Chapter 41: Chapter 41

It had been three weeks since Henrietta had been on probation. She was forced to abase herself during the second week. When Greta Christopher appeared on the frontpage of every fashion magazine, Henrietta was so envious of her and couldn't help but get angry at the same time. Although she had another conversation with Mr Wilson but it didn't yield a good result. After all, he had an agreement with Mr Sullivan. Richard got him what the industry wanted and he also had to give him something in return.

The last person she cared about was Miguel. Dolly encouraged her to go on a vacation, and she agreed. Although Richard eventually granted her to come for Miguel anytime she wanted, she would have to bring him back to the mansion in the next three days, as it was stated in their agreement.

Dolly did a thorough investigation in the industry during the time Henrietta was away, she eventually found out the reason for an expected probation. There were people that knew everything that happened in the industry, and if any information was revealed it went viral until it reached everybody in the industry. It was a terrible idea letting Henrietta know the probation was an excuse to evict her from the industry, Dolly never informed her and she wasn't planning to inform her now that she had returned. Henrietta could be really reckless and acted impulsive sometimes. Because of that Dolly made up her mind to keep it a secret.

Leaning her back on the van, Henrietta stomped close to her and folded her arms across her chest. She frowned and arched her brows. “Why didn't you tell me?”

Dolly didn't understand what she was talking about. “What are you talking about?” She enquired. She was muddled by the question.

Her eyes darkened. She narrowed her eyes as she skipped close to her. “That Maggie will be Greta's subordinate. Why didn't you tell me Greta will also be modeling for Sullivan company? Why?” Henrietta hollered. Her loud voice prompted everyone to gaze at them as it triggered everyone's curiosity.

Dolly bowed, apologizing for their interruption. She grabbed her by the wrist and pulled Henrietta away from the field while a show was going on. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Don't you dare pretend as if you don't know what I'm talking about!” She snapped.

Dolly sighed out exasperatingly. “You know what? I don't want you to find out, and now that you know that Greta will appear on the frontpage of their magazine...you should give me a break, won't you?”

Henrietta tightened her fists. The truth was Dolly wasn't the right person to vent on, the person that deserved it was Mr Wilson. She huffed. “Why would Mr Wilson do that to me?”

“That's what Richard wanted. It's not too late, you should ask him yourself. I think Mr Wilson is following instructions.”

“What do you think about what's happening right now? No one wants me. Why did Richard choose Greta over me?”

“To your first question, what do you expect when the second rate company in Sydney rejects you? You shouldn't be surprised if other companies do the same. There were connections and reputation to brag about when you were married to him, the story is different now.”

“Do you have to say that to my face? Huh?” She snapped. “Are you saying that I don't deserve everything I get?” Tears hovered in the corner of her eyes. She gnawed on her lower lip to hold back the tears that threatened to rain down her face.

Dolly shook her head negatively. Even without any reply Henrietta understood what she meant. “Henri, you shouldn't be worried about that now. We have to do something or else this probation will be extended.”

She contemplated for a while.. However, she couldn't think of any solution. The only thing that popped up in her mind was to wait till her probation was over, and it seemed like it was taking forever to exhaust. She couldn't deal with her impatience, if she desired something she would want it to happen immediately. She looked squarely into her eyes before speaking. “I don't know, Dolly. I really don't want to get on his wrong side but if I have to do that... I won't hesitate, Dolly.” She said with determination.

Dolly didn't understand what she was trying to tell her. Her plans were unknown to Dolly. She furrowed her brows. “What do you mean?” She asked further.

“I have to get back everything.” Henrietta had no intention of letting Dolly know what she planned to do. Dolly figured out she wasn't going to tell her and she also decided not to pester her anymore. Henrietta was known for her reckless decision, trying to stop her was futile, as she wouldn't budge. She would do what she wanted to do even if she later regretted it.

“Just be careful. I don't want you to get hurt.”

“I won't promise you I won't hurt anyone.” She extended her hand to her, gesturing to her to give her the car key.

Dolly looked at her hand, then her face. “You're not driving!” She frowned.

“Lend me the key, I'll be back soon.”

Dolly didn't want to believe what she said. She doubted what she said, so she withdrew her hand. “I'm not giving you the key.”

“You have my words. I won't do anything crazy this time. I just have to be somewhere.”

“Where precisely?”

“Dolly, I'm not ready for any interrogation. Just give me the key and I'll be out of her. If you keep holding me back I won't hesitate to ruin the show. I'm tired of staying here. It seems like no one notices me. I'm invisible here.” She looked around before switching her gaze on Dolly.

