Chapter 133The evening sky burned orange as the sun dipped below the horizon, its fading light spilling through Selena’s bedroom window. She stood before the mirror, holding her phone to her chest and rereading the message for the fifth time.> Dinner tonight? Just you and me — 8 p.m. Don’t be late.— AlexanderHer heart fluttered as if it had been waiting for those words for years. For the first time in a long while, she caught herself smiling without trying to hide it.“Dinner date,” she whispered softly, testing the words out loud. It felt strange — yet comforting.She turned back to the mirror, scanning her closet like a woman preparing for war — only this time, it was a battle between elegance and nerves. Her fingers trailed across the fabrics: silks, velvets, cotton, lace. Finally, she stopped at a simple emerald-green dress — modest yet striking, the color bringing out the warmth in her eyes.Her mother, Mrs. Vega, peeked into the room just as Selena began to zip up the back o

Chapter 135Author’s POVThe night air was soft and cool, brushing gently against Selena’s skin as she stepped out of the cab. The city lights shimmered like fallen stars across the water. Ahead, the restaurant stood in elegant silence — a private rooftop dining venue overlooking the city skyline, reserved only for the elite.She paused for a moment, gazing up at the building’s glass facade, her heart fluttering nervously in her chest.When Alexander had called earlier, his tone had been warm but serious. “There’s something important I need to tell you,” he’d said. That alone had been enough to make her restless all afternoon.She smoothed her hair and glanced at her reflection in the glass door before stepping inside. The hostess immediately recognized her and smiled politely.“Miss Vega? Mr. Morrelo is waiting for you upstairs,” she said.Selena nodded, murmured a polite thank-you, and followed the hostess to the elevator. The ride up was silent except for the faint hum of the city

Chapter 137Alexander stood in the marble-floored lobby, watching as Jeffrey exited the elevator with his usual air of self-importance. The man was dressed impeccably, his silver cufflinks gleaming under the fluorescent lights, his lips curved into a smile that never reached his eyes.Alexander’s jaw tightened. He had been waiting for this moment all morning.“Mr. Jeffrey,” he called out evenly.Jeffrey paused mid-step, clearly startled to see him. His brows shot up, though the surprise faded quickly behind a practiced mask of politeness. “Alexander,” he said with a faint smile. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here. Shouldn’t you be in your office, settling into your... new role?” His tone dripped with subtle mockery.Alexander ignored the jab. “I was hoping to have a word with you,” he said calmly.Jeffrey’s gaze darted to his watch. “I’m on my way to an important appointment. Can we discuss this later?”Alexander stepped forward, blocking his path with quiet authority. “It won’t take

Chapter 139The office felt too quiet after the directors’ stormy exit. Their accusations still echoed in the boardroom walls—words sharp enough to cut through Alexander’s composure. He stood beside the large windows, hands in his pockets, jaw clenched, watching the faint lights of the city shimmer far below.He heard the door open behind him.“Alexander.”His father’s voice carried disappointment and something heavier—worry.Alexander straightened. “Dad—”“Sit,” Mr. Morrelo said, not harshly, but with the authority of a man who had spent decades taming boardrooms and crises. “We need to talk.”Alexander obeyed quietly, sinking into the leather chair across from his father. For a moment, Mr. Morrelo simply studied him, as though trying to understand the son he raised and the man he was becoming.“That,” Mr. Morrelo began, “is not how you run a company.”Alexander inhaled but didn’t speak.“You don’t confront directors as though they’re criminals,” Mr. Morrelo continued. “Even when you

Chapter 141Jeffery didn’t sleep that night.His office lights stayed on past midnight, the curtains drawn, the air thick with his growing frustration. Every attempt he made to turn the directors against Alexander had failed. The more he tried, the more suspicious they became of him.He paced the floor like a caged animal, palms sweaty, jaw clenched.“All of them betrayed me… after everything I’ve done for this company,” he muttered bitterly.But deep down, he knew the truth:No one betrayed him.He simply miscalculated Alexander—underestimated him. And now Alexander was gaining control faster than Jeffery could tear it down.A knock suddenly sounded at his door.Jeffery stiffened. “Who is it?”“It’s me, sir,” a familiar voice whispered from the hallway.Jeffery quickly opened the door and pulled the man inside—the spy he had hired for years.“Why are you here?” Jeffery demanded sharply. “I told you never to come to my office.”“I—I have new information,” the spy said nervously.Jeffe