"I am."The secretary studied Victoria's calm expression for a moment before continuing. "The guests attending won't be ordinary businessmen. There will be media, influential investors, and people who won't hesitate to question your relationship…. They'll do everything to target you."Victoria's expression remained unchanged. "I know.""Then are you prepared for the rumors?"A faint smile appeared on Victoria's lips. "They're welcome to speculate. I don't concern myself with gossip because I've already made my decision." She paused briefly before continuing in the same calm tone. "Since my family refuses to listen to me, this is the perfect opportunity to introduce Brandon to the world. Once everyone knows he's the man I've chosen, I doubt anyone in my family will dare oppose our relationship again.”The certainty in her voice left no room for further debate. Even after working beside Victoria for years, the secretary still found it remarkable how firmly she stood by every decision sh

"Whether it was intentional or not, only Brandon knows the answer to that, Lyra," Jake replied quietly, maintaining the same concerned expression as before.Silence settled over the room. Lyra lowered her gaze, unable to find a single word to say.Jake leaned forward slightly, his voice remaining calm and patient."Why don't you think about it for yourself, Lyra? Every time Maggie fell sick, who was the one staying by her bedside?"“Brandon.” Jake watched the uncertainty grow in her eyes before speaking again. His tone remained calm, almost gentle, as if he were helping her understand something she had overlooked."Lyra, do you remember who made every kind of medical decision whenever Maggie needed treatmen?" Memories took a rewind in her mind before words came out of fear, her voice barely audible. "Brandon did."Jake gave a slow nod before asking his next question. "And who was the one who knew every detail about Maggie's condition? Who spoke with the doctors, read every report, a

"It is connected," Jake stated calmly, making himself sound genuine and serious. "Miss Victoria made one thing very clear. She doesn't want anything connected to Brandon interfering with her business."Lyra frowned, unable to understand his point. "So?"Jake released a weary sigh before continuing. "I tried everything I could to convince her otherwise, but she wouldn't budge. The only thing making her hesitate is the fact that you're still Brandon's legal wife."Lyra fell silent for a moment before answering quietly. "If that's the case, then there's nothing we can do. We can't force her to change her mind."Jake slowly shook his head. "I know, but I couldn't just give up. Too much is at stake for both of us. So... I told her that there was nothing left between you and Brandon and that the two of you would be divorcing soon."Lyra's eyes widened in disbelief. "You told her that?"A guilty expression crossed Jake's face, carefully crafted to appear sincere. He drew a slow breath before

"Dad, did something really good happen today?"Leo's curious voice lingered in Jake's mind even after the call had ended.A satisfied laugh escaped his lips as he slipped his phone back into his pocket."You'll find out soon enough, champ," he murmured to himself. "When all of this is over, you'll finally understand why today changes everything."His car rolled smoothly through the city before slowing in front of a huge glass building that dominated the business district.The massive silver letters mounted above the entrance reflected beneath the afternoon sun.ASHFORD GROUP.Jake tilted his head back, taking in the sight of the seventy-story headquarters.Even after working alongside Lyra for years, he had only entered this building a handful of times during public conferences, but today it felt different.Today, he wasn't arriving as Lyra's insignificant assistant, hoping for an opportunity.He was arriving as the man who had completed a task entrusted to him by Victoria Ashford her

The elevator doors closed behind Jake and his footsteps gradually faded until silence settled across the executive floor once again.Victoria's secretary remained standing beside the conference room window, watching his car disappear through the front gates of the Ashford Group headquarters.Only after he had driven away did she turn around.She walked into Victoria's office carrying the leather folder in one hand."He has left, Madam."Victoria didn't respond immediately. She finished signing the last page of a contract before placing her pen neatly on the desk."The papers."Without another word, the secretary placed the folder before her.Victoria opened it and calmly reviewed every page. Her attention lingered only long enough to confirm Lyra's signature before she closed the file again."So..." the secretary began carefully, "everything went according to plan.""It did.” Her secretary hesitated for a brief moment. “Just as you said, I've already informed the finance department to