“Let me drive you.”

“Hell no!” She snapped immediately.

She looked squarely into her eyes before extending the key to her with reluctance. “Be careful.”

She nodded. She collected the key and went away. Dolly stood on the same spot, watching her leaving. She already knew it was something she had to deal with all the time. She wished things never got complex as they were now, and Henrietta was making everything more entangled, difficult to handle. ‘Why was she fighting herself?’ Dolly kept asking herself the same question all the time. She wondered if it was all happening because Miguel was born. Henrietta made a wrong decision back then, choosing a mere contract over her family. The same family she threw away was what she wanted back badly without minding her if she was making a wrong decision.

***

Henrietta rode to his office. It had been a while since she sought assistance. Back then he wanted to assist her get back what she wanted, Henrietta informed him she didn't need his assistance anymore. Despite several motives to allow him to do his job as her attorney, Henrietta never thought the worst would come for her. The same person she once rejected was the person she was running back to. She was at the verge of losing everything to someone else.

She stopped in front of his door, she handled the doorknob and twisted it. She moseyed inside after opening the door.

He was sitting on the swivel chair, with all his attention focusing on his laptop. Hearing the sound of her heels, he switched his gaze. “Ms Henrietta?” He was dumbfounded, seeing the woman that came to his office a month ago, begging him to assist her get back what her ex-husband stole from her, and later left his office after telling him she didn't want him to do anything, she was the same person that came back to him. He wondered if it was a regular visit or she came to tell him another story. “Please have your seat.” He pointed to the couch next to her.

Henrietta sat down. The man in his late forties walked up to the couch opposite hers, he sat down carefully, then he gazed at her steadily. Her eyes were red like the first time she visited his office. They were the eyes of someone that lost everything and wanted to get everything back. “Mr Norelco, I should have listened to you before I aborted the case.”

“What happened to Miguel?” He inquired.

“I'm losing my son. He doesn't recognize his mother anymore. Richard has succeeded in stealing my son from me.” She sobbed, framed a lie, hoping he was going to buy it.

Attorney Norelco remembered what she told him the last time. Although she did have a good conversation with Richard, he allowed her to come over to the mansion if she wanted to see Miguel but she never expected the worst. All she wanted right now was to model for Sullivan company, if she could get that at least the other companies would bow at her feet and worship her like the queen she once was. If she wanted to achieve that, she would have to lie to him again. Attorney Norelco was known for the frontline reputation as an attorney, the only person Henrietta could run to. He would always fight for the victim and would get back what they stole from them. However, unknown to him he was fooled by her fake innocence. She had been lying to him all along.

“I don't understand what you're talking about, Ms Henrietta. You came to my office and told me to abort the case because you don't need it anymore. I assume you have your son now.”

“If at all that's the case I won't be here right now. I had to do it or else I won't be seeing my son again.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

He picked a few tissue papers from the box and extended them to her. She collected them, she blew her nose with it and wiped her eyes. “Tell me everything.”

“I was afraid of losing my son. I don't want to be humiliated in front of everyone. What am I even saying? Richard is going to win anyway. He has everything, even the court won't hesitate granting him sole custody. What would happen to me? I was afraid, I didn't want that to happen, that's why I told you to abort the case.”

“And why are you here?”

Henrietta resisted the urge of rolling her eyes. ‘Couldn't he see she was desperate?’ She wanted something from Richard, to get that from him wouldn't come off easily and that was why she had to use her tricks. She wondered if he saw that whenever he looked at her. Henrietta hesitated, she contemplated thoroughly before answering him. “I have to do what I don't want to do.”

He inhaled and exhaled deeply. He stared at her for a while, studying her countenance. “You want your son or you want something else?” Attorney Norelco enquired, he wanted to be sure he understood her and her intentions.

She gritted her teeth. “My son. Do everything it takes, I want my son. I'm not capable of winning but I don't mind trying.” She said with a strong determination.

“I promise you, you'll have your son.” Mr Norelco gave her his words.

Henrietta smiled inwardly. She needed something to lure out her enemy before striking, just as She had to use his weakness against him to get what she wanted. Ever since their disunion, nothing was in her favor. After all she never worth everything she had, it had been Richard's status that had been helping her secretly. It all started crumbling after their divorce. No matter how many times she saw herself as a queen, her mirror had always been deceiving her from the beginning. The truth was…she was nothing without him.