Se connecterAmber POVChaos erupted the second the shots rang through the mountains.Workers screamed and scattered in every direction, some dropping tools as they ran for cover while the police escorts immediately began shouting into their radios for reinforcements.The sharp echo of gunfire bounced violently against the cliffs surrounding the mines, making it impossible to tell exactly where the shooters were positioned.I hit the ground hard beside Jason behind one of the rocky inclines, my palms scraping against dirt and gravel while another shot cracked somewhere overhead.“Stay down,” Jason ordered sharply.His body shielded mine almost entirely, broad shoulders tense as he kept himself between me and the open terrain.The governor’s security detail was already moving, weapons drawn while officers rushed civilians toward the Jeeps farther behind us.Still, despite the numbers around us, I knew exactly how fragile this situation truly was.If Jason did not have the influence he carried—If p
Amber POVThe planning progressed terrifyingly fast after that.Within forty-eight hours, legal teams were mobilized, investment proposals finalized, and enough paperwork exchanged between Asher Corp, Sol Management, and Phoenix Ashes to make the entire trip look like nothing more than an aggressive family expansion strategy.Which, technically, it was.Just not entirely for business reasons.By the time we boarded my grandfather’s private plane, half the Asher board was already treating Jason like some kind of mythical creature.Not openly, of course.Executives of that level knew how to maintain professionalism.But every glance lingered slightly too long.Every interaction carried quiet curiosity beneath polished corporate masks.Because while most people knew Jason Sun as the billionaire head of Sol management and one of the most influential businessmen in the country—The older executives remembered something else.Someone else.His mother.Jason sat beside me near one of the lar
Amber POVBefore I could properly enjoy the absolute horror on the associates’ faces, the elevator doors behind us opened.And my grandfather walked out.The entire lobby straightened instantly.Executives who moments earlier had barely acknowledged me now looked one step away from cardiac arrest.My grandfather, however, seemed entirely unbothered by the tension surrounding him.The moment his eyes landed on me, his severe expression softened visibly.“Amber.”Not Ms. Asher.Not granddaughter.Amber.That alone sent another visible wave of shock through the lobby staff.He walked directly toward me, ignoring everyone else entirely before briefly squeezing my shoulder.“Come,” he said calmly. “The board is waiting.”Adrian looked deeply entertained by the chaos unfolding around us.The elevator ride to the executive floors passed in silence.Mostly because the board members inside looked terrified to breathe incorrectly near my grandfather.The moment we entered the conference room, e
Amber POVMy grandfather called me the morning after we finalized the Sum travel arrangements.Not as my grandfather.As Chairman Asher.“Come to the company tomorrow.”No greeting.No buildup.Straight to business.I leaned back against the kitchen counter while watching Jason argue with Alex over whether “tactical backpacks” were appropriate for a family trip.“I already manage Phoenix Ashes,” I reminded him carefully.“And you manage it well,” my grandfather replied immediately. “But Phoenix Ashes is still only one part of the Asher influence.”A pause.“As my granddaughter and heir, you will eventually be expected to help manage Asher Corp directly.”That made me go quiet.Because despite everything that had happened recently…Despite the investigations, the Vincents, the Beckers, the White family—There was still an empire waiting behind my grandfather’s name.And one day…It would become mine.“I’ve allowed you freedom because I knew you needed to build something of your own,” h
Amber POVJason was angry.Not loud.Not explosive.Which somehow felt far worse.He paced through the fairy house command center like a man preparing for war, tension radiating from every movement while his eyes constantly flickered toward security feeds and perimeter alerts.Twice, I caught him looking over his shoulder when absolutely nothing had moved.That alone worried me more than he realized.Because Jason did not scare easily.And Gabriel Vincent’s call had affected him deeply.We informed Emory and Mr. Stait immediately after settling the children upstairs for the night.The secure video call connected within minutes.The moment Gabriel Vincent’s name left my mouth, both men went completely still.“He’s in the country?” Emory asked sharply.Mr. Stait looked equally surprised.“We had no notification of a Vincent family arrival,” he admitted grimly.Jason laughed humorlessly from beside me.“Well,” he said coldly, “now you do.”The room fell silent for a moment afterward.Emo
Jason POVI leaned back slowly against the seat, replaying the conversation inside my head.Every pause.Every carefully chosen word.“I’ve heard wonderful things about Alex and Alice.”Not from the school.From surveillance.“I was hoping to secure business with your corporation.”Not a request.An acknowledgment.Gabriel Vincent knew exactly how much power Cronos actually held.And if he knew that—Then the Vincents likely had far deeper intelligence networks inside the country than we originally believed.Amber crossed her arms slowly.“He wasn’t introducing himself.”A pause.“He was letting us know he already sees the board.”The board.The game.The pieces.And somehow, that realization disturbed me more than the direct threat itself.Because people like Gabriel Vincent did not speak casually.Every sentence carried intention.Every implication was measured.Which meant the real message hidden beneath the call was simple.I know who you are.I know where your children are.And n
Once again, we were awakened by loud knocking at our door. Not hesitant. Not polite. Insistent. Jason was already sitting up before I fully opened my eyes. “I’ll get it,” he said quietly. I pushed myself upright, heart racing, and reached blindly for my phone on the nightstand. 7:02 a.m. Wh
As Jason gently woke Alex, I noticed something that made my spine straighten. Ms. Patric was holding a small recording device. Not just a tablet. A separate recorder. She turned it in her hand casually, but I saw the red indicator light. Without drawing attention to myself, I reached into the
By day ten, my company was officially operational. Contracts were signed. Staff were onboarded. Security systems were fully integrated. The only position left to fill was my assistant. And that, somehow, felt like the most dangerous decision of all.
It did not take long for Victoria to fabricate a lie, but the explosion didn’t come from the board.It came from a live broadcast.Victoria stood behind a polished podium, composed as ever. Cameras flashed. Reporters leaned forward.“I did not intend to involve myself publicly,” she began, voice s







