C7 New Me (Chapter Seven)

Michelle’s POV

The next morning, I sat behind the wheel of my black Mercedes, staring out through the tinted windshield at the massive glass building in front of me, my company.

MDGC.

My name was on every contract, every design, every approval but someone else had been pulling the strings behind my back. That someone was the man I once loved.

Seth.

I gripped the wheel tighter. I used to tell him everything my schedules, fund transfers, shipment breakdowns-thinking he cared. But I was the fool.

Not anymore.

Today wasn’t just another workday. Today was the beginning of the new me.

I parked the car and stepped out, heels clicking confidently on the pavement. As I walked into the company’s private mall, I caught sight of Seth’s car already parked near the executive entrance.

I smirked. “He’s early. Good.”

I brushed invisible dust from my cream-colored blouse, smoothed my pleated designer skirt, and whispered to myself, “Act clueless, Michelle. Smile. Pretend. Until Jason arrives.”

Inside, heads turned the way they always did. My employees treated me like a celebrity CEO, not because I demanded it, but because I never let power corrupt me. I wasn’t one for suits. I’d always preferred clean, bold fashion. Statement skirts, soft knits, flowing blouses. I ran a fashion empire, after all.

“Good morning, Ma’am,” my secretary Zira greeted as I approached.

“Morning, Zira.” I paused. “Seth’s in my office?”

She nodded, eyes flickering with sympathy. “He didn’t ask permission.”

“That’s going to change,” I said with a calm but firm tone. “From now on, he doesn’t go into my office unless I say so.”

Zira gave me a sharp nod. “Understood.”

I opened my office door to find Seth comfortably seated in my chair, legs crossed like he owned the place.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, standing. “You didn’t come home last night. Kiara told me you came back, so I rushed here this morning.”

Of course Kiara called him. I barely stopped myself from rolling my eyes.

“I had work,” I replied, coolly walking past him to my desk. “And I didn’t feel the need to explain my whereabouts.”

“You should’ve called,” he said, looking genuinely concerned. “I was worried.”

I opened a folder and pretended to read. “I didn’t want to be disturbed.”

He stood closer now, searching my face. “Michelle, what’s going on?”

I looked up sharply. “Someone is trying to steal my company. I don’t know who yet, but I intend to find out.”

Seth’s lips twitched slightly, like he wasn’t sure whether to play dumb or act offended. “That’s… awful. Who would dare?”

“I said I’d handle it,” I cut in.

“But how?” he asked, pressing on. “Do you have proof? Any leads?”

My voice dropped an octave, filled with layered meaning. “I know the person already tried registering shares under the Godson Empire.”

I watched his jaw tighten.

“You do?”

The intercom on my desk buzzed. “Ma’am, there’s someone here to see you,” Zira’s voice rang out. “Let him in.”

I stood from my desk just as the door opened and there he was.

Jason Godson.

Dressed in tailored black slacks, a steel-gray shirt, and an aura of power that made the air shift. People like Jason didn’t enter a room—they owned it.

Our eyes met.

Without hesitation, I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders.

His body was warm, solid, familiar.

Seth leapt to his feet. “What the hell is going on?”

Jason’s arms came around me in response, drawing me closer like I was something fragile and priceless. “If I were you,” he said smoothly, “I’d back off.”

“You’re touching my fiancée right in front of me!” Seth bellowed. “Michelle, what’s wrong with you?”

Jason didn’t flinch. “Fiancée? That’s news to me. Last I checked, Michelle is mine.”

He walked past Seth and sat on the guest couch like he owned the building. I followed and sat beside him, crossing my legs, a calm smile on my lips.

Jason’s voice dropped, lethal and low. “Mr. Seth Williams. You attempted to register 50% of MDGC under the Godson Empire using forged authorization. Am I wrong?”

Seth paled.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he spat.

“You don’t need to lie anymore, Seth,” I said, voice ice cold. “I know everything. About you and Kiara. About how you used me. And I know now why you targeted me.”

Seth’s jaw twitched. “This is ridiculous—”

“No,” Jason cut in, eyes like sharpened steel. “What’s ridiculous is the audacity you had, thinking no one would notice your little scheme.”

“You played with her heart,” Jason added, voice even lower now. “And now, you’re paying the price.”

I turned to Jason and saw something raw in his expression, controlled rage wrapped in poise. The kind of man who didn’t shout. He dismantled people with silence.

“She’s mine now,” Jason said. “So if you so much as try to contact her again, I’ll consider it a declaration of war.”

Seth stood, fists clenched, eyes darting between us. “This is insane. You’re both out of your minds.”

“No, Seth,” I said, my voice trembling with strength. “I’m finally sane.”

He backed away, humiliated. “You think this is over? I’ll get back at both of you! I don’t care if he’s heir of the whole damn country!”

Jason stood slowly, placing a protective arm around my waist. “Then bring it on.”

Seth stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

The silence afterward was deafening.

“Thank you,” I whispered, turning to Jason.

“You played your part well,” he said, not letting go of me.

“Did you mean what you said? About sending the contract?”

“Yes. Richard’s preparing it now. Once you sign it, we make it official. A staged wedding. Then we attend the anniversary. After that… we end the act.”

“Right,” I said. But something in my chest pulled tight.

“And until then,” he added, eyes gleaming, “you’ll stay with me.”

My breath caught.

Not from fear.

From anticipation.

“I understand,” I said quietly.

Jason studied me a second longer, then gently pulled away. “I have to go. Seth won’t back down easily. Be careful.”

“I will.”

He walked to the door, paused, and turned back. “You were impressive today.”

Then he was gone.

I stood there a moment longer, a smile teasing my lips.

“He called me his girlfriend,” I whispered to no one.

What are you doing, Michelle? Get a grip. It’s all pretend.

But even as I walked toward the investor meeting I had scheduled, my fingers trembled around the file in my hands.

Because for the first time in a long time…

I wasn’t scared.

I was empowered and no one-not Seth, not Kiara, not even my father was going to take that from me again.