Mag-log inI could see Alex's expression froze in absolute shock.
As a knee-jerk reflex, he whipped his head around, staring deep into the lobby where he had abandoned Zeena, left to be devoured by the swarming press like meat thrown to wolves.
I smirked at his transparent reaction.
Zoya suddenly sat up straighter. Curiosity filled her mind. Shane’s identity as Mr. SS was already enough to shake an entire country’s stock market.How could there possibly be another secret even bigger and more interesting than that?“What other secret?” she asked, looking straight into his eyes. “Don’t make me guess.”Shane let out a long breath. His handsome face suddenly turned very serious. The playful look that had been there earlier completely disappeared.He took both of Zoya’s hands and held them tightly, as if giving her strength before dropping the next bombshell.“Before I tell you, I want to apologize,” he said in a low, calm voice. “I’ve been holding onto this secret for quite a while because I was waiting for the right moment.”Zoya frowned, her chest tightening with anxiety. “Just say it. What else have you been hiding?”Shane stared at his girlfriend without blinking. “The baby Zeena is carrying, isn’t Alex’s.”Zoya froze. Her eyes widened as she studied her boyfrien
"Stay at my penthouse. We need some time alone to catch up and unwind away from anyone's interference."Zoya looked into Shane's eyes, which burned with absolute sincerity.After a day battered by emotional storms, Alex's sickening betrayal, and their argument out on the street earlier, Shane's offer felt like an oasis she desperately needed.The woman's defensive walls slowly softened."Alright," she murmured softly, giving a nod. "But don't you dare vanish on me again!"Shane chuckled lightly, bringing Zoya's fingers to his lips to plant a warm kiss there. "I promise."The man pressed down on the accelerator once more, steering his black sports car tearing through the capital's streets toward the city center's most exclusive commercial building.It didn't take long for the luxury vehicle to glide smoothly into the private parking area reserved for VIP residents.The elevator whisked them straight up to the top floor of the building, a magnificent penthouse designed in a modern-minim
Shane frowned, his eyes widening slightly as he stared at Zoya when their car came to a halt beneath a red traffic light. "What do you mean?""Don't act like you don't understand," the woman sneered, her tone biting and entirely direct."My marriage to Alex is officially in ruins. Sterling Group's name has been ground into the dirt before the public eye. Wasn't that your ultimate target when you approached me?""Zoya!" Shane cut in, his jaw tightening. "What kind of accusation is that?!""A completely logical one!" Zoya fired back, raising her voice as the emotions she had suppressed for two days finally detonated."You were always right by my side while I was busy gathering evidence and fighting with Alex! You stepped up like a valiant hero!Yet the moment the press conference concluded, after Alex's absolute destruction and my official status as a widow, you suddenly vanished without a trace!"Zoya narrowed her eyes, jabbing her finger at Shane's chest."Which man suddenly gets busy
Mia, seated in the driver's seat, glanced at Shane through the rearview mirror with hesitation, yet she dared not disobey her boss's command.The black sedan sped away rapidly, leaving the main lobby portico behind.Shane stood frozen for a moment, his fists clenched at his sides. The man knew perfectly well that something was deeply amiss with the attitude of the woman he loved.“Why is she suddenly angry with me? Is it because I haven't been keeping in touch?”Without a second thought, Shane spun on his heel and jogged back toward his sports car.The roar of Shane's sports car engine echoed through the outer parking lot.The man immediately gunned his vehicle at high speed, giving chase to Zoya's sedan as it merged onto Jakarta's main highway.Traffic that afternoon was quite heavy. Yet Shane navigated his vehicle with exceptional agility, weaving past several cars to glue himself tightly to the rear of Zoya's vehicle.In the back cabin of her sedan, Zoya glanced at the side mirror.
At the top floor of Apex Capital's tower, the glow of dozens of monitor screens reflected across the massive glass windows overlooking the glittering downtown skyline.The atmosphere within the private office was deathly quiet, broken only by the soft, rhythmic tapping of fingers against a mechanical keyboard.Shane stood tall before the main monitor, his back turned to the heavily secured door.His suit was immaculately fitted. A crystal glass filled with a clear liquid rested in his left hand.On the giant screen before him, Sterling Group's stock price chart was in the midst of a dramatic, sheer freefall.The crimson line continued to crater hour by hour, spreading overwhelming panic across the stock exchange.His primary secretary, a gray-suited man in wire-rimmed glasses, stepped closer to Shane's desk holding a digital tablet."Sir, this hour's stock market movements are entirely in line with our projections," the secretary reported in a low, unwavering tone."The massive sell-o
Zoya smoothed the collar of her gown, responding to the financial report with cool, calculated precision."Filter every existing staff member there," she instructed firmly."Conduct strict background checks and performance audits. Retain the professionals, those with integrity who can genuinely be trusted, and transfer them to Alexandra Corp's subsidiaries."Zoya leaned forward, adding heavy emphasis to her words."As for any staff proven to have played both sides with Alex, acted as accomplices to his deceit, or proven untrustworthy," Zoya continued coldly. “Terminate them immediately with standard legal severance. I will never risk smuggling a snake into my own company.""Instructions noted clearly, Mrs. Zoya," Marcus replied, tapping the bullet points into his laptop.Marcus then lifted his head, locking eyes with Zoya, his expression fraught with curiosity and profound surprise."There is one more crucial matter we received just minutes before this meeting commenced, Mrs. Zoya,"







