After recovering from the shock of Gail's secret revelation, Ruby sat frozen at her desk, the words echoing in her mind like a cruel joke. Her fingers trembled as she turned on her laptop and typed the company's name into the corporate registry portal.
This was the same platform she and Derek had once used proudly to file their first company documents – the certificate of registration and ownership of Drubick Egdes– before she left everything in his care.
Her heart drummed loudly in her ears as she waited breathless for the information to load. And within seconds, her worst nightmare was displayed on the screen, leaving her almost gasping for air.
On both certificates, Derek Bishop was listed as the sole owner and chairman of Drubick Edges. Her name, which was formerly printed on both certificates as co-owner, had suddenly been obliterated.
"Oh God!" Ruby cupped her open mouth as a crippling chill swept through her chest. "No... This can't be right." She refreshed the page, again and again, praying it was a system glitch or malfunction.
But each time the system was refreshed, it popped up the same heart-wrenching information.
"Okay... breathe, Ruby...." Her voice quivered, tears pulling at the corner of her eyes as she read through the document.
Before their failed marriage, Derek and she had been planning to expand the company and relocate the business to a new address with a bigger operation space.
But according to the document she was currently scanning, all of that had been done without her knowledge.
A recent filing date with Derek's signature at the bottom showed a newly registered address that wasn't the company's usual office address.
Ruby suddenly felt the need to use the restroom as she stood up.
Confusion, distress and panic took over as she hurried to the ladies' to ease herself before returning to her desk to continue her investigation.
Switching tabs, she navigated to the company's website, hoping this was all a dream that she would soon wake up from.
On the company homepage, everything almost looked the same, with the glossy images of their most recent elegant collections underneath the familiar black and gold logo.
However, something under the 'About Us' section, caught her attention almost immediately.
It read, This company was founded and is solely owned by Derek Bishop.
Her name, once proudly displayed beside his was no longer there.
Ruby's chest tightened as she scrolled faster, tears of betrayal streaming down her flustered face.
Even the official contact email had changed. The new domain routed messages to [email protected].
"What have you done, Derek?" She whispered, pushing back her desk to catch her breath. Then something hit her...the company's finances.
She leaned forward as she opened the company's financial dashboard. She had never bothered herself with anything fiance because she trusted Derek with the company's fund.
After a few failed login attempts, she finally accessed the company's account.
However, the numbers that were displayed on screen didn't make sense at all. The total sum was less than fifteen thousand dollars, as against over two million dollars, which they had realised from previous projects and investments.
Going through the accounts transactions history, she observed a steady transfer of large sums to DRJ Apparel Ltd all approved by Derek's digital signature.
"Oh God...this can't be happening." She stood up again, holding her aching forehead, tears blurring her vision as she stared at her laptop screen in bewilderment. She inhaled and exhaled to stifle her emotion, blinking back her tears.
"No, Derek... If this is what you're planning to do to me after everything we've been through together, then you have something else coming your way. Because, this time, I won't spare you." She picked up her phone and dialled Elena's number.
"Hey, babes... Are you at the office now?" Elena's cheerful voice chirped excitedly from the other end.
"Ellie... I need your legal advice on something."
-
-
Derek was in the middle of signing some documents when Bailey barged into his office without knocking. He slowly lifted his head up, his face a mask of fury as he said.
"Bailey, what is the meaning of this?"
Bailey tossed a printed invitation card on his desk, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Since when did you and Ruby become a couple?"
Derek picked up the printed invite, his eyes gleaming with pride as he leaned back in his seat, a smirk dancing at the corner of his lips.
"And how is that any of your business, Miss Angelo?"
Bailey's eyes narrowed in slits. "Well, ever since you planted this child in me, you became my business, and whatever you do, like it or not, affects me."
Derek scoffed. "Don't be dramatic Bailey. You know fully well that whatever happened between us was just for fun. I never said I loved you. I was clear about my feelings from the beginning."
"And what about my unborn child?" Bailey spat out. "What about the four unfortunate babies I've killed for you? Don't you care about my feelings?"
"Blackmail?!".Derek's smirk twisted into a sneer. "Aren't you tired of this old game? You knew what you were getting yourself into when you willingly got into bed with me. You knew I had no interest in you except for sex, which you consented to. I never even wanted a child with you and yet here we are."
"But I did all of this for you." Bailey moved closer but Derek's sharp voice stopped her cold.
"No!" He slammed his fist on his desk, anger coursing through his veins. "You did all of that for your selfish interest. You ruined me before the only woman I've ever loved. If it weren't for your sick jealousy, I would be a happily married man today. But no...you had to open your big mouth after all the promises I made you."
"Really?!" Bailey's voice cracked with a bitter laugh, her eyes blazing with an inferno. "So you expect me to watch you marry another woman after everything I've given up for you? What happens to me and my unborn child?"
Derek stood up and leisurely strolled over to Bailey towering over her as he ran a finger down the side of her face.
"Are you and your unborn child lacking anything?"
Bailey swallowed a lump in her throat, heat rushing to her face as she leaned into his touch. "Yes..." She whispered. "...we need a daddy who would love us and take care of us."
Derek scoffed, pulling his hands away from her. "Isn't that what I've been doing all this time. I made sure you kept your job. I accompanied you to the hospital. I provide all your basic needs. Isn't that enough?"
Bailey's gaze hardened. "No "
Derek chuckled bitterly. "Do not forget I'm doing this because of the promise I made to both our parents. Naturally, I would have kicked you out of my life after that stunt you pulled at my wedding. But I agreed to faithfully take care of you until you've put to birth. Afterwards, my parents will take the child from you and you can go on with your life. Ruby and I will get married eventually and I will have my first legitomate child with her."
Bailey gave a short, scornful laugh, a wicked grin dancing at the corner of his eyes. "And what if the whore is already carrying another man's child?"
Derek's eyes darkened, and all the veins in his muscles tensed as he grabbed Bailey by the neck, "What did you just say?"
"Nothing." Bailey choked out, her voice trembling as Derek's grip tightened around her throat.
Derek leaned closer, his fiery breath almost torching her ears. "I thought as much." He licked the side of her face before showing her backwards. "Now get out of my office."
Bailey staggered backwards, coughing and massaging her neck, a creepy smile curling up her lips. "As you wish, my love."
Outside Derek's office, Bailey dialled a number and said into the phone. "Is the position still open?"
"Yes." A male voice answered.
"Very well. Get me a very nice and expensive dress." She hung up smiling devilishly.