bag with more force then was necessary. She was taking out the frustrations of the last few days on the bag. It had been one of the worse weeks of her entire life. Renne was still getting calls from the members of the media about the incident and if they had any updates. Nyla was working close to seventeens hours a day.

The police wanted her full cooperation and they were doing their best to find out what happened. The companies other factories were also going through inspection to make sure that regulations and standards were being met.

The worse was when she'd visited the victim's families. Darius had accompanied her but the two of them hadn't really spoken much. There were tears from parents, lovers, and children. It was almost too much for her. The loss these people were going trying to cope with—they shouldn't have to. A fund had been set up and while the legal department and insurance companies paid the victims loved ones, Nyla had added her own personal donation. She'd left her office number if they ever wanted to get into contact while also providing free therapy sessions from the company physiatrist. She knew that not everyone could afford to get the help they necessarily needed.

Nyla herself had thought about visiting a physiatrist more than once but every day she'd been dealing with a different problem leaving her with no time. Her sleeping schedule was scarce but what made he most nervous was the early reports she'd received, it seemed like the explosion had not been an accident—but deliberate.

That's what terrified her. She didn't want to alarm the others, but she was almost certain that someone was after the company. Their bids for the land had been taken by others, and now this explosion was making her suspicious. She needed a motive but to her knowledge, Renne didn't have any enemies.

Ignoring everything, Nyla continued practicing. She didn't realize the time until she heard the noise of multiple people entering the gym. She frowned and asked one of the workers behind her, "What's going on?"

The burly man spun around to face the crowd. "Fight should be starting soon. It's supposed to be a good one."

"But it's a Thursday night..."

"It got moved from the Friday. One of the boxers had a prior engagement."

Nyla nodded and made a move to begin packing her things. It was time for her to tailgate out of there. However, as she was about to reach the gym doors, something made her stop. If she went home, all she would do is think about her problems. She could stay and watch the fight instead. It would surely bring her into a better mood.

Making up her mind, Nyla turned back the other way to join the crowd. It was going to be quite a night.

♠♠♠♠♠♠

Nyla flipped through the files that were laid out in her lap. She had gotten more information from the police and it seemed like a highly flammable chemical was left out into the open before it was lit on fire. The guards hadn't reported seeing anyone suspicious around the facility which made Nyla think it was an inside job. However, she didn't know why someone who decide to kill themselves—as well as others.

Her phone rang and she saw from the caller ID that it was Hyeon.

"I'll be there in a bit," she said in a way of greeting. "I just had to stop by somewhere else today."

Nyla had gone to Raymond's grave earlier in the morning. It had been silent in the cemetery but instead of adding to her fears, it soothed her. After the media circus the last couple of weeks, she could use some time alone. Whenever she visited Raymond, it always made her wistful—especially since thanksgiving was coming around.

She began spending thanksgiving with Raymond after he'd realized that she didn't have anywhere to go in the holidays. Her family had effectively cut her off, and she had been moping around holidays before Raymond forced her to join him. The two would watch cheesy movies, cook terrible food and go through Raymond's precious brandy. She didn't like the drink, but thanksgiving called for something special and they had turned towards brandy.

She was cut off from her thoughts when Hyeon asked her if she'd seen the front page of Entertainment Weekly.

"No certainly not. You know I don't keep up with celebrity gossip."

"Well you need to see it." Hyeon said suggestively. "It's about you."

Nyla put the phone on speaker before she saw the front headline on the website.

NEW CEO? NOT FOR LONG. RAYMOND BUNTONS'S WIDOW SPEAKS OUT AGAINST RENNE'S CURRENT CEO.

Nyla skimmed through the article and the more she read, the angrier she got.

"We've got the PR and legal team working on it but there is media crowding the building once more."

Nyla was only half listening to what Hyeon was saying.

"I think it might be better for you to work from your condo tonight. If there are important files, I'll drop them off later."

"I'm not going home."

"But—"

"It's time that I pay Emilia a visit that is long overdue."

She could imagine Hyeon visibly blanching. "That is not a good idea Nyla. It's better if you let the professionals handle it."

"Her problems is with me, always had been. It's time I set a few things straight."

Before her secretary could protest more, Nyla shut her phone off. She turned towards Anthony. "Change of destination. We need to see an old friend."

♠♠♠♠♠♠

Nyla knew Anthony was watching her from the car, but she ignored his stare and politely rang the doorbell once again. She knew that somebody was home as the cars were present in the grand driveway.

On the third bell, the door final swung open. A young woman opened the door.

"Hi, I'm here to see Emilia."

The women looked at her suspiciously. "Do you have an appointment?"

"No but I think she'll be more than willing to see me."

The door swung shut but opened a few seconds later. "Please come in."

Nyla did so. The place had changed greatly since the last time she'd been here. Once upon a time, it had a homier feeling but now it was decorated with elegant décor that looked stunning but didn't have the warmth.

"Would you like a drink?"

"A glass of water would be nice."

The women returned with a bottle of water. The two sat in silence and Nyla was aware of the curious looks she was being given.

"Do you know when Emilia will be down to see me?"

The young women seemed startled by the abrupt question, but she quickly morphed her face into a smile. "She had an alteration earlier in the morning, she'll be here in a few minutes."

Nyla nodded but didn't say anything else. Her phone was vibrating in her pocket, but she ignored it.

"Don't you have the get that?" The women blurted out.

"It's not that important."

There was silence once more. After what seemed like forever, Emilia made her way down dressed in designer from head to toe.

"Nyla," she greeted her with a cold smile. "It's quite a surprise to see you."

Nyla stood up and shook her hand. It felt as though she was touching a block of ice. "It's been a while." Nyla agreed.

