8. The Summit 

A few hours later.

The chaos of the day had finally died down. 

Inside the CEO’s office, I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, my eyes fixed on the bustling city below as I let the silence sink in.

Time drifted by…

Then my phone rang, a strange number displayed on the screen.

I waited until it rang again. 

The third time, I answered, waiting for the other person to speak first.

“Annalise…”

Aiden’s voice.

I wasn’t a bit surprised.

“Why did you block my number? Where did you go? I searched everywhere, including that apartment I found you three years ago.”

He paused, probably wondering if I was listening.

“Annalise, are you there?” He trailed off for a while. “If Mom finds out you are gone, you know the consequences. I have already promised that we’ll try for another child. What else do you want me to do?”

He sounded tired,

Almost frustrated. 

As if my presence ever meant anything to him. 

I tapped the hang-up button.

When the strange number called again, without hesitation, I blocked it.

“Ms. Sterling?” A soft knock sounded. Then Linda came in, holding some document folders. “These are all from the Finance Department as you requested.”

“By the way.” She dropped the documents. “About the business conference set to take place tomorrow, should we change the date? You must be tired from all the meetings and restructuring.”

The conference.

The date was set a month ago, and all the guests had already been invited.

Canceling it at this critical moment would only intensify criticism against the company.

“We’ll proceed with the conference.” I sat on my chair. “Please ensure everything is set.”

“Got it, Ms. Sterling. I'll check with the event planners right away.”

After speaking, Linda didn't walk out immediately. She hesitated before adding, “Ms. Sterling, you did great in proving the board of directors wrong. Nobody expected you to come up with those sharp strategies.”

I laughed softly.

After she left, I was about to resume reading the documents when my phone rang again.

At first, I planned to ignore it. But Tania’s name flashed on the screen.

“Hey, Tania—”

“Anna! No way! Is it true!?”

“Yeah,” swiveling the chair around, I faced the glass walls. “Wanna confirm in person?”

“Haaaaa! Yes! Yes! Just make sure you aren't pulling my legs, or else, you know what's coming.”

“That reminds me,” Tania added. “Are you sure we shouldn't teach that scumbag a lesson?”

“Who?”

“Aiden, of course.”

“Who’s Aiden…?”

Tania and I spoke for a while. 

When I finally dropped my phone, the sky was already dark outside.

I didn't leave the company though, until I went through all the documents. 

By then, not a single employee was in the company. Except for the securities, everyone had already left. 

“Ms. Sterling.” The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror. “Are you sure you don't want to go back to the mansion?”

“Take me to Nightfall Avenue,” I repeated, glancing up from my phone.

Hesitation flashed in the driver’s eyes. “But, your grandfather…”

Before he finished speaking, something else caught my attention.

A sudden image that popped up on one of the billboards. 

A man in his thirties… 

Dressed in a charcoal suit, he stood before a backdrop of city lights, one hand tucked casually into his pocket. 

His features were sharp and refined, carrying the effortless composure of someone accustomed to standing above the crowd.

There was nothing flamboyant about him.

No exaggerated smile.

No attempt to appear approachable.

Just that detached calm that, for some reason, people seemed to mistake for charisma.

Beneath the image, a headline stretched across the screen:

[The Hale Group Announces New Expansion Plans.]

I looked away, returning my eyes to my phone.

“Nightfall Avenue,” I said again.

The driver no longer argued, and he sighed in defeat before turning the car around.

The Next Morning;

IvoryHills Hotel was flooded with guests from all over the country.

Luxury vehicles lined the entrance one after another, their polished exteriors gleaming beneath the morning sun.

Business leaders.

Government representatives.

Investors.

Technology innovators.

Media outlets, from both local and international agencies.

The annual Global Innovation and Infrastructure Summit was one of the largest events hosted by the Sterling Empire every year.

And this year, more attention was focused on it than ever before.

Because, news of Alexander Sterling’s attack had already spread everywhere. 

Inside the grand conference hall, thousands of seats stretched across the enormous venue.

Crystal chandeliers hung overhead.

Giant LED screens displayed the summit’s theme:

[Building Tomorrow: Innovation, Infrastructure, and Sustainable Growth.]

“Will Alexander Sterling attend?”

“I heard his condition is critical.”

“The Sterling Empire has never missed this conference before.”

“Who will deliver the keynote speech?”

As I stepped through the main entrance with Linda by my side, countless conversations filled the air.

“Ms. Sterling.” Linda suddenly stopped walking. “My apologies. I forgot the presentation drive in the car. It contains your keynote materials.”

I nodded and continued forward alone as Linda rushed away.

Unfortunately, I had barely taken several steps when someone bumped into my shoulder. 

“Oh!” A startled voice sounded.

I looked up.

A middle-aged woman stood before me, dressed in expensive jewelry and designer clothing. 

Beside her stood Cassandra.

For a moment, the woman’s eyes widened. Then her expression darkened instantly. 

“You filthy girl! What are you doing here?”