pter 12
Opter 12
clock read 5:30 AM when Amelia’s eyes napped open Sleep had become a luxury she could no longer afford. Not with so much ground to cover so much to kam
insan alul clothes. Not uncomfortable,
showed quickly the hot water ter washing away the last traces of drowsiness. The bathroom mirror reflected her new self–sharp bob haircut, fed features hidden vaughn. Even after, the namestite trying someon
six, she sat on
desk in her suite, reviewing yesterday’s notes. Pages filled with terms shed barely understood a week ago now made perfect sense Derivatives Hedge strategies Abtrageopportunties. The language of finance was becoming her nation.
soft knock interrupted her concentration.
come in,” she called, not looking up from her
er work.
cas entered, two steaming cups in hand thought you might need this. He placed a coffee beher notes the charming the room Another early start?”
The markets wait for no one.” Amela replet, a phrase shed picked up from her first instructor. Especially not for women with twenty of catching up to
cas studied her with an expression she couldn’t quite read. Pride? Concern? “You know, most people would be taking time to test after what you’ve been through
melia put down her pen, finally meeting his gaze “Rest is for people who have nothing to prove
And you do?“.
To myself “She sipped the coffee, letting the biter warmth spread through her chest. To them.” She did need to specify who they were Richard Her children. The people who had throther away she
Lucas nodded, understanding in his eyes “Marcel will be here at eight. He’s bringing the quarterly reports frommy European divisions. I thought it might be good practice for you to analyze them”
flutter of anxiety rose Amelia stomach Marcel Dubois was Lucas’s head financial advisor, teman with three decades of experance and patience for amateurs. His sessions were the most demanding gently died and sometimes near of frustration
Real company data? Not just the practiceses?”
“You’re ready, Luck said simply
After he left, Amelia returned to her notes with renewed focus. Being ready meant being prepared. Being prepared meant studying untilher eyes burned and her hand cramped fromwiting A small price to pay for the planned to ac
Chapter 12
“Wrong“Marcel declared his Swiss–German accent making the word sound even harsher Tyagan
Amelia stared at the spreadsheet, the numbers swimming before her eyes. Three hours mother son, and she felt like her brain might met Marelhad died her first attempts at analyzing the quarterly reports, finding flows in her reasoning the hadn’t even considered
1 don’t see it,” she admitted, hating the weakness in her voice.
Marcal sighed, removing his wirermmed glasses to rub the bridge of his nose “Look at sector performance compared to overall market trends. What does that tell you?”
Amelia forced heart to focus, ignoring the headache bulding behind her pes. She studied the columns of figures again, this time looking for patterns rather than individual numbers. Slowly, something came into four–relationship between seemingly unconnected data printe The technology investments are outperforming market expectations, she said slowly, but mereurs dont match the profile Unless
Unless the paused a possibilty
ming in her mind. “Unless Lucas using them offset losses in the manufacturing division
–
Marcels eyebrows rose slightly – the closest thing to approval she’d seen from him “Wind why would he do that?
“Tax advantages.“Amelia replied, more confident now but also to mask the performance of both to competitors Iloksette manuf nufacturing investments are stable when they’re actually volatile, and the investments per modest when they’re actually exceptional
Athine cracked Maral’s Men face “Now you’thinking like someone who wants to build with, not just count it.”
For the first time in the session Amelle spark of excitement. This wasnt just about understanding numbers – it was about strategy, psychology, seeing the game behind the game.
“Show me more” the demanded
Marcel’s amwidened “Good. Now you’re asking the night questions”
By afternoon, Amelia’ssion with Marcel had transformed. No longer was he then teacher connecting her makes. Now they sat side by side, diving ding into Lucas business operations, with Marcel pointing out subtle strategies that had helped build County Globalintoinancial powerhouse “Most people never so beyond the surface numbers, Marcel explained, pulling up another spreadsheet. But the real story be in the relationships between figures. The patterns. The anomalies
“Like reading between the lines Amela murmured
Exactly. Finance is a language. Anyone can leam the vocabulary, but few develop true fluency” He glanced at her with newfound respect. “You have an infor
The complement warmed her more than it should have For twenty years, Richard had handled at their finances, dismissing her questions with patronizing explanations about hot worrying her pretty head with complex matters Now here was one of Europe to calming her she had natural
Chapter 12
“What about this?” she asked, pointing to action Marcel hadn’t covered. These nvestment patterns in the Asian markets seem deliberate Almost like Lucas postioning for something specific
Marcelleaned closer, studying the area shed indicated. His eyebrows come agan. “Impressive catch. Yes, this is part of a long term acquisition strategy Lucas has been carefully building minority stakes in complementary businesses, staying jual under the thhold that would reqi publiclosure” “So when he’s ready to make his move, competitors wont see it coming!“Amelia concluded a thrill running through her at having spotted something sigficant
“Precisely “Marcel set back, regarding her with new interest. “You know, five trained many analysts over the years. Most take months to develop the tinct youre showing after just a week
Pride valed in her chest, but with came a shadow of anger How different might hel
le have been if someone had recognized that twenty years ago? had seen her as
i partner rather than a possession?
