Chapter 20 You Can Count on Me
“I still have work to finish at the office. If you need anything, message me anytime.”
“You’re still working this late? That’s rough.”
Stella waved at him with a small smile and gently closed the door.
Then she pulled up the address of Moses’s office and ordered him some late-night food.
He hadn’t eaten much at dinner.
Once the delivery was placed, Stella began reaching out to her network in Capital City-contacting each connection one by one, trying to find any potential projects that could partner with Johnson Corp.
After a long string of calls and messages, Green Corp was the first to extend an olive branch.
They were optimistic about Stella’s capabilities and sent a contract immediately.
Even after years of working in Cloudtopia, she could still effortlessly secure Capital City deals for Johnson Corp.
Meanwhile, Luna hadn’t managed to land a single deal in over a month.
James and Luna running Johnson Corp could only end in one thing: bankruptcy.
An absolute disgrace to her mother’s legacy.
Her eyes grew cold.
She set up a contract signing with Green Corp for the next day-but just then, the doorbell rang.
It was property management, delivering a meal.
“Mr. Moses ordered this for you. He specifically asked us to bring it upstairs.”
“Thank you.”
Stella blinked in surprise as she accepted the warm container.
A smile curved her lips. “Perfect timing-1 was hungry.”
Elsewhere, Moses looked at the takeout on his desk, reading the note Stella had included: Drink more water.
He set his files aside.
Eating came first.
Under the glow of neon lights, on opposite ends of the city, the two of them sat by windows with food in hand-quiet, warm, and connected.
1/4
The next day.
After signing with Green Corp, Stella headed straight to Johnson Corp.
She dropped the signed contract onto James’s desk.
“Luna-time to give up your seat.”
James stared at the papers in disbelief.
“You signed with Green Corp? On the first meeting?”
“Of course. It’s all in writing.”
Back when Green Corp had barely a dozen employees, she had spotted the potential in their clean energy concept and invested enough to help them rise again.
Later, once she gained equity and voting rights within Unity Corp, she pulled the investment to keep her financials clean for the company’s IPO.
She’d missed out on shares in Green Corp.
But the goodwill remained.
Luna’s eyes brimmed with tears.
“Dad, sure, Stella got the Green Corp deal, but she doesn’t even understand Johnson Corp’s internal operations…”
“Doesn’t understand?”
Stella gestured, and a colleague brought over two thick folders.
They contained two years’ worth of public financial data from Johnson Corp-and some sharp, accurate predictions about their internal restructuring and investment allocations.
Luna’s jaw dropped. “You-how did you-?!”
Stella’s tone was icy. “Johnson Corp only has so many projects. The financials are public. The rest was easy enough to dig up. So, Father… do you think I’m ready to step in as Vice President?”
James had no response.
This daughter of his… clearly had the skills.
Luna was fuming, trying to whine her way back into favor when-
Stella cut in.
“If Moses continues to block those two projects, the second half of the fiscal year is looking grim. Are you really ready to risk it all-for Luna?”
2/4
Once the cash flow dries up-
Johnson Corp’s collapse would just be a matter of time.
Before Luna could say anything, James slammed his decision down.
“As of today, I appoint Stella as Vice President of the company.”
Stella scoffed and turned to leave without a glance.
Luna burst into louder sobs. “Dad! Look at that bitch!”
“Enough! I’ll think of something.”
James swallowed his anger and turned to his secretary.
“Tell Stella to bring her husband home this weekend for a small family dinner.”
“Yes, sir.”
The secretary slipped away quietly.
And James’s face twisted with murderous rage.
Years ago, Stella’s mother had chained him down. He only felt free after she finally died.
He never thought that, more than a decade later, that cursed daughter would come back and oppose him again.
“Can’t shake her ghost! You both should’ve just died in childbirth. All I ever wanted were the damn porcelain pieces!”
After getting the message, Stella texted Moses:
“My father’s invited us for a family dinner this weekend. Just checking if you’re available.”
The Landons were a battlefield.
The Johnsons? A death trap.
If Moses came, James would definitely seize the chance to interrogate him about the blocked projects.
She thought for a moment, frowned, then added:
“I can turn him down for you.”
There was no need for Moses to waste time on her revenge.
But to her surprise-
He called her directly.
3/4
“I’m available.”
“You don’t have to go,” she muttered, lips pursed.
She could handle her weirdo family just fine.
“I can go… to support you.”
His voice was flat. Emotionless.
But the words carried weight.
90
(11)
4/4
Sheaking
