Zachary let out a low chuckle.“Classic move, Mr. Sanders—burning the bridge right after crossing it, huh?”Melvin’s expression turned grim. His voice grew heavier.“You think we pushed Vivian too far? She’s the kind who always goes all-in. That kind of recklessness... even you and I can't match it.”Vivian had always lived by one rule: Go down fighting than live with humiliation. That was just how she operated.Zachary raised an eyebrow.“You’re worried she’ll do something drastic?”Melvin narrowed his eyes, gazing into the distance.“She’s done it before. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten how ruthless she can be.”The memory hit like a cold wave—sharp and jarring. Flashbacks tore through Zachary’s mind. Brutal. Unforgettable. His whole body tensed, and his voice dropped a register.“How could I forget? Those few days after it all went down... I barely made it out.”Zachary saw the shift in his expression and knew—he hadn’t forgotten. None of them had. It was a scar that h
Still in the car, Vivian sat in silence, her mind racing with questions.What exactly was Grandpa doing?Her assistant’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and his voice trembled slightly.“Miss Wilson… the company just sent out an email.”Vivian’s eyes sharpened. She leaned over and locked her gaze on his screen. The moment she saw it, her pupils constricted.“Why?”It was an official company-wide message—and she knew without a doubt that it came from her grandfather. Aside from herself, he was the only one with the authority to send something like that.It was a notice of personnel changes.Her title had been removed. Her position was now listed as vacant, and all her responsibilities were being handed over to the vice president.But why?She had just been thrown out of City Hall not long ago. How had Grandpa found out so quickly—and already made all the preparations?As soon as she got home, she rushed inside, desperate to find him. But Marianne stopped her at the stairs
Vivian left amid a storm of insults, slipping away with her proposal in hand, humiliated.She knew very well—what happened in West Ridge was years ago. There was no evidence left. If Zachary wanted to take her down, his only weapon was public opinion. And clearly, he understood that. This entire ambush had been crafted with that in mind.When it came to morality, people loved to play God. Everyone thought they stood on higher moral ground.Vivian stared at her phone. The negative press was endless. Article after article, she could barely keep up.One particularly long post had a video embedded at the bottom.It was a tour of the abandoned factory in West Ridge. The camera started from the foot of the mountain and slowly moved through the factory gates. The footage was chilling—broken-down machines, rotting beams, and the haunting silence of a place where too many had died. Their stories, their remains, had become part of the ruin.The video’s title read: Let Them Come Home.Noth
The entire East Coast was in an uproar—like a tidal wave about to swallow everything in its path.At the front of the conference hall, Melvin handed over the Wilson Group’s proposal. But surprisingly, Zachary didn’t submit anything.Vivian immediately understood what that meant. He was giving the opportunity to the Sanders. Just handing it over.He really trusts them that much?But she had no intention of stepping aside.With a calm and graceful smile, Vivian was just about to pass her proposal to the staff when—“Wait!”A cold, commanding voice rang out across the room.All eyes turned toward her. Vivian’s heart gave a faint jolt. She had a bad feeling. Her hand froze in midair, still holding the proposal.A man with a grim expression walked straight up to her and pointed.“Miss Wilson, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”Vivian’s brow furrowed. “Excuse me? I’m here on behalf of the Wilson Group. I’m representing our company at this bid.”“I know,” the man said. “That’s
Zachary looked a little awkward, holding his hands up as if to explain.“She was the one who hugged me. She’s drunk.”Melvin pulled Sarah away from him and snapped,“Pervert.”He supported his sister as they left, but not before shooting Zachary a scathing glare.Zachary stood there, watching them disappear. His expression turned distant, quietly disappointed.That version of Sasa just now… she really was adorable.---The Day of the Bidding Conference – The WilsonsMr. Wilson looked at Vivian with a rare seriousness.“This bid is critical. You’re not allowed to fail.”“I understand, Grandpa,” she replied firmly.—At City Hall, a luxury car pulled up outside. A pair of sleek heels stepped out of the vehicle.Vivian, dressed in a sharp business outfit, walked into the hall with two assistants trailing closely behind.It wasn’t hard to tell—every guest at the conference was a major player in the business world. Even a few elusive industry giants, who rarely showed their fac
Vivian let out a bitter laugh.“You’re right. He doesn’t love me.”Mr. Wilson sighed, eyes clouded with disappointment.“Vivian, if you keep letting your emotions run wild, think about your parents. Don’t repeat their mistakes.”She lowered her gaze.“This is on me, Grandpa. I let my feelings take over. These past few months, I’ve been completely lost. I haven’t been myself.”“Then keep looking until you find your footing again,” he snapped. “I’ve spent years preparing you for this. Are you really going to throw it all away over Zachary?”Vivian looked up at him, hesitant.“Do you still believe in me?”“Of course I do.” His tone softened just a bit. “At the bidding meeting the day after tomorrow, I want to see the old Vivian again. Don’t let me down.”---At Pine Mist Island.As the last of the guests left, the banquet finally came to an end. Sarah told the staff to go home and come back tomorrow to clean up. By then, she was already halfway drunk, swaying slightly as she walke