LOGINAt exactly twelve noon, Ellena was still in her office, eyes slightly tired as she listened to Paul explain the documents stacked before her. He stood beside her desk, his tone calm but firm, analyzing each proposal with practiced clarity.“This one can pass directly,” Paul said, tapping a page with his pen. “It’s a renewal of a previous contract. Nothing has changed.”He flipped to the next. “This one is feasible but needs negotiation. The supplier raised their quote by eight percent. We can bring it down.”Another file. “This one, we should call back immediately. It’s reckless.”Ellena leaned her elbow on the desk, supporting her temple. She was listening, absorbing what she could, though her body ached with fatigue. She hadn’t had a proper meal all day. There was just too much to do, too much to process.After a moment of silence, she spoke up, almost absentmindedly. “Paul,
Paul was startled by Ellena’s words.He looked at her with a complicated expression. There was a flicker of surprise, then understanding, then something else. It was filled with respect, perhaps, or regret.“When Mr. Arnoult was still around,” Paul said quietly, “I once asked him this question too, about whether you could sell the company if it ever came to you. He told me... it was up to you.”Ellena turned her face slightly, brows raised in genuine surprise. She could not see her expression, but she could feel the disbelief, the faint irony curling at the edges of her mouth.She stared down at the documents, silent for a moment. Then she sneered, not at Paul but at the strange foresight Edward had always possessed. “He really did think of everything, didn’t he?”Paul didn’t answer. Instead, he glanced at his watch and smoothly changed the subject. “The meeting is about to start.”
The next morning, Ellena dressed in a crisp black suit and tied her hair into a low, elegant bun. Her face looked calm, composed but her heart was heavier than she let on.This was her first official visit to the Arnoult Group after the news of her takeover had gone public.Though she had been connected to the company in name through Edward for years, this was the first time she walked into its halls with true authority. With a title. With power. And with pressure.Paul arrived at her house right on time to escort her to the office.The moment the black car pulled into the underground parking lot, employees began to take notice. And when Ellena stepped out in heels, sharp lines, and an unreadable expression, their murmurs followed her like a low, curious wave.Some watched with blatant curiosity.Some with restrained skepticism.And some with open disdain.After all, in their eyes, Ellena had never truly belonged to this world of n
Ellena chuckled lightly, the corners of her lips curling up with a cool grace. “Previously, Madeline had been frantically looking for Naomi. I guess they’ve finally found her.”“Sure enough, I knew you’d guess it!” Chloe’s eyes lit up as she clapped her hands in excitement. “I had the same feeling too. I mean, who else would make the Smiths go in and out of a hospital so often? It's not like they’re known for compassion.”“I know the Smith family well enough,” she continued. “They don’t care about people without a reason. The only ones they’d be so cautious about are either deeply tied to them… or Naomi herself.”Ellena’s expression darkened slightly as memories she would rather forget came rushing back. She had long seen through the veneer the Smiths used to disguise their hypocrisy. Their affection was always transactional, calculated.“The
Ellena's refusal didn’t end the reporter’s line of questioning. Instead, the man pressed forward boldly, as if emboldened by the silence that followed.“I think this is still related to the Arnoult Group, Miss Smith,” he insisted, voice rising slightly. “Now that the group is under your control, we just want to understand the reasons behind the transfer. Don’t the public and shareholders deserve to know?”A few gasps and murmurs followed among the crowd of reporters.Ellena’s expression didn’t waver. Her tone remained composed, but colder this time. “That is a personal matter,” she replied crisply. “Forgive me for not answering you.”The reporter opened his mouth again, but before he could utter another word, Paul stepped forward. With a subtle nod, he signaled to the staff on standby. Within moments, two security personnel made their way over and led the persistent reporter out of the room.This wasn’t an ordinary company. It was the Arnoult Group. Even with Edward’s disappearance, t
Paul took the neatly folded newspaper from his side and handed it to Ellena with a solemn expression. The headline was bold and striking, unmistakably referring to the Arnoult Group and Edward’s disappearance.Ellena accepted it calmly, her eyes sweeping across the front page only for a brief second before she folded it again and placed it aside on the coffee table. “I’ve already read it online,” she said with detached poise.In truth, she hadn’t read every word. She didn’t need to. All the headlines said the same thing, about the accident, the disappearance, the missing CEO. She didn’t need words to feel the chaos boiling just under the surface of her carefully constructed calm. She was already living it.Paul remained quiet for a moment, perhaps surprised by her nonchalance. But Ellena had always been strong in her own way. After a moment, he said, “We might hold a press conference next.”Ellena nodd
Arthurnoticed the surprise in Alyssa's eyes when she saw him.He nodded slightlyand said,"Miss Moore."Arthurwas wearing a well-ironed suit and carrying a briefcase. He looked very serious."Mr. Arthur." Alyssanodded as a greeting and then said,&
Alyssa was ordering a meal. She only looked up at Hazel and said what she wanted to order.After hanging up the phone, she asked Hazel, "What's wrong? What happened?"Hazel held her phone with a strange expression.She turned to look at Angela.Angela was already sleep
The air-conditioners in the airport made the indoor temperature very cool. Edward was dressed in black, and he looked cold and lonely.Martin walked towards him.When he arrived in front of Edward, he tilted his head and met Edward's eyes. He raised his eyebrows and asked in surprise, "Why are you
"Wait a minute!"Lorenzo became anxious when he saw Ellena was really leaving.He immediately stood up and stopped Ellena. "I know that you have already cut off ties with the Smith family. Although you have given birth to a daughter for Edward, he will not care about your matters. Regardless of whet







