All Chapters of In the Name of Ambition: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Pietra Hearing my rejection, the disappointment on Andressa’s face was immediate, and it hit me hard. “Why can’t we go, Pietra?” Andressa asked, her sad eyes fixed on me.Her expression, and the question that followed, made it clear she felt I was taking away a rare opportunity from her. And in a way, I was. It wasn’t just about Anton’s invitation; it was about something much bigger. I knew opportunities like this—a morning at a wealthy family’s house, with a pool and no worries—were rare. And with Andressa’s surgery approaching, who knew when she’d get another chance to experience something like this? Recovery would be long, and even simple activities like swim

PietraThe Sunday at the Baumann house was turning out to be a completely different experience from anything I could have imagined. Anton’s grandparents, Berenice and Leonel, had surprised me from the start. They were kind, and welcoming, and treated both me and my siblings as if we had always been part of the family, without any distinction. It was something I hadn’t expected. I grew up attending expensive private schools on scholarships, surrounded by the elite. I knew all too well how snobbish and cruel these people could be. I had suffered quite a bit from prejudice over the years, but I learned to deal with it because I never expected anything different. I was prepared for disdain and condescension, but what I found at the Baumanns' house was the opposite. For years, I had formed a mental image of Berenice and Leonel, and they were completely shattering those impressions.After lunch, around one in the afternoon, I was surprised by the appearance of Anneliese. She was known to b

AntonI sat down next to Pietra and held her hand tightly. She tried to pull away at first, perhaps to avoid any gesture of comfort, but I didn't let go. I felt terrible. In the last few hours, all the pieces had started to fall into place, and the guilt hit me hard. I remembered the day I found out that Pietra was working as a luxury escort. At the time, I had been petty and superficial, making judgments that I was now ashamed of. I never imagined that she was facing something as serious as her sister's surgery. I had no idea how serious the situation was.I looked at Anneliese, who was standing a little further away, watching everything in silence. She was the one who had opened my eyes earlier. She had gone to the Baumann Industries headquarters, demanding to know why I wasn't by Pietra's side at such a crucial moment.

PietraDespite the doctor’s words that the surgery was a success, four days after the procedure, Andressa still hadn’t woken up, and I was on the edge of collapse. With each passing minute, the anguish consumed me more. Anton was trying to stay by my side, offering support, his face reflecting the same worry I felt, even when I pushed him to return to his life and work. He barely knew Andressa, having seen my sister only twice, but his care was genuine. I felt grateful that he and Anneliese were trying to be a part of this, supporting me. Mirella was also by my side whenever she could, and that gave me some strength, even though, inside, I was falling apart.On Friday, after another exhausting day at the hospital, I felt like a rag. I had visited Andressa in the ICU, but nothing seemed to change, and the helplessness was eating me alive. I was exhausted, physically and emotionally. When Anton showed up at the hospital, ready to take me home after work, the last thing I had was the en

AaronThe morning at the office followed its usual course as I tried to focus on an important report, but my mind kept wandering to troubling thoughts. The weight of lies and expectations was becoming unbearable.Suddenly, I heard a growing murmur, followed by firm footsteps approaching. I looked up and saw Leonel, my grandfather, standing in the doorway. A wave of tension washed over me. He never personally visited anyone's office; it was always people who went to his office—referred to in the halls as the "emperor's room."“Aaron, we need to talk,” he said, stepping in and closing the door behind him.His voice, though firm, carried a tone of seriousness that heightened my alertness.“Of course, Grandpa. Please, have a se