
The CEO’s Wife Who Chose Herself
Synopsis –CEO’s wife who chose Herself
Elaine Flores married into power — but never into love.
Bound by a family arrangement, she became the wife of billionaire heir Aron Salazar, a man who believed he was trapped in a marriage he didn’t choose. For five years, Elaine tried to be enough — quiet, patient, understanding. Pero sa likod ng lahat ng iyon, unti-unti siyang nauubos.
When Aron finally admits he cannot love her the way she deserves, Elaine does the unexpected.
She walks away.
Walang drama. Walang paghihiganti. Just one suitcase and her dignity.
Alone in Singapore, she rebuilds her life in the ruthless world of high finance. What begins as survival turns into transformation. Through discipline, brilliance, and quiet strength, Elaine rises from an overlooked strategist to a respected global risk architect. Ang babaeng minamaliit noon ay ngayon, siya na ang hinahangaan.
But power has a way of crossing paths again.
When business forces Aron back into her world, he no longer finds the soft-spoken wife he left behind. He meets a woman who negotiates without fear, commands respect effortlessly, and no longer needs his validation.
Now equals in the global arena, they are forced to confront the past — and the truth:
Hindi niya lang iniwan ang isang asawa.
He lost a woman who chose herself.
The CEO’s wife who chose Herself is a story of growth, redemption, and a love rebuilt not by obligation — but by choice.
Baca
Chapter: Final Chapter- Not a WarChapter 15 Zurich – Late Afternoon The regulatory review ended without penalties. No sanctions. No violations. No formal charges. Just… observation notes. Elaine read the final report twice. Then once more. Her expression didn’t change. “Too clean,” she murmured softly. Hindi ito pagkatalo. Pero hindi rin ito simpleng audit lang. Across the table, Mr. Lim adjusted his glasses. “They never intended to collapse Virex,” he said carefully. Silence settled in the room. Elaine’s fingers rested lightly on the document. “Then what was the objective?” Mr. Lim slid one last confidential page toward her. No logo. No signature. Just one line. ‘Leadership Response Assessment: Passed.’ Her eyes stilled. For the first time since the review began — she leaned back slowly. “So,” she whispered, “this was never a war.” Mr. Lim nodded. “It was an evaluation.” ⸻ That Night – Penthouse Snow fell gently outside, coating Zurich in quiet white.
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-28
Chapter: LegacyChapter 14Zurich – One Year After Her BirthThe penthouse was quieter now.Not empty.Different.Hindi na ito yung tahimik na may lungkot.Ito yung tahimik na may buhay. May lalim. May dahilan.There were soft toys on the corner sofa. A small knitted blanket folded neatly on the armrest. And on the glass coffee table — a stack of financial reports beside a baby monitor blinking in soft green light.Elaine sat at the dining table, laptop open, reviewing a cross-border liquidity proposal while gently rocking the cradle with her foot.Her daughter slept peacefully.Small breaths. Soft sounds.Mahinahon. Walang kaalam-alam sa bigat ng mundong ginagalawan ng mga magulang niya.For a moment, Elaine stopped typing.She just watched her.Her chest softened in a way boardrooms never allowed.“Minsan,” she whispered softly, almost to herself,“ang tahimik ng lakas.”Not loud.Not demanding.Hindi kailangang patunayan ang sarili.Just present.Just steady.Behind her, Aron stood near the window
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-27
Chapter: AlignedChapter 13 Zurich – Six Months Later Their second wedding was private. No political alliances. No business strategy. No grandparents arranging anything. Just choice. Elaine wore a clean ivory suit instead of a gown. “No cages this time,” she told Aron softly before walking down the aisle. He smiled. “No cages.” They signed papers not as obligation— But as two CEOs of their own lives. ⸻ Chapter 14 The Rival Two Years Into Marriage Elaine was now Global Risk Chair at Virex. Aron had expanded Salazar Group into European renewable infrastructure. They didn’t merge companies. They collaborated strategically. Equal. Then came the threat. A new conglomerate: Kessler & Vale Holdings Aggressive. Silent. Acquiring smaller firms across Asia and Europe. One morning, Elaine received a confidential report. “They’re targeting Southeast Asia liquidity channels,” her analyst said. That meant Salazar. Same week— Aron received intel. “They
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-22
