The boardroom, usually a place of order and business discussion, had descended into chaos. The long mahogany table that stretched across the room was now surrounded by men and women in suits, all murmuring, whispering, and casting uncertain glances first at Ryan and then at the McCarthys and Julian who stood at the door like triumphant intruders.One of the women, a sharp-eyed executive with her hair tied neatly in a bun, raised her hand for silence.“Mr. McCarthy,” she said firmly, “you have barged into this meeting without invitation, and now you are throwing wild accusations. What exactly are you talking about? Explain yourself clearly.”Mr. McCarthy straightened his back, puffing out his chest as if this was the moment he had been waiting for all his life. His voice rang with exaggerated drama.“The truth,” he said, his eyes sweeping across the room. “The truth has weighed heavily on me for a long time. I did not know how to say it before, I wrestled with the guilt, but today I co

The atmosphere in Ryan’s office was unbearably tense. Claudia was angry—furious, in fact—about what had transpired in the boardroom earlier that day, and her fury had not dimmed even after hours had passed.She couldn’t sit still. Her heels clicked against the floor as she moved back and forth across the length of the office like a restless lioness trapped in a cage.Her arms were folded tightly across her chest, her nails digging into her sleeves as though sheer pressure could contain the frustration swirling inside her.Her eyes burned with anger, and every few seconds, she would shake her head in disbelief, muttering under her breath as though trying to make sense of what happened.Finally, she spun around, her voice rising slightly as she spoke.“How desperate can they be?” Claudia burst out, her tone sharp and incredulous. She threw her hands up, her expression was that of rage and disgust. “Tell me, Ryan—just how low will the McCarthys sink? To walk into a board meeting, uninvit

The moment Elizabeth stepped through the hidden door her eyes widened at the sight before her. The place didn’t look like a simple backroom of a bar. No. It looked like a space reserved for those who ruled from the shadows.Leather couches were arranged in a circle, gold accents shimmered under low chandeliers, and men in sharp suits and women dressed elegantly lounged with glasses of expensive wine, whispering in corners.Elizabeth’s heart thumped against her ribs, her throat suddenly dry. Still, she straightened her back, refusing to appear weak.The bartender led her further in, weaving past the silent stares of the people inside until they reached another door at the far end. This one was guarded by two tall men in black suits, their eyes cold, their hands resting casually near the holsters of hidden weapons.The bartender cleared his throat nervously. “There’s… someone here to see her.”The guards glanced at each other, their eyes narrowing, but they didn’t move. Instead, the doo

The McCarthy mansion buzzed with the kind of excitement that only came when someone else’s misery was the cause. Mr. McCarthy stood at the tall window, one hand pressed against the glass, grinning so wide his cheeks hurt. His reflection looked smug and satisfied, and he rather liked the way it suited him.Behind him, Mrs. McCarthy sat at the dining table, her posture perfectly straight, her hands folded in her lap like she was posing for a painting. But her eyes gleamed, and her lips couldn’t stop curving into a smile. She was delighted, absolutely delighted.Julian, meanwhile, lounged like a king in the armchair, legs spread, his arms dangling lazily at his sides. He wore a smug grin that made him look like he had just been crowned.“We did it,” Mr. McCarthy said finally, his voice dripping with satisfaction. He didn’t turn from the window. “We actually did it. Did you see Ryan’s face in that boardroom? He looked like a fool. A complete fool.”Mrs. McCarthy let out a loud laugh. “Oh,

The wide glass doors of the Nova headquarters opened, and Ryan stepped out into the afternoon sun. Claudia walked close beside him, her face tight with anger and disbelief, her fingers curled into fists. Ryan and Claudia moved toward the waiting car at the curb.But before he could reach the car, a familiar voice rang out behind him, loud and mocking.“Well, well, well,” Mr. McCarthy called, his tone dripping with satisfaction. “Look who finally crawled out of the lion’s den.”Ryan stopped, his shoulders stiffening. Slowly, he turned, and there they were.Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy stood side by side, smugness written across their faces, their posture screaming triumph. Julian lounged slightly behind them, but the smirk on his lips was unmistakable.Claudia’s eyes flashed with anger. “Of course,” she muttered bitterly. Ryan raised his chin, his calm gaze meeting theirs. “You have something to say?” he asked evenly.Mr. McCarthy chuckled, stepping forward, his hands clasped behind his bac