The final blow was about to land.James sat in his office, his fingers steepled together as he stared at the documents spread across his desk. It was all there—the last pieces of evidence that would bring Brandon Holt crashing down. Financial fraud, embezzlement, backdoor dealings—all carefully compiled, irrefutable.Victor stood across from him, arms crossed. “It’s ready. Once we release this, Brandon won’t just lose his company—he’ll lose everything.”James nodded but didn’t respond right away. His mind was calculating the risks, the consequences. He wasn’t just destroying a business rival. He was ensuring Brandon would never get up again.Pamela sat nearby, watching him closely. She had spent so much time doubting him, resisting the truth of who he had become. But now, as she saw the weight of responsibility in his eyes, she understood—James wasn’t just fighting for himself. He was fighting for all the people Brandon had trampled along the way.She reached out, placing a hand over

James barely reacted when Pamela told him about the dinner.Sitting across from her in their home, he simply leaned back, his expression unreadable. “So, they finally decided I’m worth their attention?”Pamela sighed. “It’s more than that. They’re trying to reconcile.”James scoffed. “Reconcile?” He set his glass down. “Let me guess—they realized I wasn’t the failure they thought I was, and now they want to be part of my success.”Pamela didn’t argue. She knew he was right.“James,” she said softly, reaching for his hand. “I’m not asking you to forgive them. But I need to know—how do you want to handle this?”James studied her, his gaze sharp. “I’ll handle it my way.”The car ride home was silent.Pamela sat beside James, staring out the window, lost in thought. The confrontation with her parents had drained her, leaving behind a dull ache in her chest.She had known this would happen. Had prepared for it. And yet, a small part of her had hoped—hoped that maybe, just maybe, her parent

Helen and George sat stiffly in the grand living room of James’s estate. The opulence around them was undeniable—the gleaming marble floors, the grand chandelier casting a golden glow, and the sheer size of the space were a testament to James’s success. It was a success they had once mocked, dismissed, and even tried to sabotage. Now, they sat as guests, uncertain of their place in his world.James stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable. Pamela sat beside him, her posture tense but composed. She had insisted on being here, though she hadn’t spoken much since her parents arrived.Helen cleared her throat, forcing a warm, motherly smile. “James, we just wanted to see you. We—” She faltered, searching for words that wouldn’t sound as empty as they felt. “We were wrong about you. About… everything.”George nodded stiffly, though his pride made it hard for him to meet James’s eyes. “You’ve built something remarkable, son,” he admitted. “It’

The golden hues of the evening sun stretched across the sky, painting the world in warm amber tones. From the balcony of their estate, James stood in quiet contemplation, his sharp eyes watching the two most important people in his life. Below, in the vast garden filled with blooming roses and the scent of fresh earth, Pamela sat on a stone bench, her gentle hands combing through their daughter’s long, silky hair. Emily giggled, her voice carrying through the air like a soft melody, and James felt an unfamiliar sensation settle in his chest—one he hadn’t allowed himself to fully embrace in years.Peace.For so long, his life had been a battlefield, a never-ending war fought in boardrooms and behind closed doors. He had battled enemies who sought to bring him down, crushed those who had tried to manipulate him, and risen from the ashes stronger each time. But this… this quiet moment of love and warmth… this was what he had truly been fighting for.A knock at the door pulled him from hi

The warm glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across the room as James carefully laid Emily down on her bed. She stirred slightly, her tiny fingers curling into the blankets, but her breathing remained steady, deep in sleep. Pamela tucked the covers around her, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before stepping back to stand beside James.For a long moment, they simply watched her—her peaceful expression, the slow rise and fall of her chest, the way her dark lashes rested against her cheeks. James could hardly believe how much she had grown. It felt like just yesterday she had fit in the crook of his arm, barely more than a fragile, helpless infant. Now, she was full of life, laughter, and dreams of her own.Pamela turned to James, her voice barely above a whisper. “She adores you, you know.”James glanced down at her, his features softening. “And I adore her.”Pamela smiled, looping her arm through his as they left the room, carefully closing the door behind them. The hallw