Chapter: BecomingChapter 12Zurich – Two Years LaterSnow fell softly outside the glass walls of Virex Global Headquarters.Elaine Flores stood at the head of the boardroom.Not nervous.Not proving.Owning.Her hair was shorter now. Cleaner cut.Her posture sharper.Her voice lower. Controlled.“Shift the hedge to euro-franc stabilization,” she said calmly. “We don’t chase volatility. We position above it.”Executives twice her age listened.Not because she was loud.Because she was right.After the meeting, one board member approached her.“You negotiate like someone who’s lost something significant.”She gave a small, private smile.“I have.”“Do you miss it?”She paused.“Hindi ko nami-miss yung sakit,” she answered quietly. “Pero minsan… nami-miss ko yung version ko na marunong pang maghintay.”But she no longer waited.She built.⸻Meanwhile – PhilippinesAron Salazar had changed.Not publicly dramatic.Subtly.Board decisions became less aggressive.Partnerships became more collaborative.Emplo
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-22
Chapter: What Was Never SaidChapter 11Singapore – After the Zurich PresentationElaine stepped out of the executive dining room after meeting the Zurich board.Her posture was calm.Pero sa loob?Grabe ang tibok ng puso niya.She did well. She knew she did.Pero hindi siya nagyabang. Hindi siya nagdiwang.She just breathed.Paglingon niya—Nandoon si Aron sa dulo ng hallway.Tahimik.Watching.Hindi galit.Hindi dominant.Just… present.“You were impressive,” he said.“Thank you.”Walang lambing.Walang nostalgia.Professional.He studied her.“Hindi ka na natatakot magsalita.”She gave a small smile. “Natakot ako dati. Pero mas natakot akong mawala yung sarili ko.”That stayed between them.Heavy. Honest.⸻That Night – The CallHer phone rang while she was removing her heels.Aron.Saglit siyang pumikit bago sumagot.“Yes?”There was no small talk.“I didn’t love you the way you deserved.”Diretso.She didn’t breathe for a second.He continued.“Akala ko noon, love should feel overwhelming. Passionate. Chosen
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-22
Chapter: Regret Has a VoiceChapter 10Singapore – Late EveningPrivate BoardroomThe city lights reflected against the glass walls. Negotiations had ended an hour ago, but neither of them had left.Elaine was packing her laptop when Aron spoke.“You don’t look at me the same way anymore.”She paused.Not startled.Just still.“I don’t look at you the same way I used to,” she replied calmly.He exhaled slowly.“When we got married… I told myself it was obligation.”She didn’t interrupt.“I thought I was being honest. I thought I was doing the right thing by not pretending.”A quiet, bitter smile touched her lips.“You weren’t pretending,” she said softly. “You just didn’t choose me.”Silence filled the space between them.“I didn’t understand you,” he continued. “I thought you were passive. Content. I didn’t realize you were adjusting to survive.”Her throat tightened slightly — but she kept steady.“You never asked.”That one hurt.He stepped closer.“I regret how I handled it.”She met his eyes.“You regret le
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-02-22
Falling For My Ex-Fiance’s Ruthless Brother
Avah Alfonso thought the worst betrayal of her life was being left at the altar by her fiancé.
She never expected to fall for his powerful older brother.
Years later, Avah is rebuilding her life as a brilliant financial analyst and single mother to her son, Eijay. When she accepts a consulting job at Montefalco Global Holdings, she comes face-to-face with Sebastian Montefalco—cold, ruthless, and dangerously attractive.
Sebastian is everything she should avoid.
But when Avah accidentally uncovers a hidden global network controlled by a secret council of billionaires, she becomes their next target.
Now Sebastian must choose between protecting his family’s empire or protecting the woman who is slowly breaking down his walls.
As betrayal, power, and secrets collide, the truth about Avah’s past—and the real father of her child—threatens to change everything.
In a world ruled by power, love may be the most dangerous risk of all.
Baca
Chapter: The BetrayalChapter 24Victor’s face appeared under the cabin light.For a second, no one moved.No one breathed.My heart dropped straight to my stomach.“You,” Sebastian said quietly.Victor smiled.“I was wondering how long it would take you to figure it out.”Rafael turned slowly toward him.“You’re pointing a gun at the wrong person.”Victor shrugged.“I disagree.”The gun stayed aimed directly at Sebastian’s chest.Donn stepped forward immediately.“You’re insane.”Victor laughed softly.“No.”“I’m ambitious.”Sebastian didn’t move.His eyes stayed locked on Victor.“You’ve been working for my uncle this entire time.”Victor shook his head.“That’s the funny part.”He glanced toward Rafael.“I was never working for him.”Rafael’s calm expression finally cracked.“What?”Victor smiled wider.“I was using you.”The cabin air suddenly felt electric.Rafael’s voice dropped.“You’re making a mistake.”“No,” Victor said.“You did.”Victor gestured toward the small device Rafael had shown earlier.
