Mia’s eyes widened in shock when she saw Janet, she was bewildered because earlier David and Mia had been blocked at the entrance. She never thought they would be let inside by the security guards after the instruction given to them by Ms. Rose.
“How are you even in here?” Mia asked before she could stop herself,
Harrison glanced at the pair, equally curious, though a flicker of irritation crossed his face. he already suspected how they had slipped back in,
Janet’s lips curved into a smug smile. She lifted her chin proudly, savoring the moment. “We were able to enter with the help of Mr. Neil. He’s a senior manager at Diamond Global with much higher authority than that little Ms. Rose.” Her tone dripped with superiority as she looked down on them.
Harrison let out a quiet sigh, he hadn’t expected them to call Neil so quickly. While he could easily intervene and have them thrown out again, he decided to let them stay for now. Their arrogance would make their fall far more satisfying.
Janet pressed on, her voice loud enough for nearby guests to hear. “The contract tonight will definitely be mine. There’s no question about it.”
Mr. Neil had merely seen a glimpse of the list and assumed Janet’s company would be included. In reality he had no authority whatsoever to interfere with which company Diamond Global partnered with.
Harrison narrowed his eyes. “How can you be so sure the contract today will go to you?” Harrison questioned, looking at the proud Janet, seeing her speak this way made him irritated.
Janet smirked, running her fingers flirtatiously along David’s arm. “Thanks to David, we got insider information ahead of time,” David smiled arrogantly, playing the part of the powerful heir perfectly.
“I have connections, remember?” David added smoothly, shooting Harrison a mocking look.
Harrison nearly scoffed aloud at the audacity. This fake was truly committed to impersonating the Hayes family heir.
“The contract hasn’t been signed yet,” Harrison replied calmly. “It’s still possible Diamond Global will change its mind and choose to partner with Mia Edward instead.” He had already instructed Ms. Rose to deliver Mia’s proposal directly to Ms. Greta. He trusted their judgment.
Janet’s finger curled into tight fist at her sides. Anger coursed through her vein like fire. The way Harrison kept defending Mia made her blood boil. “How is that even possible?” She snapped, her voice rising. She sized Mia up with open contempt. “That near-bankrupt little company of hers?”
Janet snatched a glass of red wine from a passing waiter, twirling it elegantly before taking a slow sip. Her eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction as she continued her attack.
“The Edward family is already embarrassed by Torres Enterprise. Every reputable company in high society has pulled their investments. There’s no hope left for you here.” She sneered, looking Mia up and down. “How could your failing company possibly compare to mine? I bring in fifty million a year.”
David nodded vigorously in agreement. “Janet was even selected as one of the city’s top ten outstanding entrepreneurs. Her business talent is recognized by everyone.”
Harrison’s eyes darkened with disdain. Janet had only received so many opportunity solely because of his hidden support over the years. Yet here she was proudly claiming every success as her own.
Mia lowered her gaze, her shoulder slumping under the weight of their words. Deep down she knew they were right. Edward Group was thriving while Torres Enterprise was on the brink of collapse. Shame twisted in her chest.
Janet wasn’t finished. She leaned in, her smile vicious. “Just go home already, Mia. Why do you want to humiliate yourself further, or are you hoping to stay and congratulate me when my company wins the contract?”
Mia’s heart clenched painfully. The memory of Jacob Bryan’s hand on her flashed through her mind, his weight pressing her down, the terror of being helpless. Her nails dug into her palms until they drew blood. I can’t go back there… I can’t.
Before she could respond, the host’s voice interrupted them, drawing everyone’s attention. “The banquet is now officially beginning,” the host announced warmly. “Two major events will take place tonight. First, we will reveal the three companies that will enter into deep cooperation with Diamond Global in the future. Second… our mysterious boss will finally appear and deliver a speech.”
The hall erupted in excited murmurs. Janet’s face lit up with eager confidence.“We must see the boss tonight. Once I secure this contract, I will build an even stronger relationship with Diamond Global.”
David smirked. “The real boss will surely see through Harrison’s pathetic disguise, and have him thrown out.”
Janet laughed loudly, the sound full of malice. “Tonight is going to be very interesting.” She shot Mia a triumphant glance, already imagining their humiliation.
The host continued. “The first partner company is J&P global. The second is Kotex Enterprise…”
Janet beamed with pride. She turned to Mia with mocking glee. “See? Two companies have already been announced. Your little company isn’t even on the list. Where is Torres Enterprise? Hidden in the cracks of wall?”
Mia’s heart raced violently in her chest. All color drained from her face as panic coursed through her. Heat rushed to her cheeks. This can’t be happening. The terrifying thought of being dragged back to Jacob Bryan’s mansion made her stomach churn with dread.
She could still feel his breath on her skin, his hands tearing at her clothes. Her fist clenched tighter, nails dug deeper into her palms as she prayed desperately for a miracle.
She had assured her stepmother that she would get the contract, and she knew her step mother wasn’t bluffing when she told her she was going to drag her back to Mr. Bryan’s house.
Harrison noticed Mia’s distress immediately. His arms tightened tenderly around her, pulling her back to reality. He shot a cold look at Janet. “Listen to the hostess finish the announcement before you boast. Are you sure the last company will be yours?”
He turned to Mia and his tone softened with quiet reassurance. “Trust the process. Don’t let her get under your skin.” Mia nodded shakily and focused on the stage, her breath held tight.
“…And our third and final partner... is the Edward Group.”
Janet grinned from ear to ear, pure joy lighting up her face. She threw her arms around David in celebration, then spun toward Mia with vicious delight. “Listen carefully, is that my company or not?” She boasted loudly. “Where is your company, Mia? Oh, that’s right…it’s hidden somewhere in the cracks of the wall!”
