Chapter 144The announcement arrived quietly at first.An internal memo circulated through executive channels before dawn, its language precise and polished, each word weighed carefully as if it carried more than information—it carried reassurance.The Chairman will formally resume control of the company in two days’ time.That single sentence sent ripples through every department.By midmorning, the news had spread beyond boardrooms and offices, spilling into business forums, investor chats, and whispered conversations in glass-walled conference rooms. Analysts speculated. Employees straightened their backs. Partners who had been growing restless suddenly became patient again.The reason followed soon after.The Chairman has been occupied with urgent overseas matters, which required his continued absence. All major decisions have been temporarily delegated under his instruction. His return marks the beginning of a new operational phase.It was vague. Intentionally so.But to those wh

Chapter 146Princess Elowen hadn’t planned to disobey Leon.But unease had been growing in her chest all morning.It started when she woke up.The dream still clung to her bones—fragments of collapsing skies, Adrian’s fading silhouette, a gate that refused her passage. Even after opening her eyes, the weight of it refused to leave.Leon had brushed it off, as always.“Dreams here mean nothing,” he had said calmly. “You’re safe.”Safe.The word echoed strangely now.Elowen sat on the edge of the bed, fingers clenched in the sheets. Something was wrong. Not loudly. Not obviously. But subtly—like a thread pulled too tight.She pressed a hand to her chest.Her spiritual flow felt… uneven.Muted.Blocked in places it shouldn’t be.That realization alone was enough to make her stand.Lysa had gone out earlier with a list Leon gave her. Leon himself had stepped out “to handle work matters,” leaving Elowen alone in the apartment.Alone with thoughts she could no longer ignore.“If my power fe

The Coles Conglomerate headquarters shone like a beacon in the heart of the city. Glass walls reflected the early morning sun, cascading light across the polished marble floors and the towering logo of the company. The air inside was electric with activity. Every executive, assistant, and security personnel moved with precision, each step choreographed to project efficiency and readiness.The boardroom buzzed with urgency. Screens displayed graphs, financial projections, and project updates. Departments were finalizing reports, rehearsing presentations, and double-checking every detail for the chairman’s arrival. This wasn’t just a routine inspection; the company needed to appear flawless, disciplined, and fully prepared for the ultimate authority in their hierarchy.Evan Cole leaned against the polished mahogany table in the center, watching the activity with a composed smile. His hands were folded behind his back as he nodded occasionally, acknowledging updates from various managers

The low growl of a sports car cut through the noise outside the Cole Conglomerate.Heads turned instinctively.A sleek black machine slid to a smooth stop at the curb, its design sharp and unapologetic—nothing flashy, nothing excessive. Just power restrained.The engine went silent.For a brief second, no one moved.Then the driver’s door opened.Adrian Cole stepped out alone.He adjusted his cuffs calmly, straightened his jacket, and lifted his gaze toward the towering building ahead. The glass exterior reflected his figure—composed, unhurried, and utterly indifferent to the stares already gathering.No entourage. No assistants. No attempt to announce himself.Just him.Reporters froze mid-sentence.“Is that—?”“No way—”“Who is he?”Before anyone could react properly, Adrian walked forward.Security instinctively stepped aside.Something about his presence made hesitation feel foolish.Inside the hall, the atmosphere shifted the moment he entered.Lucas was the first to notice.He s

Chapter 152The atmosphere inside the grand hall had thickened into something almost tangible.Anticipation.Suspicion.Restlessness.Director Isabella Reyes had just stepped down from the stage after her measured speech, leaving the crowd suspended in uncertainty. Conversations restarted in hushed tones, but no one dared to leave their seat.Because something was coming.They could feel it.Near the center aisle, Evan Cole’s expression darkened. His father had leaned back into his chair, arms crossed, eyes narrowed thoughtfully.“This is deliberate,” his father muttered. “She’s buying time.”Evan nodded slowly.But he wasn’t watching the stage anymore.He was watching Isabella.She had stepped off to the side, speaking briefly with Aaron before dismissing him with a subtle nod. Her composure was immaculate, but there was a confidence about her that unsettled him.Too confident.Evan adjusted his cuffs and rose from his seat.“Where are you going?” his father asked quietly.“To clear