The horn blared violently—long and angry, snapping Sophia out of her daze like cold water on skin.She slammed the brakes just in time, her entire body jerking forward as the car came to an abrupt halt. Her hands clutched the steering tightly, and her knuckles were pale from pressure. The flashy white SUV in front had stopped, caught in the gridlock. She had almost rammed into it.Her chest rose and fell quickly. Her heart thudded so loud that she could hear the echoes. But it wasn’t the near accident that shook her; it was everything that had just happened at the Ainsley Group headquarters.Michael.Michael Hargrove.The same man she kicked out of her house because he was poor and useless to her. The same man Victoria made mop her room daily without rest. The same man she had humiliated, thrown out like trash, forgotten as though he was a stain in her life.He was the President?She pressed her hand hard against her chest, trying to stop the shakiness that was beginning to creep int

Michael stood quietly in the living room of his uncle’s mansion, waiting. He had arrived early as instructed the day before. The mansion was quiet, calm, and as always, carried that scent of old wealth and heavy conversations. He didn’t need to be told why he was invited to follow Pa Coleman today; it was clear from the phone call. This wasn’t just about paying a visit. It was about business. Expansion. Influence.Michael had no plans to enter politics, not now or later, but he understood how deep connections could help his business empire grow. The man they were going to meet, Collins White, was a strong name in the business circle and now, a fast-rising aspirant for the next City’s Mayor. The timing was strategic.Not long after, the door creaked open and Pa Coleman stepped out from his room. Dressed in a simple native wear, his back straight and steps firm, he looked like a man still in his sixties instead of his actual seventy-plus years.Michael rose immediately.“You’re ready

“I wish I knew,” Michael said quietly, his shoulders lifting in a small shrug. His eyes followed the trail of Veronica, her figure disappearing into the house like a shadow. Sonia stood there, watching him. Her brows pulled slightly together, her gaze fixed on his face. She was trying to read him, searching for something, maybe a sign of guilt, a flicker of hidden truth, but all she saw in his eyes was clarity, calmness… honesty. She sighed, looking away briefly, then back at him. Her heart told her to trust him, and her instincts didn’t disagree. Veronica had never made it easy to be taken seriously. Her record of manipulation, outbursts, and endless complaints had watered down her credibility. Everyone, including Sonia, had grown used to ignoring most of her accusations. Even Collins didn't take her seriously anymore. In fact, her rant seemed like nothing but bitterness laced with jealousy. Collins smiled to himself as he watched Sonia and Michael still standing close

The Waterstone Manor was already aglow with golden lights and the low hum of chatter. Chairs arranged in luxurious rows, and uniformed ushers guiding the elite to their seats; it was clear that today’s auction was not the regular kind. It was one of those events meant for the topmost circle—men and women whose names alone could turn economies.Sophia sat quietly beside her mother in the second row, closer to the middle section. Her face was calm, but inside her, there was still a storm from everything that had happened in the past few days. Her mother, Martha, rested back lazily in her seat, arms folded, her eyes combing the gathering for familiar faces.More people continued to enter, with flashes from journalists’ cameras occasionally flooding the hall as guests of great importance stepped in. A few minutes passed. Then, something happened.There was a sudden stir at the entrance—first whispers, then rising murmurs, and finally, loud reactions. Heads began to turn, even reporter

It was about 11:50pm when Sophia stirred from her sleep. Her throat felt dry, and her head ached lightly from all the overthinking she’d been doing since she came back from the auction. She got up and quietly walked to the fridge in the kitchen. As she reached for a cold bottle of water, a sound came from the front door.She paused.“Who’s there?” she asked softly, peering in the direction of the entrance.No response.Only the sound of someone breathing heavily on the other side.Her heart skipped a beat. She stood still for a few seconds, contemplating whether to ignore it or check. Against better judgment, she walked cautiously to the door, gripped the handle, and slowly pulled it open.There, right at the doorstep, lay Victoria, unconscious.Sophia gasped and knelt immediately beside her. “Victoria!” she called, shaking her gently. Thankfully, her sister was still breathing, but the foul stench of alcohol escaping her mouth told Sophia everything she needed to know.She tapped h