The two women sat down.

"Ruby, if you'll excuse us a moment."

The young women stood up knowing that she had been dismissed. Nyla watched her figure retreat towards the kitchen.

"I didn't expect to see you here." Emilia said once again.

Nyla didn't back down. "I was hoping to never set a foot in this place however some troubling headlines about me are making their way around the city."

Emilia feigned ignorance. "Oh, what are these headlines saying?"

"That I'm not competent to lead the organization and I'll be kicked to the curb soon enough."

"I see no lies in any of that." Emilia said coldly.

Nyla scanned her from head to toe. She couldn't believe that Raymond had once been married to someone like her. What had he seen? Her beauty?

"You know that everything in the article is false. Raymond himself took me under his wing and gave me direct guidance. Half of the worlds CEO aren't even able to have that mentorship before they get promoted."

Emilia looked at her nails in a bored manner. "I do know however that in a year's time the board members are able to decide to remove you from your position."

Nyla's eyes narrowed. "How did you come about that information?"

Emilia merely shrugged.

Nyla was done. She knew it was no use talking to this woman. "Stop talking about me media Emilia. I'll make your life a living hell if you do." She threatened.

Emilia laughed. It was an ugly sound. One that promised pain. "I'll do say whatever I want to whom ever I want. I do believe there are a few secrets about Raymond I could release to the press..."

Nyla was disgusted. "I don't know what Raymond ever saw in you. The man is dead, let him rest in peace."

"Why should I?" Emilia questioned her. "He didn't let me live in peace when he was alive!"

Nyla picked up her bag. "It's obvious if I continue sitting here, I'll be listening to you spitting more lies."

Nyla walked towards the door, but she couldn't help but get the last words in. "Raymond did everything he could. He lost a daughter, and a wife. Then you swooped in when he was broken and instead of repairing his heart, you clawed it out of his chest and stomped on it."

"You know nothing little girl." Emilia said mockingly. "You think your world is a perfect little fairy tale. Raymond did everything he could to protect you, but he's gone now. You have nowhere to hide."

"I don't need anywhere to hide. My name is engraved on the twenty fifth floor of the Renne headquarters for anyone to see. My lawyers will be contacting you soon, I'll suggest that you find some of your own."

With those as her parting words, Nyla let herself out of the house. Even the air was much better out of the miserable place, she though as she made her way to the car. Hopefully, Emilia wouldn't test her too much.

♠♠♠♠♠♠

"Do you still think there is time to turn around?"

Anthony's eyes met hers in the back mirror. "You love golf, why would you be trying to turn away from it?"

"There's going to be a lot of press and I'll have to act civil towards Darius. I don't know if I can." Nyla admitted.

Anthony frowned. "Having press is a good thing. You'll be able to contradict everything that horrible women Emilia wrote about you. You need the good publicity."

"That's true."

Nyla passed over her ID to the man in the booth before she entered the Piping Rock grounds. It seemed like it had been forever since she'd come here. Nyla picked up her clubs and pushed down the hat on her head to block the sun.

"I'll call you when I need to be picked up." Nyla said to Anthony.

Her driver nodded. A young caddie came towards her and offered to take her bags. She passed them along.

"Are you here for the charity tournament hosted by Mr. Giordano?"

Nyla nodded.

"Most of the teams are getting ready. The tournament is set to begin in half an hour. I could lead you to them?"

Nyla didn't reply but merely followed the young men. As she walked by, she was surprised to see the sheer number of people that had showed up. She shook hands with other CEO's and some of New York's more influential people she knew. It seemed like all of the upper east side had come to this tournament.

Her eyes roamed looking for Darius before she spotted him in the corner speaking with his brother.

"Do you know who your partner is Miss?"

"Darius," she replied.

The man looked at her quizzingly. "Are you sure? I've been hearing from the other caddies that he will be partnering up with his brother."

Nyla's eyes narrowed. She marched right up to Darius leaving the caddie to follow her.

"Nyla," he said in surprise. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Why would you not?" Nyla retorted. "I promised I'd be here. I also recalling that you said we would be partners. I don't go back on my word, do you?"

Darius paled but Vincent smiled at her. "Good to see you Nyla. I didn't want to be partnered up with such a miserable grump anyways. You're free to take him."

Before anyone could say anything, Vincent walked away.

"Well it looks like the two of us are partners." Darius said with a hesitant smile.

Nyla didn't return it. She turned towards the caddie who stood a respectable distance away.

"Do you have someone else that can join us?"

The man was hesitant before her nodded. Minutes later, he returned with another gentleman.

"He will be your caddie."

Darius analyzed him. "I don't need one."

Nyla ignored his comment. "So, when does this tournament officially begin?"

"It should be starting in a few minutes."

The two of them stood silently with their caddies behind them. She heard an announcement over the loudspeaker that the robin rounds were beginning. Her and Darius' walked up to the first course.

"Ladies first."

Nyla positioned herself but she could feel Darius' gaze on her. She spun around and it looked like he was itching to say something. "What?"

He pointed towards the left, "the wind is coming from that direction. If you don't change the way you're standing, the ball isn't going to go in."

Nyla soundly ignored his advice and instead, swung the ball. She watched it roll and Darius followed the progress right alongside her. It was a few meters away from the hole and so now she could putt it in. She did so in her second try.

"Nicely done." Her caddie said.

She shot him a small smile. Darius took the next course and Nyla watched his progress. Somehow, the ball swung all the way into the little pond. She couldn't help but laugh.

"I'd be sure to offer you some advice," she said jokingly.

He glared at her letting her know that her advice would be very much unsolicited. It looked like it was going to be a long morning for the both of them.