Chapter 7 ADAMANT.

Tracy's day had to be one of the very worst moments she had ever faced . Greg just stepped out of the blue simply to taunt her . The same old was still the same , even though a good number of years had passed already. At this point, the young lady was torn into tiny pieces of the things she had to think about. Perhaps, worry about was a better way to put it. She was worried. But about what exactly?

Was it Steve leaving her back there? He probably thought she had something to do with Greg earlier on. Before she could make it to him, he left the premises of the complex.

Or was it the stock value issue? As the matter was , they had lost fifty percent of the value in the stock market. If it goes any lower than that, banks and other financial agencies would definitely start calling and calling. Before now, she would vow to go to any length to save the day. But with Greg spouting the crap about marriage, she has doubts about it.

She grabbed her phone and called her mother , Kathryn.

One ring... Two rings... Three rings...

" Hello, my dear. " Kathryn's voice spoke through the phone.

" Good evening, mom. Is Dad still in the hospital or has he been discharged?"

" What's with the seriousness in your tone?"

" Mom, I just need you to give me an answer right now. Is he still in the hospital or at home? "

" Are you sure you are okay?" Kathryn asked. " What's with the-"

Her words were cut off by the more stern tone of Tracy.

" Is he home already?!"

" Yes. Yes. He's at home. "

" Fine. I'm coming home now. "

Without giving the lady any chance to say any other word, she hit the red icon and flung the phone on the seat beside her. She had been driving to the hospital.

" Hmm." She let out a heavy breath , her leg hitting the gears and firing up her speed.

The drive to her house was quicker than expected. It was a very desperate situation. And she needed to take it all out on her father who was not being plain and clean with her. She parked the car and got off , her strides very firm and steady. When she got in , Kathryn was seated right on a sofa, her legs crossed and a remote control in her hand. On seeing her , Kathryn got up .

" Tracy. " Kathryn said , walking towards her daughter.

" Mom, where is dad?" Tracy asked , stopping for a bit. " You said he has been discharged already. "

" You sounded out of it on the phone. " Kathryn said, stroking her daughter's face. " Do you have a problem with Dad?"

" You really don't know what's going on?"

" I don't think I do. Your dad has told me to tell you he'll be waiting in your room. Is there something I should know?"

" Maybe you should ask your husband. "

Tracy walked away without looking back , her gaze very sharp and unflinching. Soon, she was walking right into her room. Mr James Hall sat right on her bed . It was obvious that the father had been eagerly waiting for his daughter.

" Dad. " Tracy said , walking straight to the bed and dropping off her bag.

" Are you back?" Mr James asked , his voice not revealing anything.

" Obviously, I am back. "

She walked straight to the study table and drew out the chair.

" Don't tell me this is true . I am in need of answers right now. "

" Since when did you learn to tell a lie to your father? "

Tracy scoffed. " Really? Are you for real, father? What lie did I tell? That I had it under control? " She sighed heavily. " You are the chairman of the Hall group for God's sake. And you were in the hospital basically because of the news. I didn't want to bother you more. Besides, it's not as if I had no control. "

" The stock dropped by five percent again. Hope you know the implication of that? "

" Are you trying to turn the tables around here, father? " Tracy stroked her hair. " That bastard son of bitch came to my office earlier ranting about what I can't seem.to place my hands on. What contract did you sign with him? "

Mr James said nothing.

" You are saying nothing. Greg or whatever the hell he said his name now came to the complex earlier today bluffing about you purposely sending me to his office so he can blab about the only way to save the group is getting married to him. That damned fellow arrogantly walked into my office while I was in a board meeting. " She rose from the chair . " Father, please, tell me this is not true."

" Tracy, I know how this may sound . But we might have to start to consider it as an option. "

Tracy stroked her hair hastily , her head spinning at the same time. She could not just believe what nonsense her father was spilling.

" What the heck are you saying?" Tracy asked, pointing her finger at nothing. " Did you really know about this? What contract , what damn contract did you sign ?! "

" That is not important at the moment."

" Are you for real?" Tracy stopped and stared at her father . " If that is not important according to you, then what is? Tell me. What is more important?"

" The group is at the verge of collapsing." Mr James said, rising to his feet. " If nothing is done , the group will collapse. As a matter of fact, it has started to crumble. "

" So.. so.." she wiped her face. " What you are trying to tell me at the moment is that you value the group more than me. Is that it? " She scoffed. " I can't believe this. "

" That is not what I am saying here. "

" What the fuck are you saying, dad?" Tracy asked, her hands grabbing her head.

" It took me twenty-one years of active service to this idea before it became a grand venture as it is now. I can't sit and watch it go down within a twinkle of an eye. I labored all these years to give you the life of joy you are living. "

" Is that why you want to snatch it? I have worked my ass off as the president of the Hall group. It's not like I am some sort of a useless and brainless daughter of a rich man who has just been occupying the position of president in the group because her father happens to be the chairman." She giggled. " I have given my time, my energy , my sweat and every freaking thing anyone can think of for the progress of the group! As a matter of fact, the group has a very good position, thanks to some of my efforts . There's no way I'm yielding to this . "

" It is a sacrifice we must make. You have to do it to save the day. Believe me, if there was any other way to put an end to this, I would not hesitate to follow it up. But right now, my hands are tied. "

Tracy didn't know her father to be a person who would not make any moves . She just could not place her hands on what the issue was at the moment. The man was obviously cowering but hiding it . But no way! She wasn't going to go in for it.

" I will rather see the Hall group crumble before my eyes than to get trapped in that marriage with that bastard son of a bitch!"

She grabbed her bag and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.