My Husband Faked His Death For His Mistress

Talia

After that day, I began cementing my place within Hayes Corporation.

People were shocked to find me entering the building, fitted in a suit and looking stern despite the sallow paleness and manufactured eye bags.

Many had never seen me before in the workplace. Aside from the recent funeral, company events and constant press about our relationship, little was known about me.

Many doubted my ability to work, yet I was still greeted with open arms by the board and staff out of sympathy with the general consensus being that I came out of grief and my promise to fulfil David's wishes.

I would be given a nominal role, an illusion of power while they dealt with the company.

After all, I was an orphaned heiress and David's virtuous wife. What could I know about business?

It didn't phase me. This was only the beginning.

I worked subtly, never disrupting the current role whilst asserting my place. Despite their reservations I'd acquired my own team to handle affairs and overdue work. Soon, the board of directors were in awe at the efficiency and productivity at which I dealt with long shelved works and projects, their initial doubts about me fading.

And then, chaos suddenly fell.

Just as Jason executed, investments, partnerships and projects planned were soon being terminated and pulled one after the other in quick succession for flimsy reasons, causing the entire corporation to tremble. Many speculated but couldn't find the reason why.

Soon, panic spread and I, in the eyes of other partners and staff, looked like a calm anchor in the storm.

I openly shared a plan that left all of the shareholders confident. Incompetent people were replaced on the spot. Teams held onto me and I slowly guided the entire company through it, taking on people to personally acquire more projects on behalf of Hayes Corporation. Slowly but surely, despite the hard times, it looked like the company was getting back up on its feet again.

In aiding them through the storms, I'd gained the trust of several partners and staff. They no longer saw me as David's wife alone, but as a trustworthy CEO and member of the Hayeson Corporation.

Many of the projects that built Hayes Corporation were never gained by merit in the first place. From the moment I'd married David, I'd considered all my resources as his. The projects he couldn't get, connections and the assets he needed were provided either directly or through my connections and family name.

David wasn't competent either. Aside from charisma and general business knowledge, he held very little practical experience. Even the time spent as CEO had taught him little. Whilst he assisted in giving tasks, in truth I was the one doing most of the work, sneaking into his study to look over documents and fixing any potential mistakes.

He was always too proud to admit he needed help so I constantly slipped in subtle suggestions.

I believed my work was a silent sacrifice as his wife. He never said a word about it. There was no gratitude or appreciation. I had assumed he didn't notice.

Now I knew my silent sacrifices were noticed. He just loved to take advantage.

It was no wonder why he was so comfortable with leaving the company to me.

They had always believed that David was the stroke of genius that led Hayes' Corporation to greatness. Back then, I silently also let him take the credit. Now however, the truth was slowly unravelling.

Soon, new sets of rumors began spreading.

“Is it true that David's business prowess was actually obtained through his wife?”

“She seems more capable than him. Even that plan of hers is like the one he presented once but he barely gave details. Has she been helping him this whole time?”

Soon my name was being mentioned more amongst the business circles. I avoided parties while still mourning but my name was already spreading far and wide. I knew that it wouldn't be long for the Hayes family to notice it.

Throughout this period, they had constantly attempted to pester me. As promised, I'd sent them large sums of money for their upkeep regularly, constantly keeping check on them from their servants. But that wasn't what they wanted. They desired complete control and subservience from me, to ensure that I was kept under heel.

They had attempted several times to morally blackmail me, waiting at the gates of the mansion, but I'd already ensured that they weren't allowed to enter.

Then also came texts, some from Renee and others from Ellen and Jackson. Some of them were complaints and requests to retrieve things on their behalf. I made sure to answer every one properly, offering condolences and support, yet every avenue that brought up having to take care of them or move in was answered with an excuse to work.

I had visited twice throughout the entire week, even going as far as to personally pick out gifts in the presence of one or two familiar people.

Now, with my praises spreading, they grew dissatisfied.

How ridiculous.

They wanted me to serve them and slave away for the Hayes company but under the name of their ‘late’ son. They wanted my resources to help them rise but to never shine.

I knew that hearing this news alongside the changes I made to the company would make them feel out of control.

It was only a matter of time before they did something about it.

That day finally came.

Fiddling with the pen in my hands, I rested against the chair that once belonged to him. Aside from the chair and desk, I never touched a single belonging of his.

Many believed it was out of respect for him but my eyes, they were already dirty.

KNOCK.

The door opened. It was Jason who I hired during the crisis under the guise of needing a new assistant, ridding every trace of David's influence.

“Ma’am,” Jason said, “There are visitors waiting for you.”

I took a deep breath. Standing up, I straightened, confirming that every detail in my expression was precise.

And then, I stepped out.

When I entered, the board of directors were present along with my mother in law, father in law and Renee.