Richard Paige: They Chose the Wrong Enemy

009: Woman Who Chose Her Dreams

Applause filled the Grand Technology Summit. Hundreds of business leaders sat inside the decorated hall.

Bright lights shone across the stage, and large screens displayed the words:

[The Future Of Technology]

At the center of the stage stood a young woman in a navy-blue suit.

Elena Vance, founder of NovaCore Technologies, one of New York's youngest technology geniuses.

The host smiled.

"Miss Elena, congratulations on your company's remarkable achievements."

The audience applauded before Elena could respond; a voice interrupted.

"I believe she still has one important decision to make."

Everyone turned.

A middle-aged man walked confidently toward the stage, beside him followed by several executives.

Elena's smile disappeared.

Her uncle

The audience exchanged curious glances. The middle-aged man accepted a microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen… Our family has decided that NovaCore Technologies will merge with Titan Digital Solutions."

Soft applause echoed through the hall.

Elena immediately spoke. "No!"

The hall gasped in confusion, and her uncle's smile became forced.

"You haven't even heard of the proposal."

"I don't need to. My answer is still no."

His face darkened. "This isn't only your decision. It concerns the entire family."

Elena looked directly into his eyes. "I built NovaCore. I'll decide its future."

The uncle leaned closer, and his voice became colder. "If you refuse… you'll lose everything."

The room became so quiet that even the cameras stopped clicking.

Elena lifted her chin. "I'd rather lose everything than surrender my dream."

A ripple spread through the audience. No one expected such a bold answer.

Her uncle laughed mockingly.

"You don't understand your position. Our family controls the loans that keep your company alive. Without us… NovaCore collapses."

Several investors lowered their heads. The situation looked hopeless.

Just then, the host placed a hand against his earpiece.

His eyes widened.

"Ladies and gentlemen..." He smiled nervously. "We've just received confirmation: our keynote guest has arrived."

Everyone looked toward the entrance. The massive doors slowly opened.

A tall man in a charcoal suit stepped inside.

Morgan Vance.

The entire hall rose to its feet as applause roared through the building.

Reporters rushed forward.

"Chairman Vance! You're welcome. One photograph, please!"

Morgan acknowledged them with a settled wink before walking calmly onto the stage.

The host smiled brightly.

"Chairman Morgan, thank you for honoring us."

"Glad to be here."

Morgan looked toward Elena, then toward her uncle. He had clearly understood the situation, as an insider had texted him moments ago.

The uncle forced a polite smile.

"Chairman Vance. What a surprise."

Morgan returned the greeting.

"Good afternoon." His voice remained unpredictable.

The uncle chuckled. "We're simply concluding a family business matter."

Morgan nodded once. "I see." He turned toward Elena. "Miss Elena."

"May I ask one question?"

She looked slightly surprised and leaned further. "Of course."

Morgan looked at her uncle.

"Who currently owns the loans financing NovaCore Technologies?"

The uncle smiled proudly.

"Our family."

Morgan quietly reached into his briefcase. He removed a thin blue folder, without the slightest hurry… He placed it on the table.

"I'm afraid that information is no longer correct."

The uncle’s eyes twisted. "What do you mean?"

Elena raised an eyebrow in confusion while Morgan gently pushed the folder toward her uncle.

"The loans were legally transferred yesterday."

The uncle laughed. "Impossible."

He opened the folder. Instantly, his smile disappeared. He turned another page, then another.

His hands began to tremble; the transfer documents were genuine, every signature had been verified, with official approved stamps.

The final page showed one unmistakable name.

Vance Global Holdings.

The audience gasped; Elena’s mouth stood agape in disbelief while her uncle looked up slowly.

"You..."

Morgan calmly nodded with intent. "As of yesterday morning. Vance Global became the majority creditor."

Silence overwhelmed the hall.

Morgan adjusted his cufflinks.

"As the legal majority creditor. I reject any attempt to force NovaCore into a merger."

He looked toward Elena.

"Your company remains independent, and your intellectual property is fully protected."

The uncle slammed the folder shut.

"You planned this!"

Morgan met his furious stare without raising his voice, but wearing a condescending smirk.

"No. I simply prepared before arriving."

Security officers stepped forward; one spoke respectfully.

"Sir. The summit organizers have requested that you and your associates leave the premises."

The uncle looked around desperately. Not one investor came to his defense or attempted to stand beside him.

