Donovan's carefully constructed facade crumbled as rage rose like bile in his throat. His face flushed crimson, the professional veneer dissolving into something primal and unrestrained."Let me make myself perfectly clear, Mr. Takeda," he snarled, slamming his palm against the conference table. The water glasses jumped, sending tiny splashes across the polished surface. "I will repeat myself just this once."He leaned forward, looming over Jason, who remained unnervingly calm in his seat. The red ring gleamed on the young man's finger as he casually tapped it against the armrest."If you don't withdraw your proposal and sign over your patents by close of business tomorrow," Donovan continued, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "I will personally ensure that you are financially and professionally obliterated. No one will touch you or your work ever again."A vein throbbed visibly at Donovan's temple as he straightened. "I've sat quietly through your insolence long enough. Did you

The silence expanded like poison gas, filling every corner of the room. The boss's pleas hung in the air, unanswered. The visitor—the connection to Victoria—remained unmoved, his expression a perfect mask."Please," the boss's voice cracked further, desperation clawing at his throat. "Look at me. Say something."But the man's eyes drifted past him, surveying the room with clinical detachment. The boss might as well have been invisible."I have money," he whispered, pressing his forehead to the cold floor, dignity abandoned. "Not just what we took from Maya. More. Much more. In accounts overseas. Properties in three countries. It's all Victoria's if she wants it."From the corner, Jason watched his once-feared boss dissolve into a puddle of fear. He'd never seen the man like this—the boss who'd once broken a man's fingers one by one for shorting him fifty dollars.The boss turned his head, seeking support from his men. Their eyes slid away, no one willing to meet his gaze."You," he ba

Madam Victoria stood there, her heart swelling with pride as she watched the scene unfold. The weight that had pressed on her chest moments ago seemed to lift, replaced by pure, genuine joy. She couldn't stop smiling. Jason had handled everything so perfectly — calm, steady, and yet so commanding. It was as if he had been born to take charge.Around her, a few staff members had also gathered, and whispers of admiration began to ripple through the room."Jason did really well," one of them said in a hushed voice, as if still processing the sheer skill with which Jason had diffused the situation."The way he just handled everything... it's like he didn't even blink," another added, clearly impressed.Madam Victoria nodded proudly, her eyes glistening slightly. She couldn't hold back her happiness anymore. "That boy..." she said softly, almost to herself. "He is something else."Meanwhile, the young man who had come in earlier — the one who had been anxiously hovering — quietly realized

At that moment, Madam Victoria opened her mouth, about to say something, her face already showing signs of defending Emma’s fiancé.But before she could even get a word out, Zane stepped forward, his voice firm and cutting through the room."That’s not even true," Zane said coldly, his eyes locking onto her."I can categorically tell you, Madam Victoria, that Emma’s boyfriend didn’t do anything."The words hung heavy in the air, the tension thickening.Zane crossed his arms, not caring about the uncomfortable stares around him."He’s just bragging," Zane continued sharply, his voice dripping with disdain. "Trying to steal credit for something he didn’t even do."Madam Victoria’s lips parted slightly, as if wanting to argue, but the way Zane spoke—so direct and certain—left her hesitating."I don’t like people like this," Zane said, shaking his head in disappointment. "The kind of people who want to boast with the little thing they have... when deep down, they know the truth."His voic

Emma wasn’t finished.Her emotions were pouring out now, raw and unstoppable, she took another shaky breath, her voice cracking with anger and deep hurt."But we are just praising him, right?" Emma said bitterly, her hands trembling as she gestured wildly."When I got into my school... well, because my school isn't as big as Jason’s... and it’s not as tough as Jason’s... you just cast me aside."Her voice grew louder, and the words tumbled out faster now."You don’t even listen to me anymore," she said, her heart pounding hard against her ribs."You don't do anything concerning me. You just... you just let it be like I'm all alone... like I don’t know what I'm doing!"She wiped angrily at the tears beginning to gather at the corners of her eyes, her chest heaving."You’re so biased!" Emma cried out, her voice filled with a raw kind of pain."I don't even understand it!"She shook her head slowly, her heart breaking all over again."Why would you be taking care of a stranger better tha