Richard thought up the possibilities of where this could go. Should he think about it? Tell her the truth of why he’s here? Accept or reject the offer? He had to consider the choice that’ll help him the most while also hurting the least amount of people, somehow.

Richard exhaled as he loosened his grip on the pen.

The doors behind them slammed open. The two jolted out from their chairs and spun to the source of the noise. In record time, Christy stormed back into the room. This time, she grabbed Mindy along with Richard and shoved them inside.

“Look who I found, trying to sneak into confiscated territory on my way back!” Christy thundered.

What the—? What’s she doing here? Richard thought as he dropped the pen.

Lily marched over and placed her hands on her hips. “Well, well, trying to sabotage my company again, are you?”

Mindy composed herself and adjusted her glasses. “Of course.”

“You’re not even the boss over there!”

“So? Your business is corrupt!”

“Mindy? How did you get here?” Richard asked. “I thought I was—” He covered his mouth as his face went pale.

“Wait, you know this woman?” Lily glanced over and asked.

“Um, yes?”

She scowled at him. “I should’ve known you had ulterior motives, you liar.” Her attention went back to Mindy. “And as for you, why don’t you just give it up already? You can’t beat me in business.”

“Quit talking out of your butt!” Mindy retorted.

“You’re just jealous that I’m more successful than you.”

“Most likely because of your looks, which don’t matter and won’t get you far in the long run. I’m at least smarter and more talented than you.”

“Big deal. How can you be so successful when you act so cold to everyone around you?”

“Who’s making excuses now? I can see that you haven’t changed a bit!”

Richard stood there, like a third wheel, just watching the two fighting. “Uh, guys?” He tried to lighten things up, but to no avail. They kept going on without hearing what he said.

“Are you serious?” Lily scoffed. “You don’t think I’m doing this out of spite, do you?” She looked away, clenching her fists. “That I’m trying to one-up you on business and other things...” She turned back toward Mindy, her eyes on fire. “Just because mother liked you best?”

Wait, what?

Those words struck a chord in Richard’s head. It was something he didn’t want to remember, recollecting the trouble he endured for the longest time. Those memories he tried to repress in the back of his mind, resurfaced again, after all this time. That he met someone else who had similar trauma, someone unexpected. Richard didn’t know how to feel or comprehend this additional information…

He looked over at them; the arguing showed no signs of stopping as it continued to fill the room and cloud his head. His blood boiled, not being able to withstand it any longer.

“That’s enough! Knock it off, both of you!”

Lily and Mindy turned to look at him. Their eyes widened and mouths gaped open. The room went dead silent for a while.

“What happened to you?” Mindy broke the silence, glancing back at her sister. “What caused you to change like this?”

“Zip it. I don’t want to hear it from you.” Lily turned and walked away from them. “Christy, escort these two out of here.”

Richard’s expression softened, witnessing what was about to go down. He extended his arm, but his gesture went unnoticed. “But—”

Christy saluted. She walked over to Richard, telling him ‘sorry’ before dragging him and Mindy away from the office. Lily moved her head to look at Richard with a solemn expression before walking back to her desk. She sighed, put the papers away, and went back to her work.