Chris Devoe's office was on the top floor of the Devoe Industries building—a sprawling glass and steel structure that dominated the downtown skyline. The office itself was ostentatiously decorated with expensive art, imported furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city like a throne room surveying its kingdom.But right now, none of that opulence mattered.Chris stood behind his massive mahogany desk, his face contorted with rage, his hands trembling with barely controlled fury. Gerald Roden had just finished explaining the day's events at Whitewater Corporation—Linda's spectacular failure, Pervis's methodical destruction of the accusations, the evidence that had turned the entire office against their planted agent.For a moment, Chris just stood there, breathing heavily, his jaw clenched so tight it looked painful. Then, with a roar of pure rage, he swept his arms across his desk, sending documents, pens, his laptop, his coffee mug—everything—flying across the ro

Chris Devoe stared at his phone screen, his father's name flashing insistently. His hand trembled slightly as he swiped to answer, pressing the device against his ear."Father, I—""Shut your mouth!" Magnus Devoe's voice exploded through the speaker, loud enough that Gerald flinched from across the room. "Do you have any idea what you've done, you incompetent fool?"Chris's jaw tightened. "Father, if you'd just let me explain—""Explain?" Magnus's laugh was harsh and bitter. "Explain how you sent thugs after the Coleman sisters? Explain how you've single-handedly destroyed a business relationship our family has maintained for over two decades? Is that what you want to explain to me?"Gerald shifted uncomfortably, his eyes fixed on the floor. The veins in Chris's neck bulged as he struggled to maintain composure."Those sisters have been interfering with my plans," Chris protested. "Grace has rejected me repeatedly, and that bottom-feeder Pervis—""That bottom-feeder?" Magnus's voice d

Chris slammed the phone down on his desk with such force that the entire surface shuddered. The sound echoed through the office like a gunshot, but Chris didn't seem to notice. He simply sat there, frozen, his mouth hanging open as he stared at nothing.Gerald shifted nervously from foot to foot, watching his partner's complete breakdown with growing unease. "Chris?" he ventured carefully. "Are you... is everything okay?"No response. Chris remained motionless, his eyes glazed over, his breathing shallow and rapid."Chris?" Gerald tried again, louder this time. Still nothing. It was as if the man had turned to stone.Gerald hesitated, then reached out and touched Chris's shoulder. "Hey, snap out of—"The moment Gerald's hand made contact, Chris jolted violently. His head whipped around, eyes blazing with fury as he shoved Gerald away with both hands."Get away from me!" Chris snarled.Gerald stumbled backward, barely catching himself against the edge of a filing cabinet. "What the hel

Chris Devoe stared at his phone screen, his jaw tightening as he saw the caller ID flash across the display. Magnus Devoe. His father. The one man whose disappointment cut deeper than any business loss.For a moment, Chris considered letting it ring. But that would only make things worse. With a sharp inhale, he swiped to answer."Father, I—""Shut your mouth!" Magnus's voice exploded through the speaker, raw with fury. "Do you have any idea what you've done? Any comprehension of the shitstorm you've dragged this family into?"Chris's throat went dry. He'd never heard his father this angry. "If this is about yesterday's incident, I can explain—""Explain?" Magnus let out a bitter laugh. "You think there's an explanation that makes this acceptable? You attacked the Coleman sisters! The Coleman sisters, Chris! Are you completely brain-dead, or do you just have a death wish for this entire family?"Gerald, still standing before Chris's desk, shifted uncomfortably. His eyes darted toward

As Jeffrey hurried off to carry out her instructions, Aria allowed herself a moment to breathe. Her hand, which had remained steady throughout the confrontation, trembled slightly now that she was alone.She'd almost been struck. If Jeffrey hadn't arrived when he did...But he had. And now Chris Devoe would face consequences from multiple directions.Aria straightened her jacket and headed toward her office, her heels clicking purposefully against the floor. She had work to do.Meanwhile, across the city at Mercy Heights Medical Center, Alicia Brennan sat beside her mother's hospital bed, watching the older woman sleep peacefully. The surgery was scheduled for tomorrow morning, and despite her anxiety about the procedure, Mrs. Brennan looked more relaxed than Alicia had seen her in months.Dawn sat in the corner, scrolling through her phone. "The doctor said Mom's vitals are looking good," she commented quietly. "Better than they've been in years.""It's because she's not stressed abo