The color completely drained out of Mia’s face. Harrison’s brows snapped together in anger. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number, his expression darkening with resolve.
Latest Chapter
Chapter 15
Harrison looked slightly embarrassed, he could see the nervousness in Mia’s eyes as she nodded in agreement.“He can stay the night.” She said and her stepmother’s eyes lit up, Harrison searched Mia’s eyes, surprised she agreed.“Come with me.” She said, gesturing him as she led the way.Harrison followed Mia down the hallway toward her bedroom. The apartment was modest, with faded wallpaper, he glanced back to see her stepmother grinning from ear to ear, he shrugged softly and turned the corner with Mia.When Mia pushed open the door to her room, she hesitated for a moment, her fingers tightening around the doorknob.This was the first time she had ever brought a man into her personal space. She squeezed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm her mind before inviting him in.Harrison glanced around. There was a neat single bed with a simple quilt, a wooden desk stacked with company documents, and a modest wardrobe.Mia’s cheeks were already crimson as she stepped inside, avoiding Ha
Chapter 14
As Mr. Ben left the apartment, Mia’s stepmother quickly broke the silence, turning to Harrison. “Harrison… right?” her lips curled into a bright, flattering smile. “You are truly capable!” she exclaimed, her attitude undergo a dramatic transformation, her voice filled with admiration.“To think you could make President Greta fire someone so easily with just one phone call… I must admit, I completely misunderstood you earlier, please don’t take our rude words to heart.”Mia’s father let out a cold snort, crossing his arms over his chest, but he wisely chose to say nothing more. The shift of power was obvious, and he wasn’t foolish enough to challenge it.Mrs. Torres looked at Mia whose gaze remained on Harrison, her cheek was flushed, and her eyes in awe of the man standing beside her.Mrs. Torres let out an awkward laugh. “Young people these days… we were only thinking about the company’s best interests.” She added and Mia finally looked at her.Her stomach twisted in disgust to see h
Chapter 13
Ms. Greta’s authoritative voice came through the speaker. “Do I know you well?” She sounded so furious at the other end of the line. “Who gave you the audacity to use my name to trick people, Mr. Ben?!”Mr. Ben’s arrogant smirk froze on his face, his face paled, and he looked stunned, glancing between Mr. and Mrs. Torres whose eyes dilated in surprise and confusion, they expected him to be yelling at Harrison and not Mr. Ben.Mr. Ben then forced out a nervous laugh even as sweat beads began forming on his forehead. “President Greta, you must have misheard.” He tried to clarify her. “I was just exposing this liar who claimed to know you—“Ms. Greta didn’t let him finish before speaking in a stern voice again. “Liar?” She scoffed. “The only liar here is you!” she snapped.Mia’s father and stepmother immediately unaware that Ms. Greta was scolding Mr. Ben joined in the mockery, their voices were loud and vicious enough for Ms. Greta to hear at the other end of the line.“Hah! See, Mia? T
Chapter 12
Mrs. Torres stared at Mia in disbelief. “What did you just say?” She asked, glancing from Harrison who Mia had just said helped her get the contract from Diamond Global.Before Mia could repeat herself, everyone in the living room burst out laughing. Her stepmother held her stomach, laughing so hard tears formed in her eyes.“Diamond Global? Torres Enterprise secured a contract with them?” She chuckled. “Mia, have you completely lost your mind?” It was ridiculous to even believe that their company would stand a chance to partner with Diamond Global when their company was near bankruptcy.Her father, Mr. Torres shook his head with open contempt, looking at Harrison like he was something stuck to the bottom of his shoe. “This is ridiculous. You really brought a con artist home to lie to us?”The thought of his daughter falling in love with a liar angered him, and she was making it worst by defending Harrison.Even Mr. Ben, let out a loud, arrogant laugh, “little girl, you should at leas
Chapter 11
Mia stared at her phone feeling exhausted and helpless. Harrison glanced back at her through the rearview mirror. “Is everything okay?” He asked.She forced a smile. “Yes… just family matters.”Harrison parked his e-bike when they arrived at Mia’s residential building. He decided to walk her toward the building and stopped downstairs.“This is me.” Mia said softly and Harrison glanced toward the corridor and nodded.He studied her face for a while, he wanted to ask if she was okay after the call, but since she was not telling him, he decided not to press her for answers.“Alright, goodnight,” he told her.Mia hesitated, biting her lower lips, she glanced at the corridor before turning to him again.“Harrison… can you do me a favor?” she asked softly, he raised a brow, curiously. “Can you pretend to be my boyfriend tonight?” Just for a little while, I don’t want my family to keep treating me like a bargaining chip, introducing me to random men for the sake of the company.”She lowered
Chapter 10
Jacob’s face twisted with rage, his eyes burned with obsession the moment they locked onto Mia. “What reckless fool dares to meddle in my business?” Jacob roared, spinning around.The moment he saw Harrison standing protectively in front of Mia, his expression froze in pure shock. The terrifying memory of the previous day resurfaced. The excruciating pain, the helplessness, and the cold warning Harrison had given him that day.Jacob stepped back, his body trembled, his gaze fell on his bandaged hand and his lips quivered.One of the bodyguard sneered arrogantly, stepping forward with a cocky grin. “Are you fucking blind?” The bodyguard who didn’t know what had happened the previous day continued. “Our young master is the heir of one of the top ten prestigious families in this city. Who the hell do you think you are, talking to him like that?”Another bodyguard laughed mockingly, eyeing Harrison’s simple clothes with contempt. “With those rags you’re wearing, you’re not even worthy of
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