Masuk
Chapter 19. Rita's pov I heard the door open.I didn’t turn around. Because I already knew who it was. I didn’t rush to react.I just let the silence go on.. enough to make his presence feel… pointless.“You’ve become hard to reach.”His voice. Calm. Measured. Like he hadn’t broken anything.I slowly closed the file in front of me before looking not at him but at my reflection in the glass wall.“You shouldn’t be here.”You shouldn't be barging into my office without knocking.“I knocked.”“And I didn’t answer.” That’s when I turned around.Victor stood a step inside my office completely at ease like he owned the place. Like this was another room he could walk into and take control of.That version of me is gone. “What do you want?" I asked, my tone flat.“Clarity.” I almost smiled.“Try a lawyer " I said, picking up my pen again like he was already dismissed. "That’s what they’re for.”“I’m not here for stuff.”“No?" I looked up at him now, meeting his eyes fully. "Then you’re defi
Chapter 18: Rita's Pov.The lawyers office smells like wood and old money. This makes sense. Everything about coming here feels like I am stepping into a past that I had sworn never to touch again.I stand by the window with my arms folded staring at the skyline that I once called home. The skyline looks the same. Cold, distant and unforgiving. This is like the man who ruined my life Victor.The lawyer says, "Miss. Rita, the documents are ready." I turn slightly. Nod at the elderly lawyer seated behind the desk. My grandmother's will is open before him. It is neat, and official.The lawyer continues, "This confirms the transfer of ownership once you sign. However there is a clause that requires a witness from the representative assigned to your case, Rita." My fingers tighten slightly at my sides because I know what this means. I already know who the witness is.I say, "I am aware." I do not need the lawyer to say Victor's name. I already know that Victor is the one who will be witne
Chapter 17:Rita’s POVI need to avoid him. That is my plan.It is simple and clear and necessary. It is also impossible.I spent the morning doing my job making sure I did not see him. I changed my meetings. Made my conversations shorter and I left the rooms before he could come in.I thought about everything I did. I was careful. I am not scared of him. I do not want to say that I am.There is something about Victor that makes me feel like I am not in control. That is something I do not like. I have worked hard to be in control of my life.I do not want anything to change that. My assistant came to my office.“Miss. Rita, the board is waiting for you " she said.“I will be there in five minutes, " I said. I did not look up from my tablet. My voice was calm and professional.That is how I wanted it to be. My assistant waited for a second then she. Left.I let out a breath when the door closed. I had five minutes to get ready. I had five minutes to make sure I did not react when I saw
Chapter 16: Victor's POVSomething felt off.I had this feeling in the back of my mind for days. At first it was easy to ignore.. Tonight it wouldn't go away.It kept pushing. Getting sharper. I had to think about it. I sat back in my chair. Tapped my fingers on my desk. I stared out the window at the city lights.Rita. Just thinking about her felt... Weird now."Shes hiding something " I said to myself.I knew it. I just didn't know what. Then I heard a knock. The door opened."Sir?" someone said. I didn't turn around. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "What is it Daniel?"Daniel came in with some files. "The files you requested sir." I looked at them for a second. They were Rita's records.Her work history. Travel logs. Business connections. Everything looked clean.Too clean. I let out a breath. "Leave it."Daniel hesitated. "Do you need anything "I thought for a moment."If someone disappears for five years what do you expect to find?" I asked. There was silence.
Chapter 15 Rita's pov."Are you certain about this?" Ethan asked me. His voice was really low and calm.. I could tell he was tense.I did not look at him. My eyes were fixed on the papers in front of me. I had not read a word in the last five minutes."I do not do things halfway " I said to him."That is not what I asked you, " he said, pressing me for an answer.I let out a breath and put the pen down. "Then ask what you really want to know."Ethan leaned forward a little, his eyes sharp. "Are you ready for what this will bring?"Victor. The past. Everything I had buried.I froze. "I do not have the luxury of not being ready." I said. The door opened before Ethan could say anything "Mr. Hayes, they are ready for you " his assistant said.Ethan looked at me for a long time like he wanted to say more. Then he stood up."We will talk later." I gave a nod, already pulling back into myself. Because conversations like that one require honesty. Honesty is dangerous.The moment the door sh
Chapter 14 Rita’s pov "You are moving too fast." Ethan said. His voice cut through the tension in the conference room.I did not look up from the documents in front of me. I said calmly, "No, I am moving exactly as I should."There was silence. I could feel Ethan's eyes on me studying me, questioning me. "You have only been back a few days Rita.. You have already started shaking things up. The board is unsettled." Ethan said.I replied simply "Good." Because when people are unsettled they make mistakes.. I needed them to make mistakes.Ethan exhaled, leaning back slightly. "Vale Group is watching, " he said.My pen paused for a second. Victor..Of course Victor was watching.I closed the file. Finally looked at Ethan. "Let them watch, " I said.His gaze sharpened. "Your confidence is new, " he said. I corrected him quietly "It is not new. It is learned." I learned it that way.The meeting ended. But The weight in my chest did not go away. It followed me down the hallway into the







