Chapter 5

“Sir! The main investor from our European branch just pulled out!”

Rafael’s assistant almost shouted as he burst into the chaotic office.

Rafael shot him a sharp look from behind the desk, his face pale from sleepless nights. “What did you just say?”

“The association terminated the contract unilaterally, sir. They said our company’s reputation has dropped since the news of Miss Alyssa’s marriage to Mr. Ethan spread across the media.”

The assistant’s voice trembled as he lowered his head.

BANG!

Rafael slammed his fist onto the desk, sending a pen flying across the room. “They’re backing out because of media gossip?! This is business, not a love drama!”

But deep down, Rafael knew — it wasn’t just the company’s reputation that had fallen.

Everyone was leaving because they all knew the truth: he was no longer the man in power.

---

Meanwhile, in the towering headquarters of Ethan Group, the massive screen in the boardroom displayed a sharply rising graph.

Alyssa sat beside Ethan, dressed in an elegant white suit, calm and composed, a digital pointer in her hand.

“The merger strategy with the Asian subsidiary succeeded,” she said confidently. “But our next step is expansion into the energy sector. We need to take it before Rafael does.”

Ethan looked at her with pride. “You sound like a true leader now.”

Alyssa’s lips curved slightly. “I learned from the wrong person. Now I want to do it the right way.”

The meeting ended successfully. The directors filed out, leaving only the two of them in the quiet room.

Ethan turned toward her, his tone soft. “You know… every time I see you like this, standing so strong, I realize more and more — you don’t need anyone to shine.”

Alyssa smiled faintly. “Maybe. But this time, I don’t mind sharing the light with someone.”

Ethan chuckled quietly, his gaze warm. “You know, Rafael must be regretting letting you go.”

Alyssa looked out through the tall glass window at the golden city skyline. “He didn’t lose me, Ethan. He lost himself. Because when he lost me… he lost the only person who ever truly cared.”

---

At Rafael’s office…

Papers littered the floor, files stacked messily across his desk. Rafael paced back and forth, his breathing heavy.

“Maya! Where’s Maya?!” his voice thundered through the room.

Maya appeared at the doorway, anxious. “I’m here, darling. What’s wrong now?”

“What’s wrong? Everyone’s leaving me!” Rafael shouted, pointing at his laptop screen — where a bold headline flashed across a major business site:

> ‘Ethan Group and Alyssa Holdings Launch International Energy Project — Surpassing Rafael Corporation!’

Maya’s eyes widened. “That’s… the project you planned last month!”

“Yes! And somehow they got the full blueprint!” Rafael slammed the desk again. “Someone leaked it!”

Maya froze, her fingers twisting nervously. Rafael’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Don’t tell me… it was you.”

Maya flinched. “What? Me? Rafael, that’s insane! Why would I—”

“Because I saw you with that man at the hotel last week!” Rafael cut her off harshly.

“Maya, do you think I’m blind?”

Maya stiffened, her face tightening. “I was just talking business—”

“Business?!” Rafael roared. “Don’t take me for a fool! Now everyone’s laughing at me because you couldn’t keep your mouth shut!”

Tears welled up in Maya’s eyes. “You never change, Rafael… always blaming everyone but yourself. Maybe if you hadn’t spent your life destroying others, yours wouldn’t be falling apart right now!”

Rafael’s hand almost struck her — but he stopped himself at the last second.

Maya stepped back, trembling.

“Get out,” Rafael said coldly, his voice low and dangerous. “Before I really lose control.”

Maya turned away, tears spilling down her cheeks as she left the room — leaving him alone in the suffocating silence.

Rafael sank into his chair, staring blankly at the news photo of Alyssa and Ethan smiling for the cameras.

His eyes reddened, his voice hoarse as he muttered under his breath,

“You think you’ve won, Alyssa? You think you can live happily without me?”