Chapter 1 - Before The Fall

‎‎Empires don't collapse slowly. They collapse all at once.

The Rivera boardroom had never been this quiet. All that could be heard were the heavy breaths of some staff. Moments ago it had been chaotic, executives threatening to file lawsuits, reporters gathered outside the building, employees stood outside the glass-walled boardroom, watching in silence, worried about their jobs.

The large screen at the end of the boardroom displayed the company’s financial reports, the numbers glowing in harsh red. Stock prices were falling by the minute.

A few executives kept glancing at their phones, their faces growing paler each time a new notification appeared. News outlets were already reporting the scandal. Investors were withdrawing support faster than anyone had expected.

The empire the Rivera family had spent decades building was about to collapse.

‎Now everyone was staring at Elena Rivera who looked composed on her seat, like all this didn't faze her.

Elena’s eyes moved slowly around the table, studying each face. Panic, fear, frustration—those emotions were easy to recognize.

But one expression stood out.

One executive sat quietly, far too composed for a man whose company was supposedly collapsing. His fingers tapped lightly against the table, the rhythm slow and steady.

Almost patient.

As if he had expected the outcome all along.

Elena noticed the detail immediately.

People who were about to lose millions rarely looked that calm.

‎A trembling manager finally spoke up. "Miss Rivera, the banks just froze all company accounts. What should we do?"

‎Marcus Rivera, Elena's older brother, slammed his hands on the table as he stood up. "This is impossible, there must have been a mistake somewhere!"

‎Elena didn't even flinch. She leaned back in her chair, expression unreadable.

‎"It's not a mistake. Someone wants the Rivera corporation to collapse." she said.

‎An executive cleared his throat nervously. "Maybe we should just explain the situation to our investors. If we're honest with them, they might give us some time."

‎Elena looked at him as if he had said something ridiculous. "Honesty?" she repeated softly. She stood and walked to the window overlooking the skyline.

‎"People don't help you because you're honest," she said. "They help you when they gain something in return."

‎The room fell silent.

‎Marcus frowned at her. "Elena... not everyone is like that."

‎She gave a small, bitter smile. "You'd be surprised."

‎Because she had learnt the most important lesson in life.

‎Trust no one.

‎And if you want to survive... Use people before they use you

Another executive said frustrated “What are you going to do Miss Rivera? You are the acting CEO and your father's company is about to collapse!”

Some executives nodded in agreement whispering to one another.

Elena folded her arms and looked at the executives one by one.

“Interesting,” she said coolly. “When Rivera Corporation was thriving, everyone in this room proudly called it our company.” Her eyes hardened slightly. “But the moment a crisis appears, it suddenly becomes my father’s company—the one you’re all so eager to abandon.”

Marcus leaned back slightly, watching the room.

For a moment, no one spoke. The board members who had once questioned Elena’s leadership now avoided looking in her direction. The same men who had been arguing loudly just minutes ago now sat stiffly in their chairs, their confidence fading under Elena’s steady gaze. In that moment, it became painfully clear who truly controlled the room.

For generations, the Rivera name had stood for power in the business world. Her grandfather had built the company from nothing, and her father had turned it into an empire. Now that empire was crumbling in front of her eyes—and everyone in the room was waiting to see if Elena Rivera would save it… or become the one who destroyed it.

Marcus ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

“We can't just sit here waiting for the company to collapse,” he said. “There has to be something we can do.”

Elena turned slightly toward him.

“There is,” she replied.

Marcus frowned. “Then why aren't you saying it?”

Elena didn’t answer immediately.

She slowly walked back to the table.

The weight of every gaze in the room followed her.

These people were not just employees. They were shareholders, directors, men who had spent years protecting their own interests within the company.

If Rivera Corporation collapsed, many of them would lose fortunes.

But Elena knew something they didn’t.

Most of them were already planning their escape.

‎Just then, the boardroom door burst open, interrupting her thoughts. A lawyer rushed inside, pale and breathless.

‎Miss Rivera... there's more bad news.

‎Everyone turned towards him. He swallowed.

‎"The fraud investigation just became official"

‎Marcus froze.

‎"If we can't repay the debt within thirty days..." The lawyer's voice dropped. "You could be arrested."

‎Around the room, panic spread like wildfire. Executives whispered urgently to each other, phones lighting up as they tried to reach investors who were no longer answering. One director was already wiping sweat from his forehead, while another stared blankly at the frozen financial reports on the screen. To them, Rivera Corporation was collapsing in real time.

Inside, Elena could feel the pressure building like a storm ready to break. But years of experience had taught her one thing… leaders did not panic. The moment she showed weakness, everyone in this room would start preparing their escape.

Her mind ran through every possible solution—banks, investors, political connections. One by one, she rejected them all. None of them had the power to reverse what was happening. Only one person did.

‎Elena remained silent. Because there's only one person she could think of at the moment.

The person who could fix all this disaster. 

The man she has sworn never to see again.

‎Adrian Vale.

‎The man she betrayed five years ago.