Chapter 4 — The Fire Begins to Burn

That afternoon, the city sky looked overcast as Elara stepped into a café located not far from the business district. The warm aroma of coffee mixed with the soft sound of piano melodies filled the room, creating a calm atmosphere that contrasted with the storm inside her heart.

At the corner near the window, Eric Calthom was already waiting.

The man stood up when he saw Elara arrive. His body was tall, dressed in a simple white shirt with a navy suit jacket hanging over the back of the chair. His face was still the same as it had been several years ago—calm, warm, and always giving a sense of security.

“Elara,” Eric greeted with a faint smile.

Elara returned the smile and sat down in front of him. “Thank you for being willing to meet me this quickly.”

Eric slowly shook his head. “For you, I’m ready anytime.”

A waiter came over carrying two cups of coffee that seemed to have been ordered in advance by Eric. Elara stared at the cup for a few seconds, then let out a long breath.

“You look thinner,” Eric said, his eyes observing Elara’s face with full attention. “Has he not been treating you well?”

Elara gave a faint smile, a smile that did not truly reach her eyes. “Let’s not talk about that. That’s not the reason I wanted to meet.”

Eric looked at her for a long moment, then nodded. “Alright. Tell me.”

Elara clasped her fingers together on the table. “I want to reclaim my mother’s legacy.”

The words came out calmly, but full of determination.

Eric’s gaze immediately turned serious. “You mean… the Yoris Group?”

Elara nodded slowly. For a few seconds, she looked out the window, watching raindrops begin to fall against the glass.

“That company was built by my mother from nothing,” she said softly. “My mother was the one who designed its business foundation, developed the pharmaceutical division, and expanded the network of private hospitals under the Yoris Group.”

Her voice began to sound heavier. “When I was little, my mother often took me to the office. I still remember how she worked until late at night, yet still came home to read me a bedtime story.”

Elara’s eyes reddened slightly.

“Then everything changed when my father brought Vina into the house.”

Eric remained silent, letting her continue.

“The Elara Yoris of today was born from a great woman,” she continued softly. “My mother was not only a businesswoman, she was also a highly respected doctor. Everything I have today—my ability in the medical field, the way I think, even my strength to endure—comes from her.”

Her fingers clenched into fists.

“And I refuse to let my father and that woman enjoy the fruits of my mother’s hard work.”

Elara’s gaze turned sharp. “My father betrayed my mother.”

The words came out like a knife. “The affair had already existed even before my mother died.”

Eric took a slow breath. “Elara…”

“I want to destroy him,” Elara said firmly. “I want to take everything back.”

The atmosphere at their table suddenly fell silent.

Then Eric leaned back in his chair, looking at Elara with a gaze full of admiration. “I’ll help you.”

Elara lifted her face. “Are you serious?”

“As much as I can, I will help you,” Eric repeated firmly. “Whether it’s returning to the medical world, or with the Yoris Group.”

Now, Elara felt that there was finally someone truly standing by her side. “Thank you, Eric.”

Eric smiled faintly.

“But there’s one thing,” Elara said then.

Eric frowned.

“I want my identity as a doctor to remain a secret.”

Eric’s expression turned puzzled.

“From whom?”

“From the public, including Mike. And the Yoris family.”

She looked straight at Eric.

“I don’t want them to know that I’m working in the medical field again.”

Eric was silent for a few moments before finally nodding.

“I understand.” His tone was serious. “I’ll keep it a secret.”

Elara smiled faintly. “Good.” Her gaze sharpened again. “Because this time, I want to move in silence.”

At the same time, on the top floor of the Laurent Group company building, Mike was sitting in his office.

The large black wooden desk in front of him was filled with business cooperation documents that he had to sign. His gaze was focused, his jaw tense, his fingers moving as he turned page after page.

The office door opened without a knock. The sweet scent of floral perfume immediately filled the air.

Mike did not even need to lift his head to know who had arrived.

A few seconds later, two arms wrapped around his shoulders from behind.

Who else could it be if not Vania.

She hugged Mike from behind sweetly, her cheek resting on the man’s shoulder.

“I’m still upset with Elara,” she complained softly.

Mike stopped the movement of his hand, then closed the document in front of him.

He let out a short breath. “Who told you to ask me to get close to her and even marry her in the first place?” His tone was cold, but not harsh. Mike turned slightly toward Vania. “So this is how it turned out, isn’t it?”

Vania pouted. “At that time, I was emotional.”

She released her embrace, then walked around to the front of Mike’s desk. The white dress she wore made her appearance look elegant and fragile. “I couldn’t think clearly,” she continued in a soft voice. “At first, I only wanted to teach Elara a lesson.”

Mike looked at her for a long moment. There was no judgment on the man’s face.

“Forget it,” he finally said.

Mike stood up from his chair, then walked closer to Vania.

“What matters now is that we stay together.”

Vania lifted her face, her eyes sparkling.

Mike continued in a low voice. “Even if we do not become husband and wife…”

He raised his hand, gently touching Vania’s hair. “Whatever you want, I will fulfill it.” Mike’s gaze deepened. “As repayment.”

Vania smiled slowly.

“Because you are my savior.”

Those words made the smile on Vania’s lips grow even wider.

But behind her gentle face, there was something far darker.

Inside her heart, she laughed. “Even though it wasn’t me.” Her gaze flashed for a moment. “But oh well. What matters now is that Mike believes that I’m the one who saved him.”

She moved closer to Mike’s body, wrapping her arms around the man’s waist.

“Mike… I just want us to go back to how we used to be.”

Mike looked at her for a few seconds, then nodded slowly. “Our relationship will be fine.”

Vania rested her head against Mike’s chest. Her smile grew thinner. In her mind, one name kept circling.

Elara.

Her stepsister who had always managed to get something she wanted.

And now…

Vania would not let Elara take anything ever again.

Meanwhile, at the café, Elara stood up from her chair. Her gaze looked at the rain that was beginning to pour heavily outside. Her fingers gripped the bag in her hand tightly.

“The game has only just begun,” she said softly.

The woman who had once been gentle was now slowly turning into someone who would not be easily broken anymore.

Eric looked at Elara very closely. “So what is your reason for staying, even though you know that all this time your husband has not loved you?”

Elara smiled with a smirk. “Of course, I’m going to pay him back in the same way.”