Chapter 3

Fiona's POV: 

"They? Who are they?" I asked, raising a brow.

"The bank people," He said in almost a whisper.

"The bank people? What business do we have with the bank?" I asked, raising a brow.

"You do not know?" He looked more confused than I was.

"Look, explain it to me. I have no idea what you are talking about," I added.

"Okay, your father, Mr. Lawson took out a loan from the bank just a few months before he died. I thought you knew," He explained.

"My father? No, he did not," I fired.

"Yes, he did." He insisted.

"Even if he did, why?" I ask.

"Well, the company was almost going bankrupt at the time. We borrowed from a lot of powerful people, and when we couldn't pay it back, we decided to take a loan from the bank to pay back those people with the hope of paying the bank when we were stable," He finished.

"I do not understand. My father would never do a thing like that. He always had this principle of business he held so dear, 'To never take a loan to repay another loan.' He warned me a lot about that," I objected.

"Well, maybe he broke his principle this one time as we had no other options at the table," He says.

"But we were celebrating the day the incident happened. The project worked," I said.

"He only did that for you. He always said you seem to think he wanted you to suffer always and he wanted to prove you wrong, just that once," He answered.

"What can we do with the bank?" I ask.

"Nothing. Your father used the company as collateral so now they're taking over the company," He replied.

"No, no, no. This cannot be happening. Have we tried other means? Other banks? Our partners? Our stakeholders? Anyone at all who can get us out of this mess?" I ask, my words almost choking me.

"No bank would give us another loan without collateral. And we all know that this company is all we have. Our partners have all withdrawn and our stakeholders do not want to be involved in this mess. They might even consider suing us as your father did not inform any of them about the debt," He explained.

"There's nothing we can do?" I asked again, only this time, I was disappointed.

"I'm afraid so, Miss. We have looked at all options and there is no chance except you have some ideas that we can work with," He says.

"Why didn't anyone tell me anything?" I asked.

Perhaps, if I had known earlier, I would have come up with an elaborate plan as to how to sort this out.

But at this time, it was just too late. Too late to do anything and the bank would sure as hell not waste time in taking over the bank.

"I'll do one more thing, I'll meet with the bank manager and see if anything can be done," I say to the General Manager.

"I already tried," The Manager revealed.

"Well, I am the daughter of the man who took the loan. Surely, he must listen to me and maybe we can reach an agreement," I retorted.

I was angry at the Manager Did he think I could not make it work? Must be my father's fault they all look down on me.

I mean, he couldn't tell me about the loan! And do you know the most embarrassing part? He had staged a celebration for me and every other person knew except me.

I imagine the other employees laughing behind my back as I had no idea what was going on.

How shameless of me to brag about it and blush that day like I had done something important when it was all staged.

Alexander's POV:

"Mr. Alexander Harrington?" A stranger waved at me as soon as I stepped out of the airport.

"Who is asking?" I ask.

"Oh, sir, It is an honor. Your father, Mr. Harrington has asked me to pick you up from the airport and ensure that I get you home safely," He replied.

"Why does he still treat me like a boy? Had to send me a ride? If he cared so much about my being safe, he should have come get me himself," I complained.

I wonder why he always does this. I'm a grown man for heaven's sake.

"Sir? He loves you and..." He was saying before I interrupted him.

"What's your name?" I ask.

"Sebastian," He says.

"Good. Now, Sebastian, this should be the last time I hear you mention love, do you understand?" I warned.

"Yes, Sir."

"Good," I said, nodding.

"Now, take me home. I need to get some rest."

He got the door for me and I got in the car. I had just come from Italy after spending a month there.

I was there handling all of Daddy's dirty business that he wouldn't dare let himself do.

I'm just glad I made it back home safe, I almost died out there. The only thing I dreaded being back home for was because of my fiancee, Eleanor.

Yes, you heard that right. Not that I loved her or anything like that, let's just say I felt like it was about time I settled down.

Besides, she loved me so much and that was good. To always have someone who loves you more than you do.

"We are here, Sir," Sebastian had announced.

"And if it isn't my prodigal son," Dad had announced coming for a hug.

"Yet, you sent me out there to die," I retorted.

"Well, you didn't, did you? Eh? Come on," He says.

"Where's Eleanor? She told me she'd be here?" I ask, my eyes searching for her. I needed a woman's touch to help with the stress.

"I stopped her from coming in," He answers.

"Why Dad?"

"Come son, there's something important we must discuss. Especially about Eleanor," He says, sounding serious.

"Did something happen?" I ask.

"We will find out soon," He replied.