Wisdom Fargo stumbled into the office like a man heading to the gallows. His cheek was swollen grotesquely, the skin stretched tight and purple, and when he tried to close his mouth, the jagged gap where two teeth used to be made him look even more pitiful. Every step seemed to hurt. His shoulders hunched in on themselves as if he was trying to disappear.Selena didn’t even try to mask her disdain. She leaned back in her chair, eyes cold, voice flat and cutting.“Director Fargo,” she said, each syllable dripping with ice, “what could possibly justify you barging into my office like this?”Wisdom’s gaze darted between her and Jaden, who was lounging in the corner like he had all the time in the world, casually flipping through a newspaper. Jaden didn’t even look up.Swallowing hard, Wisdom forced what might have been a smile if not for the swelling. “Mr. Rift… Ms. Verrick… I—”Three knocks at the door cut him off.“President Selena,” Monica’s voice came from outside, brisk and professi

"I’ll make it up to you! I’ve already ordered a Rolls-Royce. When it arrives, I’ll deliver it to you myself!"Destroying a BMW and compensating with a Rolls-Royce wasn’t just sincerity—it was desperation wrapped in luxury.Wisdom’s voice cracked as he scrambled to sweeten the deal. "Mr. Rift… Ms. Verrick… I was out of line. I should never have spat insults at Ms. Verrick or tried to reach for someone far above my league. I was wrong! Please, Mr. Rift—have mercy on this old dog!"And to drive the point home, he started slapping himself. Hard.The sharp smack of palm on skin echoed in the air, each blow making his already swollen face angrier and more grotesque. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, but he didn’t slow down.Travis watched him, first with disbelief, then with a grudging nod. This guy’s got no pride left… but at least he knows how to beg properly.Wisdom’s breathing turned ragged, but he still didn’t dare stop without Jaden’s word.Selena’s eyes flickered with unease

Pulling out a chair with deliberate weight, Elias lowered himself into it like he owned the place. The scrape of the legs against the marble floor cut through the quiet room. Behind him, Talon, Elisabeth, and two broad-shouldered bodyguards stood in rigid formation, hands clasped neatly behind their backs, their presence more threat than formality.A slow, knowing smile curved Elias’s lips, his gaze never leaving Selena."Why else would I be here," he said, voice dripping with casual arrogance, "if not to talk business with you? From what I hear, Rift Corporation is running on fumes. Desperate for investors, aren’t you?"Selena’s brows drew together. She didn’t like the way he said it — like her struggles were an open secret for him to toy with."You’re really here to invest in our company?" she asked, her tone flat but edged with doubt.Elias chuckled, the sound low and rich, leaning back like he was settling in for a game. "Of course. Why else would I come knocking?"Her eyes narrow

Selena’s gaze stayed fixed on the crumpled contract lying at her feet. Her teeth worried at her bottom lip, a nervous habit she hated but couldn’t stop. The room felt smaller, the air heavier, as if the walls themselves were closing in on her indecision.If she refused to sign, the Greyfield project would grind to a halt. No money meant Rift Corporation would bleed out until it collapsed, and everything she’d built would be scattered to the wind.If she signed, the Verrick family’s claws would sink in deep. They’d strip the profits bare, fatten themselves off her labor, and leave her with scraps — a glorified servant to their greed.She didn’t notice Jaden watching her until his voice cut through the tension, low and mocking."Heh. Just like I said. You people really are a pack of dogs. The moment one is weak, the rest start tearing into it. Don’t agree to their terms, dear."Her head turned sharply toward him, eyes searching his face for an answer he wasn’t supposed to give so easily

Selena stood rooted to the spot, her gaze sweeping over the line of men in expensive suits, each waiting to sign their names and pour money into her project. The surrealism of the moment hit her hard. She almost questioned if she’d finally lost it and drifted into some too-perfect dream.On the other side of the room, Elias’s composure was hanging by a thread. His jaw clenched so tightly it looked like it might crack, and a vein throbbed visibly at his temple. He wasn’t just angry—he was seconds away from an aneurysm.Selena took a slow, measured breath, willing her heartbeat to steady. When she finally moved, it was with deliberate confidence, heels clicking against the polished floor as she approached the table to oversee the contracts. Her fingers skimmed over each page, her signature neat and firm, sealing the deals one after another.By the time the last pen was set down, she had secured seven hundred million. Just like that, Rift Corporation’s looming financial disaster had evap