Chapter 10

In the days that followed, the work on the wedding gown went smoothly.

At the same time, I often heard news of the corporate showdown between William and the Ashton Group.

Neither side showed any mercy. They cut off funding, poached each other's core teams, and exposed shady dealings.

Even if it meant wounding themselves, both sides were determined to drag the other into the mud.

...

In just half a month, Astoria City's business world was turned upside down.

Then, on a stormy night, as I sewed the final button onto the gown, I happened to see the headline announcing William's company going bankrupt.

On the news, he looked pale and far thinner than before, as if he could barely stand.

The Ashton Group retained its foundation but was badly hit, after which the company was forced to sell nearly half its assets.

Caroline's mother, Barbara Simpson, had collapsed from exhaustion. The camera caught Caroline standing outside the company building, staring blankly as Barbara was loaded