FIFTY-ONE

Elise's POV

I stormed into the office building like a hurricane, my heart racing from the confrontation with Lauren. Her words echoed in my mind—sharp, biting, relentless.

I was tired of being pushed around, tired of being constantly humiliated by all of them, and If I had to go the Kiera route, so be it. I wasn’t scared of their power and connections. I was married to their son, one of the most influential men in the city. I had just as much power as they did.

Arriving at BYRON Corporations, I made a beeline for Miguel’s office, my resolve steeling with each step.

As I approached his door, Tania, his secretary, blocked my path, her tight smile as fake as a three-dollar bill, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Hernandez, but Mr. Miguel is in a meeting,” she announced, her tone saccharine.

I couldn’t give two f*cks about him or any stupid meeting, “Let me in,” I insisted, my voice rising like the tide, urgency lacing my words.

Just as she was about to respond, I brushed past her, ignoring her startled