THE BILLIONAIRE'S UNSEEN HEART

CHAPTER 2

From the minute James Sterling had left her bookshop, Emily Hayes couldn't get rid of the uncomfortable sensation that had crept into her stomach. She kept his last words, "If you don't take control within six months, everything will be lost." More precisely, what did that imply? What was at stake?

She had earlier gotten a message telling her to meet someone at five PM, but the day had passed faster than she had thought. Now almost time for her enigmatic meeting. Emily ran out into the busy New York streets grabbing her coat and luggage, shutting the store behind her. People racing past, lost in their own lives, ignorant of the enormous change occurring in hers, the outside world looked indifferent to her turmoil.

Her mind kept returning to James Sterling as she headed for the place indicated in the note. Unlike anybody she had ever known, he was cold, merciless, and, despite his outward appeal, totally relentless. She hated to admit it, but his patronizing approach had caused her to doubt herself. His confidence had rocked her. Could she really negotiate the perilous waters of high finance, especially with someone like James watching over her every move?

The posh café was humming with activity when she arrived. This was the kind of sophisticated establishment where power brokers convened to go over agreements that might change whole sectors. She felt awkward; her casual clothes stood out from the luxury suits and immaculate presentations of the other customers. Despite her uneasiness, she scanned the room for any signs of the person she was scheduled to meet.

She looked across to a man seated at a corner table. He was older, with a sharp, fitting suit that suggested power and expertise and grey streaks in his well combed hair. But his eyes had a tenderness that calmed Emily somewhat. He waved for her to come join him, then stood and gave a courteous nod as she came.

"Ms. Hayes, I presume?" asked with a calm and reassuring voice, he said

Emily nodded and settled on the seat he suggested. "Yes, and you are?"

"Daniel Harris," he said, a little smile flickering on his lips. "I am the one who emailed you. I deal with Harris & Associates, the firm managing your inheritance.

Emily caught her breath. She said, making connections, "You're the one who called earlier." "What specifically is this all about? What did you imply by a deadline?

Daniel leaned closer, slightly dropping his voice, and his demeanor became grave. "Ms. Hayes, you have inherited not only money but also a great position of influence inside a firm whose legacy has been the lifeblood for your father. However, there are some conditions. Should you fail to seize over and establish leadership within six months, the business will be sold off and all your father created would be lost.

Emily digested his words and her heart hammered. But six months begs a question. And why am I among others? I hardly knew my father at all.

Daniel exhaled and softened his look. "Your father was a multifarious guy, Ms. Hayes. He kept his distance from you for reasons I'm not totally certain of, but he left strict instructions stating you alone, should inherit the business. The six-month deadline was his means of making sure you establish yourself as qualified to continue his legacy and take this obligation seriously.

Emily experienced a whirl of emotions—anger, uncertainty, dread, and a sense of betrayal. "Why would he do this?" Why not quit the business to hand it to someone truly capable of running it?

"That's exactly why he chose you," Daniel said. "He thought you would meet the challenge given the correct incentive. Though you may not now see it in yourself, he saw promise in you, Emily.

His words sank over her like a weighty blanket. Overwhelming was the thought that her father, a man she had never known, had seen something in her she could not even identify. Still, coupled with the terror was a spur of will. She had spent her life defending her bookshop and her independence; maybe this was only another struggle but on a far more expansive scale.

Her ideas were cut off by the approach of a coffee tray-carrying waiter. Emily saw Daniel's wary eyes as the cups were set in front of her, as though he was testing her will or reaction.

"So, what happens if I let others control? Her voice steadier now, she asked.

Daniel started to show a dark attitude. " Should you neglect to assume leadership, the company will be sold and the earnings will be distributed to the secondary beneficiaries—business partners of your father. Long-awaited for this chance, they would not hesitate to destroy the business for their own benefit.

Emily felt a shudder run down her spine. And what part, in all this, does James Sterling play?

"James Sterling is one of your father's most trusted friends, but he also has his own interests to guard," Daniel said. "He was meant to help you negotiate this change, but don't be misled—he's not only here out of heart compassion. The success of your father's business defines the legacy of his family; should it collapse, they would lose everything.

Emily's head flew. James Sterling had looked far-off, almost apathetic, but now she saw that considerably more was at risk than she had first realized. He has a personal interest in this, she said, more to herself than to Daniel.

"Exactly," Daniel confirmed. "James is a man who will not allow anything—or anyone—to stand in his way; he knows how to obtain what he wants. "That includes you."

Emily felt her pulse speed up. Her initial meeting with James had created a conflict that now made sense. He was appraising her and evaluating if she threatened the future of his family. Now, with the deadline hovering over her, she realized she had to rise and fight for what was rightly hers.

Emily remarked, her voice quivering slightly, "I can't believe I'm saying this," but "I think I should meet with James again." I have to know exactly what I am opposing.

Daniel nodded favorably. That would be sensible. But pay close attention, Ms. Hayes. One should not belittle James Sterling. He will challenge you to your limits and test you; you will have to prove you can manage the pressure.

Emily's ideas whirled with a concoction of terror and resolve. Driven just by the words of a man she had never met and the cruel, austere look of a billionaire with his own agenda, she was about to enter a world she knew nothing about. She was not going to turn back now, though, having gone this far on her own.

Daniel grabbed her a business card as she stood to go. "Don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you need any guidance or if you run across any problems. Emily, you are not alone in this.

She grabbed the card and nodded thanks as she slid it inside her bag. "thanks, Mr. Harris. I'll get back to you.

Emily left the café that evening, her head focused on the work ahead. Now, the streets of New York seemed different, more frightening, as though the city itself reflected the difficulties she was going to encounter. She felt a steely resolve developing inside her as she returned to the bookshop. James Sterling or the legacy her father left behind would not scare her. She would battle for her future, for her freedom, and for the opportunity to prove she was more than just a failing bookshop owner.

Emily arrived at her bookshop's door and discovered James Sterling staring blankly while leaning against the frame. "We have to talk," he replied, his voice low and firm. "Before you decide anything, you have to know something."

Emily looked at him and her heart missed a beat. What was he about to expose? And would it refute all she believed she understood about her inheritance?