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-04-02
Chapter: Blood Doesn’t Mean LoyaltyChapter 23The cabin door handle rattled again.Slow.Deliberate.The man outside wasn’t in a hurry.Which somehow made it worse.“Open the door, Sebastian,” the voice said calmly.My stomach tightened.I looked at Sebastian.His expression had completely changed.The calm CEO mask was gone.This was something deeper.Something personal.“You don’t have to open it,” I whispered.Sebastian didn’t answer.Donn stepped closer to him.“Don’t do it,” Donn said.“That man doesn’t come here to talk.”Sebastian’s jaw tightened.“I know.”Another knock.This time louder.“Sebastian,” the voice called again.“You’ve always been a polite host.”The cabin suddenly felt very small.Very fragile.“Who is he really?” I asked quietly.Sebastian finally spoke.“My father’s younger brother.”I frowned.“Your uncle?”“Yes.”Donn snorted.“Don’t make him sound harmless.”Sebastian’s eyes remained on the door.“He isn’t.”The voice outside chuckled softly.“You’re making me wait.”Sebastian exhaled slowly
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-31
Chapter: The CabinChapter 22We didn’t stop running until my lungs burned.Branches scratched against my arms as we pushed deeper through the trees. The forest behind the safe house felt endless, dark and uneven under our feet.I almost tripped twice.Each time, Sebastian’s hand caught my arm before I hit the ground.“Careful,” he said quietly.“I’m trying,” I breathed.Donn ran a few steps ahead of us, glancing back every few seconds.“They’re still behind us,” he said.“How close?” Sebastian asked.“Too close.”That wasn’t comforting.We kept moving.My legs were shaking now, but the sound of distant voices behind us kept my adrenaline going.Finally, the trees began thinning.A narrow dirt road appeared ahead.And beside it,A small wooden cabin.Sebastian stopped.“That’s not one of yours,” Donn said.“No.”“So we’re breaking in?”Sebastian didn’t hesitate.“Yes.”For once, Donn didn’t argue.Sebastian pushed the cabin door open.The place was old but clean. A single lamp sat on a small table, and
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-30
Chapter: No More SecretsChapter 21The moment Victor disappeared into the darkness outside the safe house, the air inside the room felt heavier.Like the walls themselves knew trouble was coming.I stood frozen for a moment, trying to process everything he had just said.My father.The encryption system.My fingerprint.The reason Donn disappeared.The reason people were hunting Sebastian.All of it somehow connected to me.“That can’t be real,” I whispered.Sebastian turned toward me.“I wish it wasn’t.”I ran a hand through my hair, trying to steady my breathing.“My father never told me anything like that.”“He wouldn’t have,” Sebastian said.“Why not?”“Because if anyone knew you were the key to the system, you would have been a target much sooner.”A cold shiver ran down my spine.“So he kept it secret… to protect me?”“Yes.”Donn leaned against the counter.“And unfortunately, I discovered the truth first.”I looked at him sharply.“How?”He hesitated.“Because the people I owed money to were already i
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-28
Chapter: The Secret About MeChapter 20 Victor’s words echoed through the broken doorway. “…the real secret Donn has been hiding… is about you.” My heart began pounding. “What are you talking about?” I asked. Victor stepped slowly inside the safe house as if he had every right to be there. Sebastian didn’t lower the gun. “Stop right there,” he said coldly. Victor raised his hands slightly. “I’m not here to fight.” “That’s not convincing.” Victor smiled. “I believe you already proved who would win that fight.” His eyes shifted toward me again. “There she is.” A chill crawled up my spine. “Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked. Victor tilted his head slightly. “Because you’re far more valuable than you realize.” Sebastian stepped closer to me instantly, placing himself between Victor and me. “You say another word about her and you’re leaving in an ambulance.” Victor chuckled softly. “Protective as always.” “Get to the point,” Sebastian snapped. Victor sighed like he was disappointed
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-17
