CHAPTER ONE ~ SEED OF DOUBT

THREE YEARS LATER

~EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE

Like a scene from the beloved Romeo and Juliet play, lights flashed from cameras as myriads of reporters gathered around the big conference hall that had been allocated for James Whitmore's emergency press conference, everyone eager for their big break.

Whispers traveled around the room as everyone tried to find out what the big show was all about. Like every other day, today was about making a statement and everyone was waiting to grasp the opportunity. If there was something amiss or juicy, they had to be the first to report it.

 Whoever got the gist early had the opportunity to make a name for themself.

It wasn't news that the Whitmore siblings had been at each other's throats at who would take over the company permanently even though James Whitmore had been in charge for the past three years as an acting CEO after the death of their beloved father.

From the news that had been reported, he had unfortunately not left the company to any of his children, so now they had to fight for who would be in charge. Usually, the responsibility should have fallen to the firstborn children except Violet Whitmore wasn't having it. She had been challenging her brother to take charge as the permanent CEO of Whitmore enterprise.

The elegant décor with its deep mahogany paneling and gold accents, contrasted sharply with the palpable tension in the air. At the front of the room stood a long, polished oak table with a microphone and single chair, set for James Whitmore. Behind it hung a banner emblazoned with the logo of Whitmore enterprise.

As the clock ticked closer to the start time, the murmur of voices grew louder, as the reporters eagerly set their writing equipment at the ready. Hand-hovered over screens, last-minute adjustments were made to microphones and recorders.

Suddenly the room hushed as the double doors by the side of the enormous hall swung open. In walked a poised impeccably dressed woman in a well-tailored designer white suit which added to her boss lady image. Her entrance was unexpected and the gathered press looked at each other in surprise like the explanation could be written on the face.

Violet Whitmore approached the podium, her red Christian Louboutin heels clicking rhythmically against the marble floor. She paused briefly, scanning the room with a calm, assured gaze before she began to speak, her voice loud and firm.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today. I know you all came expecting to hear from my brother. However, you need to hear from me first"

The press erupted into whispers as she paused as if to catch her breath when in fact she was making sure they were all listening and hanging on her every word like steel to a magnet.

"my brother James is undoubtedly a brilliant mind and a skilled businessman" she began. "but what I cannot fathom is his management style and decision that have placed Whitmore industries at significant risk"

The camera clicked furiously, capturing her every gesture as they hung on her every word and motion.

"Over the past few years, under James's leadership, we have seen a pattern of mismanagement and poor decision making" Violet continued. "Projects that were supposed to bring innovation have been marred by cost overruns and delays. Promises made to our employees and shareholders have not been kept. Morale within the company has plummeted, and talented individuals have left because they could no longer work under such conditions."

Violet's expression was stern, her eyes burning with conviction. The room was silent, every reporter captivated by her heartfelt testimony.

"Furthermore, James's disregard for ethical practices has put our company's reputation at risk. There have been numerous instances of questionable financial dealings and a lack of transparency that cannot be ignored. This is not the leadership Whitmore enterprise needs or deserves."

She paused looking at the crowd with a very furious expression as if communicating what she could see in their soul, as she let her words resonate with the audience. The tension in the room was electric.

"Our father built this company from the ground up with a dream and a lot of hard work. He instilled in us the values of integrity, honesty, and respect for all who contribute to our success. It is in the spirit of those values that I stand before you today to say that James is not the right person to lead Whitmore Industries into the future"

Taking a deep breath to make the drama more believable, her eyes glistened with emotion. "I know these revelations are shocking but they are necessary. The future of our company and the livelihood of our employees depend on making the right choice for leadership"

She stepped back from the podium, a determined look on her face, and the room erupted into a cacophony of questions and flashbulbs. She had not only challenged her brother's suitability privately, but publicly. As she made her way to the exit, violet lips quivered as she made a small smile that no one could see. She knew she had created a seed of doubt and like every seed, it would germinate. All he had to do was keep watering the seed.

James would regret ever messing with her. He had no idea who he was dealing with, but he was going to find out soon. He had tried to create problems in her marriage and she wasn't going to forgive him for that.

Making his way up the hall to the conference center where he had been scheduled to hold his press conference, James was shocked to see his sister walking down the stairs to her car. As their eyes met, she smirked at him –her wicked smirk, the type she always had when they were children and she had gotten someone into trouble-. He wondered what she had done.

He didn't approach her and didn't have to wonder too much because soon reporters were shoving microphones in his face and asking about a mismanagement problem. The press conference that had been arranged for him to make his plans for the future of Whitmore enterprise was in an uproar and it was all thanks to his selfish sister.

James couldn't believe she had tried to discredit his leadership to the press and public. Turning Fury's eyes towards the direction she just disappeared to, he was met with the back of her car speeding down the driveway.

His bodyguards kept the reporters' from getting up and personal in his space as they led him down the stairs to the waiting car at the curb. As soon as he was safe in the comfort of his BMW and the driver was speeding down the driveway, James whipped out his phone and called Adam Finclair, Violet's husband.

Adam picked on the first ring.

"Are you watching the news?" James asked fury evident in his voice. "did you hear what your wife said about me" he exploded, fumes coming out his mouth

"Calm down James, I'll call her"

"I cannot calm down; I'm going to kill her. I thought you might need the courtesy of knowing on time"

Like fire in a dry bush, the news spread quickly with major news outlets anchoring the stories with the headlines. INCOMPETENCE SHOULDN'T BE TOLERATED.

James threw his phone on the floor of his car in anger. His phone had been ringing nonstop, he had called his connections and tried to curb the news from spreading but his efforts seemed futile.

"Don't forward any call to meet" he commanded his assistant who sat in front of the car with a gloomy expression. He would make sure Violet regretted her action. He wasn't beyond being petty. Two could play.

Picking up his phone, he dialed Sol. Sol was a hacker, he had escaped from North Korea, James had found him when he was in China and had brought him back to the States with him, now he worked for him doing his dirty digging underground. He was so good that he always found dirt on anyone no matter how hard they tried to hide it.

"I need dirt on Violet, make sure it will be big enough to ruin her chance of getting any votes. The CEO election is in three days, I need it before then"

He was going to make sure she was the one in the headlines next.

**********

"no that one," Violet said selecting a red pump heel, Prada's newest limited edition. It was only normal that she got what everyone didn't have. He stared at it imagining how it would look when she walked towards the podium to address everyone after she was announced as permanent CEO of Whitmore enterprise. Red meant fury, she would furiously watch her brother fall.

Shopping was a happy therapy especially when it had to do with limited edition. She was currently sitting in the VIP room of Prada, surrounded by luxury items.

Turning to her assistant, Violet held up the pair of shoes "What do you think?" she asked her red-painted lip lifting into a smile.

"I think it's perfect ma" the blue-eyed brunette who had been working for her for the past three months responded. She had been her longest-lasting assistant and had shown more resilience than the rest.

She turned around and continued with her shopping when a redhead petite woman walked in, her presence made Violet boil in anger. She had seen her picture but never had she thought she would have to encounter her physically.

Her pleasant smile and nice aura made everything so much worse. She was very sure she had approached her on purpose; maybe she thought she had no idea who she was. She would make sure she ended up like the others before her.

"I want that" the redhead commanded, pointing red freshly manicured nails to the shoes Violet had just picked as she smiled at Violet menacingly.