Chapter 32 Elena sat in her office after the inauguration, still processing the events of the day. To her surprise, most of the board members who had stood against her just yesterday were now openly supporting her. Only a small handful had dared to oppose her, their disapproval muted compared to before. A faint smile curved her lips as she recalled the stunned expression on Margaret’s face earlier, the way the woman’s phone nearly slipped from her hand when the announcement was made. That memory alone felt like a small victory. Shaking the thought away, Elena reached for a stack of files on her desk—handover documents from the previous administration. She began flipping through them with practiced eyes, but something felt… off. The numbers didn’t add up. Figures seemed shifted, reports didn’t match the bank statements she remembered. Her brow furrowed. A sinking feeling took hold in her chest, one she couldn’t ignore. She knew her grandmother had always kept a close watch over

"Nothing good can ever come out of you, Karvel. You can deceive others, but you can never deceive me you are nothing but a penniless bastard," Jessica spat, her eyes narrowing with bitter disdain. Karvel’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond. He simply shook his head slowly, the kind of shake that carried both disappointment and quiet resolve. Without another word, he turned and walked toward the door. His footsteps were heavy but steady, echoing faintly against the shop’s tiled floor. Jessica let out a sharp, irritated huff, her lips curling in frustration. She glanced around at the sparkling shelves, her fingers brushing over a delicate necklace she had been pretending to admire. But the sting of their exchange left her too flustered to even consider buying anything. With a loud scoff, she yanked her handbag over her shoulder and stomped out of the shop, heels clicking angrily until the sound faded into the street. --- The drive to the hospital was quiet for Karvel. His hands gr

“You don’t have to be scared about losing me,” Karvel said gently, his voice steady but warm. He reached out and placed his palm over hers, the gesture both firm and comforting. “I will always be your son, no matter what happens.”Mrs. Amelia nodded slowly, but her eyes shimmered with tears she couldn’t quite hold back. The weight of his words settled over her like a soft blanket—reassuring, yet reminding her of the fears she carried in silence.“Don’t cry, Mother,” Karvel murmured, his thumb brushing lightly over the back of her hand.She sniffed quickly and turned her head, hastily wiping the tears away with her free hand. “I’m not crying,” she replied, forcing a small smile as if the tears had been a trick of the light.Karvel studied her for a moment, seeing through the brave front she was trying to put on, but deciding not to press it. “You’ll be discharged tomorrow,” he said, shifting the conversation. “Before then, I’ll go see the doctor to make sure you’re perfectly fine.”Mrs

“What do you mean, what am I doing here?” Elena’s brows arched, her voice carrying a sharp edge. “Can’t I come to check on your mother?” Her gaze drifted downward, locking onto the sleek black card lying on the floor between them.“No, I didn’t mean it that way,” Karvel said quickly, his tone softening as he took a small step toward her. “It’s just… you didn’t tell me you’d be coming to visit my mother.”“I decided to drop by before heading to the office,” she replied with a shrug, though her eyes never left the card.She bent down gracefully, her hair falling over her shoulder as her hand reached for it but Karvel’s reflexes were faster. He scooped the card up in one swift motion and straightened, slipping it into his palm.Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Isn’t that… a black card? What are you doing with it?”Karvel gave a short laugh, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Oh, you mean this? Morrison gave it to me—to pay for my mother’s hospital bill.”Elena crossed her arms, her postu

"Please, Grandfather, you won’t stay long," Karvel said quietly, his tone more of a plea than a command. His eyes searched the older man’s face, hoping he would agree without resistance.Grandpa Jackson gave a slow nod, the corners of his lips twitching into a faint smile. "I’ve heard you. And for the record, it’s nice to have someone who can nag me," he said with a hint of playful sarcasm. "It’s been far too long since I’ve had anyone fuss over me. Truth be told, I’m happy to see you worry about me, Karvel." He tapped the top of his cane lightly against the floor. "Don’t worry, I’m not here to ruin your plans or meddle in whatever you’re keeping close to your chest. I came here to show my gratitude—and to pay my respects."Karvel gave a reluctant smile, though the tension in his shoulders didn’t ease. He gestured toward the hallway. "Alright then. Let’s go in."They walked together toward the ward, Morrison trailing just behind. The steady rhythm of Grandpa Jackson’s cane against the