Chapter: The Man at the GateChapter 19 The alarm on the monitor continued to flash red. My heart started racing again. Sebastian moved quickly toward the wall of security screens. Two black vehicles had stopped outside the metal gate of the property. Headlights cut through the darkness of the quiet road. Three men stepped out. I recognized one of them immediately. “Well,” Sebastian said quietly. “That was faster than expected.” My stomach tightened. “Is that him?” “Yes.” Victor Alvarez. Sebastian’s chief financial officer. The man Donn believed was helping the people hunting us. Victor stood outside the gate like he belonged there. Tall. Well dressed. Calm. Too calm. Donn walked into the room behind us. “What’s happening?” Sebastian pointed at the screen. Donn’s face darkened. “That’s him.” Victor pressed the intercom beside the gate. A moment later, his voice echoed through the speakers inside the safe house. “Sebastian.” The sound of his voice made the air feel colder. Sebastian d
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-17
Chapter: The One Thing That Didn’t Make SenseChapter 67 No one spoke for several seconds. Rafael kept staring at the photograph inside the black box. The harbor. The truck. Him standing beside it. Taken from a distance. But close enough to prove something important. Someone had been watching them the entire time. ⸻ Lucian broke the silence first. “That photo was taken less than twenty minutes ago.” Rafael nodded slightly. “Yes.” “Which means someone followed us.” “Or someone already knew we were going there.” ⸻ Dianne stepped closer to the table. “You think they tracked the car?” Lucian shook his head. “The vehicles are shielded.” Rafael added quietly, “And we didn’t transmit the location over open channels.” ⸻ Dianne folded her arms. “Then how did they know?” ⸻ That was the question. And Rafael hated questions that didn’t have immediate answers. Because those questions usually meant one thing. A leak. ⸻ Lucian looked toward the windows instinctively. “You think we’re being monitored?” “Possibl
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-04-02
Chapter: The Real TargetChapter 66 For one second no one moved. The harbor wind rushed across the empty terminal, rattling loose metal against the cargo crates. Then Rafael turned sharply toward Lucian. “How long?” Lucian checked the tracking again. “Eight minutes.” “From the harbor?” “Yes.” ⸻ Rafael was already moving toward the car. “Everyone back. Now.” Dianne followed without hesitation. Lucian ran ahead to the driver’s seat while Rafael’s men jumped into the second vehicle behind them. ⸻ The engine roared to life. Lucian accelerated out of the cargo terminal fast enough that the tires briefly lost grip on the pavement. ⸻ “They used us,” Lucian muttered. “Yes,” Rafael said calmly. “The harbor was bait.” ⸻ Dianne sat forward slightly in the back seat. “They wanted to pull you away from the building.” Rafael nodded. “That’s exactly what they did.” ⸻ Lucian glanced in the mirror. “You think they’re going after the penthouse?” “Yes.” “Why?” ⸻ Rafael’s answer was simple. “The
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-31
Chapter: The Harbor TrapChapter 65 The city looked different from the back seat of Rafael’s car. Not quieter. Just sharper. Like every street corner might be hiding something. ⸻ Dianne watched the buildings pass through the tinted window while Rafael sat beside her, calm in that dangerous way he had when something serious was about to happen. Lucian drove. Two of Rafael’s men followed in another car behind them. “How far?” Rafael asked. Lucian glanced at the navigation screen. “Seven minutes.” ⸻ Dianne leaned slightly forward. “Are they still moving?” Lucian nodded. “Convoy just reached Harbor District.” “Pier 14?” Rafael asked. “Yes.” ⸻ Rafael looked out the window. “That’s not a coincidence.” “No,” Dianne said quietly. “It isn’t.” ⸻ The harbor appeared ahead of them a few minutes later. Large cranes. Cargo containers stacked like metal walls. Ships anchored in the distance. Most of the area looked quiet. Too quiet. ⸻ Lucian slowed the car. “Convoy stopped.” “Where?” Rafae
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-30