The spent most of
of my life beng underestimated she said quietly won’t happen again
When Eva returned from her university classes that afternoon, she found Amell in the study, sued by reports and final jou
“Dad said you’ve been at it since dawn Eva commented, dropping onto the sofa across from Amelia’s desk “You know that right
Amelia looked up, banking as she refocused on the real world feels like one Against time Against expectations”
Against Richard?
y sheld found The name hung in the ar between them Amela hadn’t spoken it aloud in days, as if saying it might summon him across oceans to the sanctuary
“Yes, she admitted Against Richard Against the life he forced me into. Against the years lost beleving I want capable of mone
Dinner that evening felt like a celebration though nothing was officially being celebrated Lucas had opened an equate bottle of wine, and the chef had prepared Amelia favorite meal of the past make duck with cherry reduction.
“Marcel gave me a full report,” Lucas said, reling her wine glass. He’s impressed Says you spotted patterns in my Asian estments that hajur analyst missed
Amelia felt her cheeks warm, and not just from the wine faschating work. Once you understand the underlying principles in the matrix behind everything”
“That’s how it fet for me too, when I first started,” Lucas admited. Like decovering a secret language that explained how the world really worked.”
Eva, sitting across from them, rolled her eyes. “Great, now I have two finance nerds at the table
Chapter 12
They laughed, the sound echoing through the dining room, and Amelia realned with a start that the felt happy Not just detracted from pain but from pain but genuinely content in this mome
“Which brings me to tomorrow’s agenda Lucas continued. “I like you to join me for a meeting with the board of my European holdings. As an observer
Amela nearly choked on her wine. The board? Lucas, I’ve only be studying for a week
“Sometimes the best learning comes from immersion.“His expression grew serious “Tesides, there’s something I want you to see Something that might with your ducation
The way he emphasized the last word made it clear he was talking about financial education
What kin
kind of something?” Amelia asked
“Richard’s company has European partners, Lucas said carefully Partners who happen to be connected to my board would be educational to hear how they
Eva locked between them, a smile playing at the comers of her mouth “And by educational Dad means you might learn some inside information about cards company that could be useful late
“Eva,” Lucas warned, but there was no real annoyance in histone.
“What? I’m just translating business–speak into normal human language She turned to Amelia. The board members gossip worse than schoolgris
You probably learn more about Richard’s business hour with them then you would from dying public
Amelia’s heart raced at the possibility Information was power. And power was exactly what she needed to build her new life–and possibly, someday, to balance the scales of jus
Td be honored to join you,” she told Lucas, her voice steady despite the storm of emations beneath a
“Good.” He smiled, raising his glass in a small toast
“To your continuing education”
Later that night Amelia stood at the window of her sute, looking
out at the moonlit mountains. The day’s lessons replayed in her mind – not just the financial knowledge shed game but the deper understanding of how power that had kept her fam
пригрови She returned to the financial journals spread across her bed, the complex charts and figures that had once seemed impenetrable but now veled their secrets to hat understanding Each page she turned, each concept the mastered, was another in the foundation of her new sell
Outside, the moon disappeared behind clouds, leaving the mountains in darkness. But inside, Amela Vaughn burned with new
Barker had discarded was gone
Birouage of weahhgo see the patterns ofberr
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Chapter 11
chard Parker’s office overlooked the city skyline, but today he barely noticed the view. His attention fixed on the quarterly financial report numbers that refused to add up no matter how many times h
“This can’t be right” he muttered, scrolling through the spreadsheet for the third time. The manufacturing division showed a fiheen percent drop compared to projections, while operating costs had increased despite the rebent layoffs.
Mr Parker? Hoe came through the intercom “Ms. Mihin here to
to see you.”
