Shock rippled across Victor and Felicity's faces. They stared in utter disbelief as Gregory Hale, one of the most powerful Vice Presidents of the Eclipse Consortium, bowed deeply before Leonard and apologized with such respect.How was this possible? That worthless orphan was being honored? The pathetic man they had left for dead just days ago?"No… This can't be happening," Felicity whispered, her voice trembling with denial. She refused to accept what her eyes were showing her."Mr. Hale," Victor stepped forward boldly, his tone laced with skepticism. "You must be mistaken. Leonard is nothing but a pathetic construction worker. There's no way he could possess a genuine highest-level black card. This doesn't make any sense!"The surrounding guests remained silent, but their expressions clearly echoed the same doubt. Many believed the Vice President had either confused the man or misidentified the card.Gregory's face darkened instantly. He turned his icy gaze toward the arrogant coup

Sophia's eyes carried no doubt. They flashed with unflinching courage. "No thanks, Victor. I will choose integrity over your desperate bribes. But more importantly, I won't stand by while you humiliate an innocent man." Victor's face flushed red with such public humiliation. Sophia rejected him yet again! Fury twisted his features as he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a venomous hiss. "You'll regret this. Without a major partner like the Langfords, your precious company is already dead. I'll destroy you." "How dare—" Just then, Leonard's calm voice cut Sophia off. "I already said that the Eclipse Consortium will not cooperate with Langford Enterprises. If any company is about to collapse, it certainly won't be the Harrington Group." There was a beat of stunned silence, after which Victor exploded into mocking laughter. The entire hall followed him, their voices thick with ridicule. "There he goes again! Talking like he's the Chairman himself!" "Who does this pauper think

Valery's face turned to ice. "What did you just say?" She pinned Felicity with a glare so cold it could freeze blood. The fiery CEO was on the verge of exposing everything. Valery desperately wanted to stick to these toxic nobodies. She wanted to reveal that Leonard was the new Chairman, elevated beyond their wildest imagination. Alternatively, she wished to put bullets in their heads. However, from the corner of her eye, she caught her master's subtle head shake. The words died in her throat, and she swallowed her fury. Victor seized Felicity's arm, his voice urgent. "Are you out of your mind, crazy woman! Apologize to Miss Frost right now. Do you even realize who she is?" "Why should I?" Felicity snapped, already losing her senses. "I did nothing wrong! Why are you acting against me, too?" Victor's face darkened, and he felt like slapping his fiancée silly. She was endangering his chances at securing a deal with the Eclipse Consortium by offending Valery. If the CEO wished, sh

Several minutes later, the Chairman's office door creaked open. Simon stepped out, looking like he had aged ten years. His face was ghostly pale, his eyes red and swollen, and his shoulders slumped like an old man. A hollow, lifeless stare had replaced the arrogant spark of superiority in his gaze. The truth had shattered him. The pauper he had mocked and ordered to be beaten was the new Chairman. Meanwhile, Simon had strutted around like a king, insulting the one man who could end his career with a single word. How laughable. With his head down, the SVP shuffled back towards the main hall. Victor and Felicity had been pacing anxiously. They were desperate to hear how Leonard had been punished and whether the partnership deal had been approved. The moment Simon reappeared, their faces lit up. They rushed over and, in their excitement, failed to notice his defeated expression. "Mr. Mercer!" Felicity began buttering him up. "We are glad you're being treated like royalty. That the C

"You slithery bitch!" the guards roared, rushing after Felicity. "Get back here! "CEO Valery Frost! I need to talk to you!" she shouted, running faster so as not to get caught before reaching her target. At the podium, Valery furrowed her brows in irritation. What could this deranged woman possibly want now? She had no intention of acknowledging her or giving her a second of attention. Back in the Chairman's office, Valery had told Leonard that the Gambino group could easily make both Victor and Felicity disappear from the world without a trace. The Gambino heir had ordered her to leave the couple untouched. If not for his mercy, Valery would have ended this ungrateful witch already. The guards finally caught up, seizing Felicity by the arms and yanking her back. "Miss Frost, please!" she cried out, frantically struggling. "I just need a minute!" Valery kept her eyes fixed elsewhere, as if this desperately crying woman were invisible. Simon Mercer stepped forward to chastise her