Chapter: The Message They Couldn’t Ignore Chapter 64 The call came just after noon. Rafael was still in the study when Lucian’s name appeared on the screen again. He answered immediately. “What happened?” Lucian didn’t waste time. “We have movement.” Rafael straightened slightly. “What kind?” “The Senator just left the government complex.” “That’s not unusual.” “It is when he travels with Foundation security.” ⸻ Rafael’s eyes narrowed. “How many?” “Three vehicles.” “Where are they going?” Lucian hesitated. “That’s the strange part.” “What?” “They’re heading toward the harbor.” ⸻ Rafael stood up. The harbor was nowhere near the Senator’s usual schedule. “What’s at the harbor?” he asked. Lucian’s voice lowered. “A private cargo terminal.” ⸻ Dianne appeared in the doorway of the study. She had clearly heard enough of the conversation to understand something was happening. “What cargo terminal?” she asked. Rafael looked at her. “Pier 14.” Dianne’s expression sharpened immediately. “That’s not j
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-30
Chapter: The Quiet Before EverythingChapter 63 The penthouse felt different that morning. Not louder. Not more tense. Just… heavier. Dianne noticed it in small ways. Two more guards near the elevator. Rafael’s security system running on three screens instead of one. And Rafael himself standing near the kitchen counter, holding a mug of coffee he clearly hadn’t touched. “You’re staring at it,” she said. Rafael looked down at the mug like he had just remembered it existed. “Apparently.” “You’ve been doing that a lot lately.” “That’s what happens when people try to kill the woman living in your penthouse.” Dianne leaned against the counter across from him. “That sounds dramatic.” “It’s accurate.” ⸻ For a moment neither of them spoke. The quiet was comfortable in a strange way. Not awkward. Just thoughtful. ⸻ Dianne finally reached for the coffee machine and poured herself a cup. “You told Lucian to lock down the building.” “Yes.” “Full lockdown?” “Yes.” She blew lightly on the coffee. “That’s
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-28
Chapter: The Alliance They Never Planned Chapter 62 Dianne woke up to silence. Not the peaceful kind. The controlled kind. The kind that meant Rafael had already been working for hours. ⸻ When she stepped into the living room, she noticed the difference immediately. Two additional security guards near the elevator. The doors locked under biometric control. And Rafael standing near the large table in the center of the room, studying several screens at once. ⸻ “You fortified the building,” she said. Rafael didn’t look up. “Yes.” “That seems dramatic.” “It’s necessary.” ⸻ She walked closer. “What happened?” ⸻ Rafael finally turned toward her. “The Senator met with the Foundation last night.” Dianne’s expression sharpened. “In person?” “Yes.” ⸻ That confirmed what she already suspected. The situation had crossed an invisible line. ⸻ “They’re preparing containment,” Rafael continued. The word hit her immediately. “Containment?” “Yes.” ⸻ Dianne exhaled slowly. “That’s the same language used in
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-27

Dating The Wrong Brother
I slept with a stranger in Dubai.
The next morning he disappeared without a word.
Days later, I walked into the company I was hired to save…
and discovered my one-night stand was the CEO.
And worse—
he was the wrong brother.
Lana Vale never mixes business with pleasure.
As a brilliant executive consultant, she travels to Dubai to save a struggling billion-dollar company—Hale Industries. Her plan is simple: finish the restructuring, secure the deal, and leave without getting involved in the powerful Hale family.
But one drunken night changes everything.
After a party, Lana ends up in a passionate encounter with a mysterious stranger in her hotel room. No names. No promises. Just one unforgettable night.
The next morning, he’s gone.
Days later, Lana walks into Hale Industries for her first day of work—and nearly collapses when she sees him again.
The stranger from that night is Ethan Hale, the cold and dangerously attractive CEO of the company she was hired to fix.
And the situation gets even worse.
Because Ethan has a younger brother…
The brother Lana was actually supposed to meet.
What started as a mistake quickly turns into a dangerous secret.
As Lana works closely with Ethan to save the company, their chemistry becomes impossible to ignore. But the deeper their relationship grows, the more complicated everything becomes.
Family expectations.
Corporate power struggles.
And a mysterious woman determined to destroy the Hale empire.
Soon Lana realizes that the biggest mistake of her life might not be sleeping with Ethan.
It might be falling in love with him.
Because in the Hale family…
Love can be just as dangerous as betrayal.
And Lana Vale may have just made the worst mistake of all—
She started dating the wrong brother.
