Two days later, the news broke.Elsa Hale is selling her shares.The rumor spread through social media, business circles, entertainment blogs, and private group chats faster than anyone expected.Questions immediately followed."Why is she selling her shares?""Is she leaving the Hale family?""Is she broke?""Are the Hales treating her badly?""Is this a trap?"Everyone had a theory.Everyone had an opinion.But the person at the center of the storm remained silent.Elsa didn't address any of it.She simply continued living her life.---ELI'S HOME"So many speculations and you're still not going to address any of them?" Iris asked, scrolling through her phone.Elsa sat opposite her on the sofa while Jada occupied the seat beside her. The three women were reading comments, articles, and endless online discussions."Wh

As the weeks passed, Elsa finally entered her due month.At this stage of her pregnancy, even simple tasks felt exhausting. Between doctor's appointments, preparing for the baby, managing the restaurant, and constantly dealing with potential buyers, she was beginning to lose patience with the entire share-selling situation.Eventually, she decided enough was enough.Rather than continue meeting buyers personally, she handed most of the responsibility over to Jada and instructed her to help screen anyone interested.Meanwhile, pressure was mounting on Julian's side.His backers were becoming impatient.Months had passed, yet he had failed to deal any meaningful damage to the Hale family. Worse, every route he attempted seemed to lead nowhere.The shares remained his best opportunity.If he could acquire Elsa's twenty percent stake, he would finally gain a foothold close enough to begin executing larger plans.The problem was that every indirect approach had failed.The agents he sent f

The next day, the Circle members had a scheduled breakfast gathering.Although Elsa had been involved in an accident the previous day, she still showed up.This time, they did not sit inside one of the restaurant's private booths. Instead, they occupied a round table in the main dining area like ordinary customers, eating breakfast while chatting casually.The women were relieved to see her.Many of them sympathized with what had happened and praised her courage for coming out despite knowing that someone might have deliberately targeted her.After breakfast, the members gradually left one after another until only Elsa, Jada, and Rhea remained behind."Aren't you going yet, Rhea?" Elsa asked.Rhea hesitated.She looked uncomfortable, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't bring herself to do it. Her pride was clearly fighting against her.Seeing her struggle, Elsa and Jada simply ignored her and continued sipping their drinks."Elsa..." Rhea finally began.Both women turned to

The sun was dipping low, casting long, orange shadows across the driveway as Jada dropped Elsa off and pulled away. Elsa walked toward the front door, but before her hand could even touch the knob, the door swung open.Eli stood there, his face tight with worry."Where have you been?" he demanded.Elsa blinked, surprised by his intensity. "At the restaurant, Eli. You knew that.""That was this morning," he snapped, his voice rising. "It’s evening now. Don’t you know it’s not safe for you to be out this late alone?"Elsa narrowed her eyes. "Why are you suddenly acting like the concerned older brother?"She brushed past him into the living room, but he followed, gesturing frantically toward the couch, his eyes wide as if trying to send a silent message. She didn't understand."What is wrong with you?" she asked, turning to face him. "Since when do you care where I am?""I am your brother, and you are under my roof," Eli said, pacing nervously. "People will talk if they think I’m not lo

The following week passed surprisingly peacefully.Back at the Hale Mansion, Elsa gradually settled into her old routine, though this time it felt different. The distance between her and Levi had disappeared. He no longer kept his feelings locked behind a cold expression, and although he was still a man of few words, his actions had become gentler, warmer, and far more considerate.Meanwhile...Bianca was growing increasingly anxious.Ever since she left the restaurant believing Elsa would eventually sell her the shares, she had confidently assured Julian that everything was under control.She waited.One day passed.Then another.Finally, unable to wait any longer, she called Elsa.The call rang.No answer.She tried again.Still nothing.The following day, she called repeatedly.Again...Nothing.Every unanswered call made the uneasiness i