Georgia turned her back on Lance completely, adjusting her diamonds as if he no longer existed. She cleared her throat, addressing the wealthy crowd to salvage the night. "Please, everyone, let us ignore this garbage. Let's move inside to the grand dining hall for the main ceremony. It is getting late, and we have a celebration to attend to!The guests gladly turned away from Lance, whispering insults as they filed into the mansion's main ballroom.Inside, the grand hall was spectacular. A massive, towering birthday cake sat on the center stage. As the guests took their seats, they looked at Georgia with a completely new level of deep respect.It was true that the Sinclair family business was crumbling and on the verge of bankruptcy, but a direct recognition and a gift from the General himself? That changed everything. She had instantly become the most important topic of the entire region. It was almost impossible for a civilian family to get such an honor, and the crowd was already w

Georgia and Elena leaned in to look. The official Astra Corp staff list was scrolling on the screen. Darren’s sister's name was completely missing."You lying piece of trash!" Darren yelled, his voice cracking as sweat began to bead on his forehead. "She still works there! This is just a glitch or a fake app!" He quickly pulled up his own phone, scrambling to find an old picture of his sister's corporate ID badge to show them. "See? Here is her official ID card! She is an executive!""If you think I am lying, you still have Selene's number on that key card," Lance countered, his expression completely relaxed. "Why don't you text her right now and ask her directly if Darren's sister still works at Astra Corp?"Isabelle looked at Darren's nervous face and then at her mother. "That's actually true, Mom. There is no harm in asking. If Darren is telling the truth, a quick text will prove it."Darren’s heart began to hammer against his ribs. Deep down, he was sweating profusely, knowing his

The secretary tried desperately to calm her down, raising her hands. "Please, ma'am, calm down. Those are just the strict security rules of Astra Corp. No one passes without an appointment.""Fine! I will call her right now and have her personally come down here to fire you!" Elena sneered.She whipped out her phone and furiously dialed the emergency number that had been printed on the smart-key box from the night before. She placed it to her ear, waiting to gloat.“The number you have dialed does not exist. Please check the number and try again.”Elena’s face flushed with confusion. She had absolutely no idea that a high-ranking military operative like Selene changed her private communication encryption numbers frequently for security reasons."What?" Elena muttered, sweat breaking out under her makeup. She dialed the number again, but the automated operator gave the same cold response. The number did not exist.Seeing Elena’s sudden hesitation, the receptionist spoke up firmly. "Ma'

Instantly, a dozen neatly dressed service staff rushed over in a panic. Two women immediately and gently collected Isabelle’s handbag, holding it with gloved hands as if it were made of solid gold."This way, please, ma," the secretary said, her voice shaking violently as she personally bowed and gestured toward the secure corridor.The onlookers and wealthy businessmen lounging in the lobby watched in absolute, stunned silence. They gasped as the staff escorted this simply dressed woman past all security checkpoints, leading her directly to the ultra-private gold elevator, an elevator strictly reserved for only the General and Selene themselves.Isabelle’s head was spinning. When the elevator doors finally chimed and opened on the top floor, she felt like she was living inside a dream.Standing right there in the hallway, waiting for her, was Selene herself. The second-in-command of the entire military and corporate region was holding the heavy double doors of her private office wide

She sat alone in the quiet vehicle, feeling a deep, suffocating sense of shame and disgrace. Trembling, she pulled down the car’s front visor mirror to look at the horrific damage on her face. Her left cheek was completely swollen, painted in deep purple and blue bruises, and a thick white bandage covered the gap where her three front teeth used to be. Tears of humiliation pricked her eyes. She took a deep, shaky breath, put the car in drive, and headed inside the mansion.The moment she stepped through the grand front doors, Georgia and several other family members who had been loitering around the living room immediately swarmed her."Elena! Oh my god, what happened to your face?!" Georgia cried out in horror, her hands flying to her mouth. "We have been waiting for you since this morning! Who did this to you?!"Georgia reached out, trying to gently touch her daughter's bruised cheek, but Elena flinched back violently. "Ouch! Don't touch it, Mom!"Elena quickly swallowed her pride,