Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

ALEXI’S POV

“We’re talking about millions here, Alexandra. An international distribution network, an extensive marketing campaign, and guaranteed funding for the next three years,” Derrick, my chief operating officer, said seriously as he placed the thick leather folder on my desk.

I glanced at the document while sitting comfortably in my chair. I hadn’t even touched it yet, but I could already feel a strange chill spreading through my entire system. I opened the folder and quickly read through every page.

Vantage International was a well-known name overseas. In the Philippines, it was considered one of the wealthiest corporations. If I accepted this investment proposal, Aurelia & Co. wouldn’t just become well-known in Asia. We would become a global brand within a few months.

This had been my dream ever since I built this company through my own hard work and sleepless nights. I was smiling on the inside, already imagining how far we could go, but all the excitement disappeared the moment my eyes landed on the final part of the background assessment.

Principal Investor: Valeriano Group.

My heart practically stopped beating. My fingers turned cold as I stared at the name written on the paper.

Gideon Valeriano.

The ruthless and feared mafia billionaire I had been desperately trying to erase from my life for the past six years was the man behind this investment proposal.

“Alexandra? Are you okay?” Derrick asked when he noticed my sudden silence. “Is there something wrong with the terms?”

“I’m rejecting the investment, Derrick,” I said coldly as I closed the folder.

His eyes widened. “What? Are you out of your mind? This is the biggest proposal our company has ever received! We’re talking about millions, Alexandra. There are businessmen willing to do anything just to earn the Valerianos’ trust. We’re incredibly lucky! They’re practically handing us everything on a silver platter!”

He had no idea what was going on. To him, this was an extraordinary opportunity for the company. He couldn’t understand why I would even consider turning it down when we could benefit from such a generous offer.

But he didn’t know Gideon Valeriano.

He didn’t know how dangerous that man was or how easily he could turn an innocent business transaction into something much more sinister. I wasn’t about to risk everything I had built just because someone offered me millions.

“Then let them have it,” I answered, leaning back in my swivel chair.

I forced myself to remain calm, hoping Derrick wouldn’t notice the fear beginning to creep into my chest. I couldn’t afford to show any weakness, especially when I was trying to protect something far more important than my company.

“I will not sell any equity in Aurelia & Co. to the Valeriano Group. I won’t allow them to have any control or direct involvement in the management of my company.”

“But why?” His voice was filled with disappointment. “We need their distribution network to enter the foreign market. This could change everything for us.”

I took a deep breath. He had a point. Rejecting Vantage International outright would raise questions from the board. I couldn’t simply throw away an opportunity this big without giving them a reasonable explanation.

“Tell them I’m willing to agree to a distribution partnership,” I said, pushing the folder back toward him. “We will use their network and pay their standard fees, but we will not accept a single cent of their investment. No equity sharing, no seats on the board, and absolutely no direct involvement in the company’s operations.”

Derrick stared at me for a moment.

“They might not accept this counterproposal, Alexandra. The Valeriano Group is used to owning everything they touch.”

“Then the deal is off. It’s that simple.”

I said it as though losing billions of pesos wouldn’t matter to me if the deal went through. Money had never been worth sacrificing my peace of mind, much less the safety of someone I loved.

“Tell them my terms. They’re the ones who approached us, so we’re the ones who get to dictate how we want this agreement to work.”

Derrick nodded, although it was obvious he still couldn’t understand my decision. He picked up the folder and left my office, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

It was only after the door closed that I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Vantage International had a reputation for partnering with newly established companies that hadn’t grown too large yet. They offered generous investments, impressive connections, and opportunities that most business owners could only dream of. But there was always a catch.

And judging by their business practices, I already had an idea what it was.

They would use my company for their underground operations.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they had already investigated every aspect of Aurelia & Co. before making this proposal. They knew our current market position, our financial standing, and how much we needed international exposure. They were offering exactly what I wanted, and that was what made the whole thing suspicious.

If they thought they were cunning, then I could be even more cunning.

I stood up and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The streets below were crowded with vehicles, people rushing to their destinations, and buildings standing tall against the afternoon sky. Everything looked peaceful from where I stood, but I knew better than to believe that appearances always reflected reality.

I wasn’t doing this for myself.

I was doing this for the safety of the most important person in my life.

The world could never find out about her. Not the media, not my business partners, and certainly not Gideon Valeriano.

If I was already keeping my own father away from my daughter, then I would be even more determined to keep her away from a man like Gideon.

I couldn’t allow him to discover that she existed. I knew exactly what kind of man he was, and the thought of him finding out about her made my stomach twist.

I had spent six years building a life where I could finally breathe without constantly looking over my shoulder. Six years of working hard, making decisions, and proving that I could survive without depending on anyone.

I wasn’t going to let him destroy that.

I returned to my desk, picked up the next document, and forced myself to focus on work. There were still meetings to attend, contracts to review, and a company to run. I couldn’t afford to let my personal problems interfere with everything I had worked so hard to build.

All I could do now was wait.

I hoped my bold counterproposal would be enough to make the Valerianos back down and leave us alone.

Because if Gideon Valeriano insisted on entering my life again, I was prepared to fight him with everything I had.