Baca
Chapter: When the Noise Fades Chapter 37 Lana – POV The building is finally quiet. For the first time in two days, the endless noise has stopped. No reporters shouting questions. No investors calling every ten minutes. No board members demanding emergency meetings. Just silence. I’m sitting in my office long after most employees have gone home, staring at the city lights outside the window. Dubai looks peaceful from this height. Which is ironic. Because inside this building, nothing feels peaceful. The press conference helped. The headlines are already shifting. Now the articles talk about the restructuring results instead of my past. But the damage isn’t completely gone. And Selene is still out there. Planning something. A knock on the door breaks my thoughts. “Come in.” Ethan steps inside. He closes the door quietly behind him. “You’re still here,” he says. “So are you.” He walks farther into the room, loosening his tie slightly. “You handled the press conference well.” “You did most o
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-04-02
Chapter: The Press Conference Chapter 36 Lana – POV By noon, the situation has become impossible to ignore. The headlines about my past are spreading quickly. Financial news outlets. Corporate blogs. Even social media accounts run by business analysts. Everyone suddenly has an opinion about my career. Most of them are wrong. But that doesn’t stop the damage. I’m sitting in Ethan’s office reviewing another article when Daniel walks in. “Well,” he says. “This escalated quickly.” “That’s an understatement.” He drops his phone on the desk in front of me. Another headline appears on the screen. “Consultant Behind Hale Industries Restructuring Linked to Controversial Corporate Collapse.” I close my eyes briefly. “That project was five years ago.” “I know.” “The company was already failing before I got involved.” Daniel nods. “But the media loves simple stories.” “And this one is simple.” “Powerful CEO.” “Controversial consultant.” “Corporate romance.” I sigh. “That sounds terrible when you s
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-31
Chapter: The Hidden Contract Chapter 35 Lana – POV The next morning begins with silence. Not peaceful silence. The kind that comes before something explodes. When I step into the executive floor of Hale Industries, the atmosphere feels tense again. More tense than yesterday. Which shouldn’t be possible. But apparently, things can always get worse. I reach my office just as my phone buzzes. Daniel. “Come to Ethan’s office,” he says immediately. “Good morning to you too.” “This isn’t a social call.” “What happened?” “Just come.” The call ends. That’s never a good sign. ⸻ When I enter Ethan’s office, both brothers are already there. Daniel stands near the desk, arms crossed. Ethan is reviewing something on his laptop. The tension between them is obvious. “What’s going on?” I ask. Daniel doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he places a folder on Ethan’s desk. “You want to explain this?” he asks. Ethan looks up. “What is it?” “Something I found in my office last night.” Ethan opens the f
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-30
Chapter: Under the CamerasChapter 34 Lana – POV I should have known the media wouldn’t give up so easily. The moment I step out of the building that evening, I realize exactly how bad things have become. At least twelve reporters are waiting outside the main entrance of Hale Industries. Cameras. Microphones. Phones held up like weapons. The moment they see me, everything explodes. “Ms. Vale!” “Lana!” “Is your relationship with Ethan Hale affecting company decisions?” “Did you manipulate the restructuring contract?” The questions come from every direction at once. I freeze for a second. Daniel, who had been walking beside me, mutters under his breath. “Great.” Security immediately steps forward, trying to control the crowd. But the reporters push closer. “Ms. Vale, can you comment on the scandal?” “Did the CEO give you unfair authority?” “Are investors right to question your role?” My heart starts racing. This isn’t just uncomfortable. It’s humiliating. Daniel leans closer. “Keep walki
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-30
Chapter: Damage Control Chapter 32 Lana – POV By the time the morning meeting begins, the tension inside Hale Industries has become impossible to ignore. The scandal is no longer just media gossip. Now it’s affecting the company. Assistants rush through the executive floor with worried expressions. Phones ring constantly. And several department heads are already waiting outside the conference room. Investors. My stomach tightens as I step inside. Ethan is already there, sitting at the head of the long table. Daniel stands near the window, scrolling through his phone. When he looks up, he shakes his head slightly. “That bad?” I ask quietly. “Worse.” “Fantastic.” Ethan glances at both of us. “Let’s start.” The door closes. Six investors sit across from us. Their expressions are polite. But tense. One of them, Mr. Al-Farid, clears his throat. “Mr. Hale,” he begins. “We appreciate you meeting with us so quickly.” “Of course,” Ethan replies calmly. “We have concerns.” “That’s understan
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-28
Chapter: No More SecretsChapter 30 Lana – POV By midday, the scandal is everywhere. Financial news sites. Corporate blogs. Social media. Everywhere. My phone hasn’t stopped buzzing since the first article appeared. Some messages are supportive. Others are far less kind. “Corporate favoritism.” “Consultant sleeping her way to the top.” I stop reading after that. “Don’t read the comments.” Ethan’s voice comes from across the hotel suite. He’s standing by the window, speaking quietly on the phone with someone from the company’s PR team. “I wasn’t planning to,” I reply. “Good.” He ends the call and turns toward me. “They’re preparing a statement.” “That sounds serious.” “It is.” “What are you telling them?” “That the rumors are exaggerated.” My eyebrow lifts slightly. “That’s one way to describe it.” His mouth curves faintly. “You’re not helping.” I sigh. “This is getting worse.” “Only temporarily.” “Ethan, the entire corporate world thinks I manipulated you.” “I don’t.” “That’s
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-03-27