meeting?" Mr Barnett asked immediately she sat down.
She adjusted herself putting on her most confident look.
"Rita insisted she didn't want to work with us anymore but..."
"That's because of your carelessness..." Mr Barnett commented cutting her off.
Natasha willed herself to calm down and not react. It would be worse if she embarrassed herself in the presence of everyone.
"Dad, It ended on a positive note...We have a press conference scheduled for Monday. The main purpose is to show the public that we are no longer tearing at each other's throat. I think we can move forward from there if we select another artist to launch ARA"
"Fair enough" Mr Barnett replied tapping the oval table. He adjusted himself comfortably.
"How do we stop this from happening? Artists and celebrities have absolute trust in our fashion line. What will you do Williams, if you were the one in charge of Alpha?" He turned to the young man beside him.
Natasha froze, dumbfounded. She couldn't believe her ears.
"Williams?"