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My account was empty, and in two weeks the next loan payment was due. If I didn't pay, the bank would put me out on the street.
I hadn't told my family or friends about my debts. My pride hadn't allowed it. Everyone, literally everyone around me, had warned me about Owen. I had ignored all advice and done what I thought was right.
I had only myself to blame for my problems.
That's why I wanted to solve them on my own.
So far, I had managed quite well.
But now I was ruined.
Emmett Kershaw's threat still rang in my ears.
And I'll make sure you won't find a job anywhere else!
What if he actually did that? He owned many businesses in New York. He knew plenty of important people.
How was I supposed to go on?
You're really in a pickle, Isabella Abbott. A real mess.
Chapter 2 ~ Carter ~
Igrinnedconfidentlyatthe wall behind my desk. Which meant I was grinning at New York. The wall behind my desk was made of glass. And my desk was located on the top floor of a skyscraper. Almost. Above me was only my spacious penthouse. My penthouse. My company. My desk. My view. Even though there wasn't much to see today. Yesterday had been one of those wonderful spring days when everyone fell in love with New York. Today, however, the city showed its foggy face. The large panoramic window was covered with a light drizzle.
But that didn't dampen my good mood.
On the contrary.
My grin deepened. I had made it. In more ways than one.
Our developer had just informed me that our new product was ready for mass production. It was a car battery that weighed considerably less than our competitors' products. And that, in turn, meant we were guaranteed a lot of lucrative contracts. Every car manufacturer wanted the lightest, longest-lasting batteries for their electric cars. And I was the one supplying them.
My grin grew even wider. The future belonged to me and my company. No one would be able to get past me anymore. That had been my goal for years. Our revenue would reach record heights this year. Everyone would be talking about my companyCarcoBatteries. Everyone.
And the best part: My brother Cameron would be green with envy.
I hadn't thought it possible, but my grin grew even broader. My mouth probably stretched from ear to ear, and a triumphant feeling spread throughout my entire body. Cameron also had a company that manufactured car batteries. For several years, since the founding of our companies, we had been vying for the favor of the big auto manufacturers. But not together. Against each other. So far, it had been a neck-and-neck race. Sometimes I had won a big contract, sometimes Cameron had taken the victory.
But now... Now I would be the winner! Unbeatable! I clenched my fist in my pocket. The new product was unbeatable. For years to come! Thinking about the dumb face Cameron would make when he heard about my breakthrough made me grin again. Everyone would be talking about me, no one about him anymore. Everyone would want to buy from me, no one from him anymore.
At that moment, a loud knock sounded on my office door. Only one person knocked like that: my personal assistant Francis.
"Come in!" I called out loudly.
Francis entered the office. He was a small, wiry guy who had come to me right after university and had now been with the company for just under a year. A clever mind full of ideas who brought fresh wind to the company and whom I had come to greatly appreciate. My housekeeper managed things one floor above me, keeping my apartment clean and my back free so I could focus on other matters. Francis did the same here in the company.
"We've done it," I called out triumphantly and grinned at Francis. "The new product is a thousand times better than hoped and ready for market. You've read Allen's email too, right?" Allen was the chief developer of my company.
Francis nodded. He rarely showed his excitement.
"The news came just in time," I continued. "After all, we've already included the specifications for this battery in theElecarCorporation's tender. Now everything is ready, and that contract is as good as ours." It was a huge contract. The biggest there had ever been. Whoever got it would become the largest manufacturer of car batteries in the USA. A pioneer. In my mind, I already saw myself on the cover of all business magazines. Or maybe even in theNew York Times. But not just in the business section. No, my place was on the front page, next to the President, shaking my hand and thanking me for my services to the future of the American auto industry.
"TheElecarCorporationjust wrote to us, Mr. Jenkins," Francis announced.
"Really?" In all my joy over my triumph, I must have overlooked this email. "What do they want? More details about the new product?"
"No. They're thanking us for our participation in the tender and informing us that they will be equipping the test vehicles with Cameron's products."