LOGINThe smell of sweet Jasmin and wet moss filled the warm air in the room. Anika sat at the small wooden table, her hands wrapped around a the fresh mug of tea. For the first time in days, her shoulders relaxed, “thanks to you, I feel more at ease.”“Pleasure doing business with you, ma'am.” Christopher teased, flashing her a warm smile. He sat directly opposite her, his tie completely loosened. He watched her over the rim of his cup, his dark eyes fixed entirely on her face."I'm glad you're telling me this," Christopher said softly, a relaxed smile touching his lips. He looked incredibly happy that she was finally opening up, letting her guard down to share personal things with him instead of hiding behind her cold mask. "You've been carrying everything alone for too long."Anika took a slow sip, her gaze dropping to the table. "Shawn is changing, Christopher. The power shift is getting messy. Can you believe that he's doing their bidding now? He doesn't listen to me anymore. I need to
Arthur stepped closer to the sofa, his chest heaving as he stared down at Desiree. "I regret ever trusting you. I should have never partnered with your failing family. We need millions to pay back the default penalty just to stop the foreclosure, and we don't even have the full money to pay them back! Where is the advance capital Delacroix sent for the transport setup?"Desiree raised her head up, her eyes flashing with a sharp, desperate defensiveness. She stood up to face him. "I had to protect our image, Arthur! I spent it on my fiftieth birthday party preparation! The catering deposits, the venue, the elite guest list—if we look broke to high society, the foundation collapses anyway!""You spent corporate advance money on a party?!" Arthur barked, his face turning dark. "Are you insane?""It's not like that, uncle. It's just a little price to pay for something big." Tori chimed in loudly, stepping forward to defend her mother. "We had to look the part! We used our shares of the ca
The living room of the Gold mansion felt small, hot, and suffocating. The air was thick with panic, but Anna sat perfectly still on the single armchair, her posture calm and her eyes cold. They might not even have known she was there as she sat through their chaos. She didn't utter a single word. She just watched the room fall apart around her. Better to enjoy the ride before they—“Oh shut the hell up!” Was Tori's loud voice nearly startling Anna. Everyone around blinked in shock too.Tori was pacing back and forth, her cheeks flushing red as her breathing ragged. She stopped right in front of Lark, pointing a shaking finger directly at his nose."You are such a loser, Lark!" Tori screamed, her voice cracking with pure rage. "Why did you ever take up that stupid Delacroix deal? You didn't even read the fine print! You're a complete failure!"Lark jumped out of his seat, his jaw tight as he slammed his hand down on the armrest. He didn't care about his composure right now or cool mann
The office door clicked shut behind Anika, but she barely heard it. Her mind was already moving past Shawn’s nervous face. Christopher was waiting for her at the end of the private executive corridor, leaning against the wide glass window. He looked up the moment her heels hit the carpet, his dark eyes instantly tracking the tight line of her shoulders.“You look very beautiful, Anika. Not stressed at all.” Christopher smiled as he watched her sink into the chair. He knew she was facing her own lot, and wanted to help. “Yea thanks for noticing, Christopher.” She said, sarcasm hinting in her tone. Letting out a heavy breath, Anika pulled herself to sit upright to take the freshly made tea and snacks Christopher had provided for her. "Shawn confirmed it?" Christopher asked, his deep voice dropping low as he sat next to her.Anika let out a slow, sharp breath, again, her fingers tightening around the logistics folder with her. "He didn't have to. The automated port registry already f
Shawn looked down at the paper, then leaned back, his expression simply blank. He tried to act nice, lowering his voice into a warning tone. "That position was never dormant, Anika. And honestly? I think I did you a favor."Anika's eyes narrowed. "A favor?"Slowly, he leaned forward, his eyes not leaving hers. "The Shalls are getting too invested in your company," Shawn warned, tapping his finger on the desk. "First, Christopher steps down from his father's hospital to take over Vanguard and sit in our executive meetings. Now, his younger sister is trying to squeeze her way into the lower supply chain desks right next to you?”He scoffed out a laughter, shaking his head. “They are a monopoly, Anika. If they get their fingers too deep into Delacroix, they will swallow your inheritance before you even launch the skincare line."BANG!Anika slammed her fist down onto the desk so hard Shawn’s coffee cup spilled over the edge."Have you forgotten your place so sudden, Shawn?!" Anika shoute
The thumping rage in her chest made her breathing shallow. She pushed the heavy glass doors of the top floor open and marched right for Shawn’s private office, barging in. “Shawn I-” quickly, she stopped herself wishing the floor would open up and swallow her. Shoot! Did they hear her? The room was filled with senior directors from the legal department. They gathered around leaning over his desk, pointing at a stack of compliance folders. Everyone stopped and looked up to face her. Shawn's face turned pale the moment he saw Anika standing there with dark, icy eyes."Assistant Anika," Shawn said, his voice quickly tightening into his formal Chairman tone. "We are in the middle of a high-priority risk assessment. It’s going to take some time."“Of course sir. I'm so sorry, the receptionist led me in. I didn't think you were in a meeting.”“Such rude brat. And you can't even knock!” A man spat out. Anika recognized him at once. Doctor Santiago: the board's most respected representativ
Anika quickly made payment for her medicine, and on her way out, threw two pills in her mouth. She was on her way to the hospital. Heaving in a deep sigh as she arrived at the entrance, she told herself to be strong. She would call Lark again and try to...try to what? Well! She would figure someth
Anika's chest was rising and falling from fear. Why did Tori have to see her? This was so humiliating!"Uh...Tori, I-" She tried to speak but the right words just wouldn't form. "How dare you! Thief!" Before Anika could say another word, Tori jumped up on her, pulling her hair so tight that strand
Immediately, everyone began to laugh out loud. Anika was too stunned to even understand the situation. How could she be this humiliated like this?Anna grabbed her purse, "I'm gonna head out. Bye, friend." Then ran away. They laughed and kept chatting as if Desiree had not just bullied her. Anika
No one might had known Anika had cried all night. She always raised her head up high and smiled through it all. "You're basically Cinderella at this point," Anika's friend Anna said to her. Anika had just finished the laundry. "Exactly. Because I'm married to my prince charming," she smiled, thro







