Chapter Five

Aubrey POV 

"Welcome back, Young Lady Aubrey!" A sweet voice awakened me from my slumber. It feels so wonderful to be home. 

I still vividly recall the years when I was forced to sleep on the bare floor in a storeroom, working tirelessly just to be with a man. 

Now, I have returned to my rightful position as the Heiress of the Carver Family. The wealthiest family in London. 

"Good morning, Aurora." I replied to the young lady whose duty it is to wake me up every morning. She is such a sweet and beautiful lady. 

"Madam wants you to join them for breakfast. They are waiting in the dining hall." She said, smiling widely at me. I am sure she missed me dearly. 

"Thank you," I said, smiling back at her. I will join them shortly."

She exited the room. 

I rose from the royal-sized bed, yawning lazily and stretching myself like a baby. 

I stepped into the bathroom, greeted by the opulent sight of gleaming marble floors and walls adorned with intricate gold trimmings. 

Stripping off my nightwear, I slided into the bathtub, enveloped by warm water infused with the scent of roses. 

As the fragrant aroma filled my nostrils, I couldn't help but reflect on how much I have missed this lavish lifestyle. 

After a soothing bath, I slipped into a strapless black gown stopping a little above my knee. It was my mother's favorite dress. I went to join my family in the dining hall. 

The dining hall holds one in reverence and awe as innumerable chairs, adorned with antiquities and jade embellishments, stretch as far as the eye can see. 

Each chair was meticulously crafted from the finest gold and silver. 

The room exudes an air of regal splendor with the chairs arranged in perfect symmetry around an expansive polished mahogany table. 

Antique tapestries hang from the walls, depicting scenes of historical significance, while ornate candelabras cast a warm flickering glow across the room, infusing the space with an air of timeless elegance. 

"My darling!" My grandmother exclaimed as she came to hug me, her happiness palpable at having her favorite granddaughter back 

"Grandmother Emilia" I hugged her back dearly, feeling the warmth of her embrace. I missed her greatly. 

I ran to meet my grandfather who sat on the grand chair with a feigned angry expression, one I knew was insincere. He could never truly be upset with me, I was his favorite. 

"Welcome back, sweetheart," he said, pressing a kiss on my cheek, his voice resonating with the authority of a king.

"Welcome home, Aubrey," Henry, my cousin , said. He smiled at me with his charming face. 

He is heir to the third generation of the Carvers' and I am the heiress, but I am older than him. He is my dad's younger brother's son. 

Since my return from the Fowler's two days prior, I had isolated myself in my room, nursing bitterness and heartbreak from the divorce with Dario Fowler. 

"That guy, Dario, or whatever he calls himself, needs to be taught a lesson! How could he have done all that to you?" Henry thundered as I recounted my ordeal at the hands of the Fowlers'. 

"She is to blame because we were all against the idea of you marrying into that low-class family." My grandfather interjected, still wearing his facade of anger. 

"To think you even left your wealth because of that good-for-nothing!" exclaimed my grandmother. 

"I thought he was going to love me," I said, my voice heavy with dejection. 

"Let's set aside that topic and focus on what's important," My grandfather said, fixing his gaze on me. "Aubrey, it's time for you to assume the chairmanship of Carver's Corp," he declared, shocking everyone including myself. 

Yes I am the eldest grandchild, but I am not male. Henry is the eldest grandson! I pondered. 

"What!" Henry exclaimed loudly, drawing everyone's attention. "Oh, I meant, Wow! Congratulations Aubrey!" He corrected quickly. The smile on his face faded. 

"As the eldest grandchild, it is your responsibility to take on this role," my grandfather continued. "Your father, my son, should have taken the position, but he is no longer with us," his voice cracked as he mentioned my late father. "As his daughter, you are the rightful heir." He concluded. 

"Yes my darling," grandmother Emilia, held my hands, caressing them softly. "You can do it, you are a strong woman." She kissed my cheek, as she assured me. 

"Okay grandfather, I will." I said boldly, accepting the challenge. 

I caught a glimpse of jealousy in Henry's eyes as I made my decision.

"Preparations will be made so be ready. You will have to meet with the board members and shareholders. 

Rest for the week, business will commence thereafter. You will be visiting the company's branches in various countries." He concluded, rising from the dining table. 

We all rose to our feet, as he exited the dining hall. 

After we finished our meal, the house staffs cleared the table. 

Retiring to my room for the day, I lay on my bed, my gaze fixed upon the ornate ceiling. 

The thought persisted, I couldn't shake it off. 

How had my life transformed from enduring suffering in my ex-husband's house to assuming the role of chairman at Carver's Corp? 

Perhaps this is life's way of rewarding me for my endeavors. 

A message from my phone distracted my thoughts. 

"The chairman of Fowlers' Enterprise has been hospitalized, due to a stroke, he is currently incapacitated." This was the content of the message. 

"What!" I exclaimed, jumping to my feet in disbelief. "But he was just discharged not long ago." 

I quickly searched for news articles on my phone. When I saw the news, I knew immediately that it was fake. 

Mr Diego would never slip, he is too calculating. 

Without hesitation, I placed a call to one of my assistants. "Keep a vigilant watch over Mr Diego Fowler's ward. Allow no visitors, not even family members!" I commanded. 

"Yes, Young Lady Aubrey!" He responded sharply. 

I have been keeping a close tab on the Fowler's. I will never let them go scot free, they will pay dearly for what they made me go through. 

I will make sure they go through hell! 

I headed to my grandfather's study, he was staring at the pictures of my parents on his table.

He wiped the tears off his eyes as he saw me approaching. 

"Aubrey, what do you…" 

"Grandfather, I want you to sever all partnerships with the Fowlers' immediately!" I declared, cutting him off. 

"Consider it done sweetheart." He replied.