Jenna sat in her office, sipping a light tea as she glanced at the packages. The large boxes were wrapped in elegant black matte, adorned with familiar golden logos."These look fancy," Stella muttered, already kneeling to inspect one of the bags. Her eyes widened. "Is this… is this the stuff you picked up at the boutique?"Jenna raised a brow. "Looks like it."Stella pulled out a shimmering silver gown and gasped. "So Elena actually bought them?"Jenna shook her head slowly, brows furrowed in thought. "No. She said she would… but these shouldn't be here."Luke entered just in time, holding a tablet. "Ms. Jenna, the store manager, personally delivered these. They were paid for—by Mr. Rex Hidalgo."Jenna's face darkened instantly. The once light atmosphere turned heavy. She set her cup down with a quiet thud."Return it," she said flatly.Luke blinked. "Ma'am?""Send it back to Rex," she repeated. "If this is about the pipe, tell him I don't need his charity. I never did."Stella tilte
At the towering glass headquarters of Hidalgo Corporation, the atmosphere in the executive boardroom was tense. Rex sat at the head of the long table, a sharp charcoal suit hugging his frame, exuding silent authority. A senior manager was mid-presentation when Rex's phone buzzed.He glanced at the caller ID and frowned."Elena," he muttered, excusing himself abruptly and walking out without a word.In his private office, he answered the call. The moment Elena's trembling voice poured through the line, his expression darkened. She rambled about a misunderstanding at a boutique, about clothes Jenna had chosen, about a massive bill...Rex's jaw tightened. "How much?""$6.8 million!" Elena wailed. "But it was Jenna's fault! She made me look like a fool!"When she added that the clothes were "given" to her by Jenna, Rex's eyes narrowed. He didn't believe that for a second.There was always a reason with Jenna.After the call ended, Rex stood frozen. His aura turned cold, and his eyes lost
Alice was dumbfounded.Her practiced smile, perfected in front of mirrors and gossip columns, gradually stiffened. The corners of her lips twitched awkwardly, then collapsed completely as Jenna’s cold stare bore into her like a spotlight. Jenna’s lips curled into a victorious smirk, clearly savoring the moment.Stella let out a low chuckle. “You two should really get lost. You’re not just thick-skinned freeloaders—you’re embarrassing yourselves in front of an entire staff trained to pamper us, not the peanut gallery.”The boutique manager nervously stepped in, watching the tension spike like a crashing stock market. She had worked hard to get this partnership with Jenna and couldn’t risk losing such a high-profile VVIP.“Miss Hidalgo,” she said with forced calm, “we truly value your presence, but I must ask again—could you please wait downstairs? This suite was reserved in advance.”Elena, still fuming, crossed her arms and snapped, “I already said—I’ll buy everything she picked out.
Downstairs at the luxury boutique, Elena Hidalgo stood near the store's main entrance, tapping her stiletto heel against the glossy marble floor. Alice stood a step behind her, lips curled in mild amusement as she watched the staff scramble over a minor detail."Excuse me?" Elena barked at the employee who tried to block her from accessing the upper floor. "Did I just hear you right? You're saying I can't go upstairs?"The young staff member bowed slightly. "I apologize, Miss Hidalgo, but the second floor is off-limits. A VVIP guest is shopping at the moment. We've opened the entire first floor for your convenience."Elena's brows arched so high they nearly disappeared into her hairline. "VVIP? Do you even know who I am? I'm Elena Hidalgo of the Hidalgo family! You dare stop me from going where I please?"Despite Elena's fury, the staff member remained composed. "We understand your status, Miss Hidalgo. However, our instructions are clear. The second floor is reserved for the VVIP gue
The grand dining hall of the Anderson Mansion echoed with laughter and the gentle clinking of silverware. It had been years since the house felt so alive. Jenna, Gino, Kelvin, and their father, Marcus, sat at the head of a long table adorned with exquisite dishes and vintage wine.Marcus beamed with pride. “Having you all here tonight… reminds me of the old days. But it feels even better now. You’ve all grown into such fine individuals.”Kelvin raised his glass. “To family… and Jenna, who still knows how to put on a show like no other.”Jenna laughed, her cheeks flushed from wine and the warmth of being surrounded by the people she loved.After dinner, they moved to the lounge. Already tipsy and giggly, Jenna grabbed one of Gino’s six pieces of luggage and began pulling out designer bags, perfumes, shoes, and accessories.“I feel like it’s my birthday,” she said as she laid everything out on the grand velvet couch.Gino handed a few bags to Kelvin. “There. I was feeling generous.”Kel
Rex stared out the floor-to-ceiling window of his penthouse, the city lights below dim in comparison to the raging storm of emotions inside him. His fingers curled into fists as he recalled the image that haunted him—the way Jenna let Chris hold her hand, the tenderness between them. That look she gave him, sharp and cold, as if he were nothing more than a stranger, maybe less than that. Dirt on the soles of her shoes.He had hurt her. He knew it. He just didn’t expect it to hurt this damn much in return.The phone vibrated beside him. Mike’s name flashed on screen. He answered."Sir, more updates," Mike said, his tone a mix of nervousness and urgency. "Emely's scandal didn’t just go viral. Anderson Empire has issued a public statement—she’s been permanently removed."Rex’s brows lifted. “What about Skilinzie?”"Under investigation. Turns out, he’s not even a big shareholder anymore. Sold most of his shares months ago. We’re still tracking down who bought them. If it falls into the wr