Richard’s stomach tightened. Charlotte in her constant talk of venues and flower and quest lists. The wedding she insisted needed to happen within werkt.
in “bereplied, closing the financial report with a quick click
The door swung open and there she stood–blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, red dress hugging every curve, smile bright enough to light the room.
“There you are Charlotte purred, crossing the office with practiced prace. Buried in work as usual” She perched on the edge of his desk, legs crossing in a way that made mouth ge dry. The been calling you all maming”
e quarterly financial. There are some discrepancicant que..
Chaptered a finger to his lips. “No busness talk Not today. I’ve found our y
Richardblinked, trying to shift mentalgears Venuel Already?
The Westbrook They had a cancelation for next month” She clapped her hands together “perfect chard. The grand ballroom, the gardens for photos the fivestar catering.”
“The Westbrook?” Richard fought to keep his expression neutral Charlotta, that’s the most expansive venue in the city”
“And” She arched an eyebrow.” your bride worth the best?”
The quietion hung in the air between them. A test One of many had laced since proposing
“Of course you are” he said,ching for her hand just want to be practical. The company numbers this quarter wat, and with the amony one Amela
Charlet’s expression deck and instantly. Don’t say her name
Unlocked
Chapter 13
Her name Don’t say it.” Charlotte paled her hand away. dont want to hear about your while planning our wedding
“Shall not lechnically my ex get…
Exactly my point Charlotte pacing the office with quick, angry steps. “This is why we need to move quickly Get married maken official Putter in the past where she belongs.”
Richard rubbed his templex, a headache forming behind his sys. “The dance Takes time, Charlotte. Legal proceedings property division…”
best gone for week No contact, no nothing For all we know, the sun off with some rich Fuspen
suggestion sent an unexpected stab of somating through Richard’s chest. Not jealousy surely Hedmade his choice. Amela was past. Charlotte was future
Thatendiculous, he said, more sharply than intended
“There you go again, defending her Carlottes voceros. “This is exactly why we need to make official, Richard 50 I don’t have to compete with ghost”
He stood, moving to take her in his arm. There’s no competion. You won. Remember?”
The words soed het as he knew they would. Charlotte med against him, her anger dissolving as quickly as it had appeared
1 just want to be Mrs. Parker shemurmured against his chest. Twant the world to know I’m yours.”
and you!
Helised the top of her head. If the Westbrook what you want, then the Westbrook is what you have.”
– was already mating with a portfolio of options.
The restaurant Charlotte had chosen for lunch was trendy and expensive. The wedding plame
Now Charlenehan Hadmin on your vision. Very graad very elegant. A statement wedding”
Richard shifted uncomfortably. Tminot sure we need to make a statement.
“Of course we do,” Charlotte interrupted. Richards company going places, and our wedding needs to refer that. Is that right, darling?
As lutch progressed, Renard found himself agreeing to things he barely understood. A fan place orchestra Custom–made favors for each guest. A five–tier cake decorated with edible gold leaf. With each em, the inviable price tamb
Chapter 13
Hephone buzzed for the third time, the CFO Charles smil became straned.
“Daring, perhaps you should take that must be important they keep cling”
Richard excused him, stepping outside to answer
This better beimportant, Frank he snapped
H
This “Frank’s voice was tight with worry, Richard, I’ve been over the quarterly number times. There’s definitely something wrong The manufacturing division is showing nous discrepancies, and..
“Emal methadetaks. illlook at them tonight”
“Tonight might be too late of these numbers are accurate, we need to inform the board immediately. There could be legal implications f
“Tonight, Frank,” Richard planced through the window at Charlotte, who was watching him. Tm in the middle of something”
When Richard returned to the table. Charlotte’s smile was back in place, but remained cool. “Everything okay at the office?”
Fine Just some numbers that need reviewing”
“More Important than our wedding plans? The question sounded light, but carradweight.
“Of course not“Richard assured her. “Nothing’s more imponant than our futuretogether”
After the wedding planner lett, Charle sipped her champagne, watching Richard over thermof her glass. “You’re distractedtoday”
It wasn’t a question. Richard sighed deciding honesty might be best “The company numbers aren’t great this quarter Fank’s found some deepancies that need my ton
“Nothing serious “helled “Just some accounting issues that need cleaning up.”
Charlottes down her glas “chard, if there are problems at the company, I need to know We partner now.”
Partners. The word struck Richard as odd in the two years Charlotte had worked achietary, they’d never disced business strategy
‘big facial stuff,” he deflected. “Nothing for you to worry about.
