Adrian Cole climbed the stairs slowly, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. When he reached the small room at the end…which was barely larger than a closet, with a narrow bed and a single window…he sat down on the edge of the thin mattress.He pulled out his phone again. His fingers moved quickly across the screen, pulling up his contact list.“Marcus , it’s me,” he said when the call connected. “You’ve all done a great job—everyone’s year-end bonus will be doubled. As for the officials who helped process the IPO… make sure they’re taken care of. Give them generous bonuses, gifts, whatever’s appropriate. Don’t let anyone think we’re ungrateful.”“Of course, sir. I’ll handle it personally.”“And one more thing.” Adrian Cole paused, staring at the wall. “I want you to start the transfer paperwork for SunCore Publishing. Put everything under Victoria’s name. All of it.”Marcus hesitated. “SunCore? Sir, are you for real? That was the very first company you built with your own hands

The phone rang as Adrian Cole stepped out of the mansion gates for what he knew might be the last time.“Sir.” Marcus ’s voice was controlled, and professional as always. “The SunCore Publishing transfer is nearly complete. Once Mrs.Cole rings the bell tomorrow, everything will be finalized. I can have the documents couriered to you by tomorrow evening…it will be a perfect celebration gift.”Adrian Cole stopped walking. The morning sun felt too bright,and too indifferent to the wreckage of his life.“That won’t be necessary,” he said quietly.“Sir?”“Victoria asked for a divorce this morning. In three days, I’ll move everything I own.” He paused, staring at the perfectly manicured hedges lining the driveway. “Handle the share transfer yourself. Do whatever you think is appropriate. Right now, I just need… some time alone.”There was a beat of silence.“Understood, sir.” Marcus ’s voice carried barely concealed relief. “If I may say so… I’m glad you’re finally free of that burden.”Adr

Adrian Cole frowned, studying her more intently now.Something didn’t add up. Even though she was clearly exhausted, she still carried herself with an elegance that came from wealth. Her posture was too refined, her mannerisms too polished. This wasn’t someone who’d been living rough for long.“Forgive me,” he said quietly, “but you don’t seem like someone without a home.”She looked up at him, something bitter flickering across her face. A soft, humorless laugh escaped her lips.“You are perceptive.” She drew a shaky breath. “I wasn’t always like this. My name is Sophia Laurent and three months ago, I was the CEO of Stellar Dynamics. We were preparing for our IPO. Everything was ready…the investors were committed, and the underwriters were in place, the roadshow went perfectly.”Her voice went hollow. “And then overnight, our application was rejected. There was no explanation as to why that happened.”Adrian Cole went very still.“The investors panicked and pulled out,” she continue

Adrian sat in the driver’s seat, his hands resting on the steering wheel, staring at the road ahead with eyes that had gone cold.He’d tried to walk away quietly. Tried to end things with dignity, without dragging Victoria or her family through the humiliation they’d earned. But Mrs. Stone had crossed a line he couldn’t ignore.Confronting him was one thing. He could tolerate that. He’d tolerated worse from that family for years.But dragging innocent strangers into it? Maliciously speculating about their relationship and hurling filthy words? That, he absolutely could not stand.No.Sophia stood near the hotel entrance, shifting uncertainly from foot to foot. Adrian had told her to wait, but he hadn’t explained why. She looked toward the street, wondering if she should just go back up to the penthouse and process everything that had happened today.Before she could decide, Adrian’s car pulled up to the curb.He stepped out and gestured toward the passenger door. “Get in.” ------Th

Victoria grabbed Vincent’s arm, her face a mask of confusion and rising panic. “Suspended? What does he mean suspended?”Brennan pulled out his phone and held it up for the crowd to see. “As of 6:47 PM this evening, the regulatory commission received credible evidence of financial irregularities in the approval process for Cole Industries’ IPO. The listing has been suspended pending a full investigation.”Victoria’s voice came out as a strangled whisper. “That’s impossible. Vincent, tell them…”The words sent shockwaves through the hall. Guests whispered among themselves, their eyes darting between Sophia and Victoria.Victoria’s face had gone from pale to red to ashen. “There must be some mistake,” she said, her voice rising with panic. “That’s not what yesterday’s press conference said! I haven’t received any notice about my company’s listing being terminated!”Her phone buzzed in her hand.She looked down at the screen, and whatever color remained in her face drained completely. He