His face was consumed with shame as he stormed toward the exit with his group following behind.

As the doors closed behind them, the audience buzzed into applause.

Elena stood motionless, unable to mutter a word, while staring at Morgan.

Moments ago...

She believed she was about to lose everything. But now, her company was safe.

Morgan offered a polite nod.

"No one should lose years of honest work to greed."

Before Elena could thank him, a reporter hurried respectfully with a microphone.

"Chairman Vance! Why did you help Miss Elena today?"

The cameras focused on Morgan, and the hall became silent once more.

Morgan smiled faintly.

"Because talent deserves opportunity."

His words left every single one in awe. Across the hall, Elena looked at Morgan with quiet admiration.

Not only because he had rescued her, but because he had protected her dignity.

She mouthed with a heartwarming smile. “Thank you dearly.”

Simultaneously, Daniel Thornton lowered his phone after watching the breaking news alert on the drama that transpired during the Grand Technology Summit.

His face turned pale as he whispered,

"Chairman Morgan… what are you becoming?”

A few minutes later, the summit slowly came to an end. Reporters crowded around Morgan.

"Chairman Vance! Will Vance Global enter the technology industry?"

"Are you planning another acquisition?"

Morgan smiled politely. "Vance Global invests in people. We don't just own companies, we build them."

His answer was on every reporter's notepad within seconds.

Meanwhile, Elena stood quietly backstage and looked at the blue folder still resting in her hands.

A few minutes later, Morgan's assistant approached her.

"Miss Elena. The Chairman will see you now."

She nodded.

Inside a private conference room. Morgan turned as Elena entered.

"Please. Have a seat."

She remained standing for a moment.

"I owe you my company."

Morgan gently shook his head. "No. You saved your company. You refused to surrender before I ever arrived."

Elena was silent.

Then she smiled faintly. "No one's ever said that to me."

Morgan sat opposite her.

"People often mistake courage for victory. The truth is, courage comes first, then victory follows."

Elena lowered her eyes.

"My uncle won't stop."

"I'm aware of that. He'll look for another way." Morgan's expression remained calm. "So will we."

For the first time since her uncle walked in, Elena laughed softly.

"So… Was today planned?"

Morgan's lips curved into the slightest smile. "I prefer using the word… “Preparation."

Elena couldn't help smiling more. She finally understood why so many people respected Chairman Morgan.

It wasn't simply because he was powerful. It was more because of his philosophy of life.

***

Across the city, Daniel was still holding his tablet.

"The entire summit is on every news channel!"

The shareholders quickly gathered around.

The screen showed Morgan's interview replaying. One of them finally spoke with a heavy sigh.

"He rescued NovaCore."

Another rubbed his forehead.

"And now every technology company will want to work with him."

A younger shareholder muttered, "Every week… Chairman Morgan grows stronger."

Daniel slammed his foot against the floor.

"There has to be a weakness. There has to be!"

Everyone’s mouth stayed shut because no one had found one yet.

Later that evening, Victoria sat alone in her office. She replayed Morgan's interview over twenty times within thirty minutes

This time, she wasn't just listening to his words. Her eyes were centered on Morgan's movements.

When a reporter thanked him, Morgan gave a small nod before answering.

Victoria's heart skipped as she mused

‘Richard?... always nodded exactly like that before speaking.’

She quickly closed the video and mumbled. "No. I'm reading too much into this."

She stood and walked to the window; behind her calm expression, an iota of doubt began to grow.

***

That night at the Godfather's estate was peaceful.

"You've gained another powerful connection."

Morgan smiled. "I didn't gain a connection. I earned someone's trust."

The old man beamed. "And trust is worth more than influence."

Morgan nodded.

"It lasts longer."

The Godfather looked at him and patted his shoulder in admiration. "They still think they're playing against a businessman."

Morgan's eyes met his godfather’s

"They haven't realized they're playing against a strategist."

Morgan's phone vibrated and interrupted the ongoing conversation.

His chief investigator spoke quietly.

"Chairman. We've finished tracing Sterling Group's old financial records."

Morgan's expression sharpened.

"And?"

The investigator answered, "We've uncovered transactions that were hidden for years. There are names on this list that no one expected."

Morgan slowly closed his eyes in delight.

"So the corruption wasn't started by one person. Have the findings secured. We'll need it when it's time.”