Elena’s world was already crumbling. She stood there, completely devastated. Even when everyone was calling out her name to exit the premises, she refused to step even an inch away. Edgar had to quickly come out and save Rita who was lying unconscious on the floor. After rescuing Rita, Edgar rushed out to Elena, running as fast as he could to save her from the heavy pillar which was about to fall on her. Before the pillar could land on Elena, Edgar pulled her off. Yelling “It’s obvious you want to die, isn’t it?” Elena shook her head, tears dropping from her eyes. “I deserve to die, Edgar!” She yelled. “What’s the essence of being alive when I have lost almost everything which makes me happy?” She turned to her mother who was still lying unconscious. “My mother. My company. Even my properties! Tell me, Edgar. What’s the essence of being alive when I will just end up getting in so much pain?” Edgar nodded with what Elena said, wiping the tears dropping from her eyes. “You have t

Elena drove like a storm was chasing her. On the way, she had already sent messages to the remaining board members, invoking the clause in their contracts that allowed them to demand refunds for their shares.By the time she arrived, they were already gathering.Stepping out of her car, Elena paused, her eyes locked on the gleaming structure before her—the Froston Empire building. The empire she had poured her blood and soul into. The same empire she was now being forced to let go of... just to save herself.Tears brimmed in her eyes, hot and bitter. She still couldn’t believe it had come to this. Selling her life’s work to survive.But survival comes first, she reminded herself, blinking back the tears and straightening her shoulders.Inside, a few employees offered weak, hesitant greetings.“Good afternoon, Ma’am,” one mumbled.Others avoided eye contact altogether, pretending she wasn’t there.She didn’t respond. Her heels echoed down the marble hallway as she marched to the boardr

Elena’s voice cracked, barely a whisper. Her fingers trembled over the final page of the acquisition documents as her eyes locked on the bold name printed across the signature line: Franco Milton.Her heart dropped.She blinked once. Twice. As if the name might disappear if she just looked hard enough. But it remained undeniable. Permanent.“No... it can’t be,” she choked out, her fingertips brushing the spot where she had nearly signed.Franco, her ex-husband. The man she once humiliated for dreaming too small. The man she mocked for his inability to afford anything beyond a cramped, failing apartment. The man she walked away from without looking back.And now?He had bought her company.Her company. The empire she’d built from the ground up just to prove she didn’t need him.Elena’s breath grew ragged as she flipped through the pages again, her hands shaking so violently she could barely hold the contract. The room went still. The legal team exchanged anxious glances but said nothin

Maya walked forward, ready to strike Elena. Maybe a slap or something worse. Her anger trembled in her hands. But before she could make a move, Edgar grabbed her arm and pulled her back.“That’s not necessary, Maya,” he said coolly, his grip firm but calm. “Your mother’s still not in a good state. Don’t start a fight with your sister.”Maya whipped around to face him, eyes blazing. “My sister?” she repeated mockingly, stabbing a finger in Elena’s direction. “I lost respect for that woman months ago. She’s not my sister, Edgar. I only have two people in my life now—my mother and you. I don’t need Elena. I never did.”Elena stepped forward, her voice sharp with mockery. “What if I tell you I’ve never acknowledged you as my sister either?”“You cheated on me with Edgar!” Maya shouted, her voice cracking with fury. “You were supposed to be family, but you went behind my back, slept with him, and even bore his child? What kind of lowlife are you?”Elena blinked, stunned by the venom. But M

Franco slammed the brake and pulled off his seatbelt in one swift motion. His pulse thudded in his ears. He had to speak with that woman or at least find out who she was.He jumped out of his car and sprinted toward the commotion, where the woman had been arguing with the driver just moments ago.But before he could get close, the car screeched and sped off."Aish!" Franco hissed, slamming his palm against the tree beside him in frustration. His breath came short. That woman—he had to talk to her. There was something about her. Something he couldn’t shake.Luckily, a small crowd still lingered.He rushed over to one of them. "Do you happen to know who that woman is?"The man glanced at him, shaking his head. "No, I don't. I'm just a passerby. Stopped to help when I saw the ruckus.""Alright, thank you," Franco said quickly, already turning to the next person.“Do you know who that lady is?”“You mean the one arguing with the driver?” the woman asked.“Yes,” Franco nodded eagerly. “Tha