Walking in, Melody still walked behind Shadow making it almost impossible for them to see her due to their size difference. She was hidden by his broad back from the eyes of those in front of them.
Melody surveyed the place as they walked, it hadn't changed much from the last time she visited here with her father though there were visible changes in some parts, all the significant things that represented what the building stood for were untouched. A faint smile found its way to her lips when she saw all of that. She felt a sense of euphoria being in there. Despite the curious gaze of the people she has come across, there was no hostility in them.
In silence, they came to a stop before a room with about thirty seats, each seat was occupied by men and women who held a high status in the business except the four seats at the head of the table where Shadow came to stand.
Seeing him there, everyone who was seated stared at him and then at the butler whom they were all familiar with. They didn't know who the black woman was but they didn't question her for what he was doing there. Coming in with Shadow was enough to tell that she was allowed and Mr. James was also right there with her. That left the question of who the other woman was.
"Welcome, Shadow, we have been waiting," a man whom Melody assumed to hold the highest position among those present spoke. "I see that Mr. James has finally decided to grace us with his presence once again," he said with a wry smile, shifting his attention from Shadow to Mr. James. He found it easier and less intimidating to talk and lookl at the aged butler than at the masked man.
Without a word, Smith stepped aside and pulled the seat at the head of the table Melody. "Boss," he said with a bow of his head, taking everyone by surprise.
They had been told that Miss Nova was coming but they didn't believe it to be true. They thought it was just one of the ways Shadow had devices to bring them all to one place again. Seeing the young woman with him now was a shock they didn't anticipate. Her wearing a mask to hide her face made them suspicious but that was not voiced out yet, it was not the right time to speak on that.
After she was seated, Mr. James sat to her left and Shadow to her right while Abigail sat beside Mr. James. Their sitting positions alone were enough to make it clear who was the boss but some of them still could not believe it.
"With all due respect, Shadow, we would like an explanation," the same man spoke and there was an uproar from the others demanding the same thing. They stared at the young woman who doesn't look older than 25 years old trying to intimidate her but nothing seems to affect her. She sat unbothered by their stares and they became frustrated.
"Everyone," Mr.James called to their attention and their gazes moved from Melody to him. "I don't need to introduce myself, Mr. McCain has already made known to everyone who I am," he looked at Melody silently asking her permission to continue, it was time for her to be introduced to her people and he wanted to be sure she was ready. Melody gave him a nod of approval and he bowed.
Standing straight again, he looked at everyone seated there, staring each in the eyes until the very last person.
"Before us now is seated Miss Nova, the daughter of George and Emilia Nova," he declared and the huge hall fell into deep silence with all eyes back on Melody. "I stand here today to confirm her identity,"
"We are glad to hear that Miss Nova is alive and healthy, " a woman said with her eyes locked with Melody's embers. She might not know for sure if the woman sitting there was indeed Miss Nova but she recognised those embers of hers. They were the same as those of George Nova, piercing and fierce. "But how can we be sure that you are indeed who you claim her to be? We all know that she died 5-years ago," she continued giving a fleeting glance at Mr. James. "Take off your mask and we shall see if you truly are Miss Nova," she said and some people agreed while another argued, denying that that would be enough.
"Plastic surgery could make anyone look and appear as Miss Nova," Mr. McCain said, earning a frown from Melody, Smith, Mr. James and Abigail but the man did not care right now, he wanted proof. He would not bow his head to anyone who was an imposter. He had refused to bow to Jacob Nova in the past because he did not have the seal, he would not bow to a little girl who wasn't who she claims to be, if she wanted his support and loyalty as well as that if everyone else present, she must provide the seal and it must be verified as authentic before he would consider accepting her as the heiress. "Do you have the Boss's Seal? It was deemed lost with the Novas, if you can provide that…'' he trailed off leaving them thinking of what he had left unsaid. He stared into Melody's eyes and she held his gaze.
"I do have the Seal," Melody replied, speaking for the first time since she entered the hall. "Yes, I am Melody Nova, you know that too Uncle Silas," she said and the man's brows pulled together.
She used to call him that due to how close he was to her father but that too can be taught to her. "We would like to see the Seal of authority, Miss Nova, Show us the Boss' Seal," he demanded and they stared at each other. He could not deny the air of authority around her or the similarities between her and the late Mr. Nova, but still nothing was clear until it was made clear and proven.