Chapter 142: A Calculated RiskBack at the Antonio's Group the next day, Miguel leaned back in his chair, still reeling over the tense café meeting he had with Amanda. Ximena paced restlessly across the room, arms crossed tightly over her chest. "I still don't trust her," she said, her voice a bit shrill. "She just comes out of nowhere, asking for a job, and suddenly she has all the answers? It doesn't sit right with me."Miguel nodded. His fingers drummed against the desk. "I understand. But Amanda's information corresponds too well with what we already know about Vega's financial moves. If she's lying, it's a damned calculated lie." Ximena stopped pacing, swinging to face him. "And if she's not lying? What's to stop Vega from retaliating the minute we act on her intel?"Miguel took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. "Nothing. Yet, if we don't do anything, Vega wins by default. We've come too far to turn back now." Ximena shook her head. For a moment, frustration flas
Chapter 143: A Dangerous PropositionXimena had barely settled into her chair when the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor drew her attention. She looked up to find Tania sauntering into the office, swaggering with confidence around her like a shield. Miguel glanced from Ximena to Tania, an eyebrow furrowing in silent question as to what was bringing her this time. "Good morning," Tania said, a breezy light, through her eyes darted between them, shining with a glint of determination."What do you want, Tania?" Ximena asked icily, leaning back in her chair, arms crossed. Tania smiled slightly, undaunted by Ximena's overt hostility. "Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble. As a matter of fact, I think you'll want to hear what I have to say." Miguel straightened, already wary. "We're listening."Tania leaned in closer, lowering her voice as if the walls could hear her. "I can help you take down Vega." Ximena allowed a bitter laugh to escape from her lips and shook her he
"Miguel, I'm happy for this moment..."Ximena wrapped her arms around his neck as she cooed lovingly, mixed with the gasp due to the finished 'strenuous action',Just Before she could mutter "I love you", the man murmured in a hoarse voice."Tan..."Ximena froze.Tan was Tania Roberto, the first love of Miguel Ricardo. Tania hasn't returned to the country, she had stayed abroad all these years.But, Just yesterday, she arrived back in Mexico.Moreover, she had sent Ximena several provocative text messages. She wasn't yet over her Ex."Ximena, I'm back! You have to vacate from the Ricardo family! I'm back to take back what rightfully belongs to me.""Miguel and I are childhood sweethearts. Did you think you could replace me in just a few years? Get out! Get back to the Streets where you're likely to belong. You're doomed to remain in the streets forever.""You have no idea the amount of love Miguel has for me, or do you? Even if you share the same bed with him, he will only think of me
She turned around and walked out decisively.Miguel stared at her fading figure for a long time deep in his thoughts.Ximena used to be obedient and gentle when she was around me. But today, she seemed to take a tough stance."Did I do her an injustice?'"But, if it isn't her who drugged me, who else could it be?" Miguel thought in confusion.The two Duos arrived at the court that morning.Ximena wore a plain old-fashioned shirt, and Miguel had on a high-end black tuxedo suit. It may look strange when standing together but, They attracted the attention of many passers-by.Ximena didn't care about the looks. She just could not wait to end their relationship.In less than ten minutes, the depressing marriage finally came to an end.At the sight of the divorce certificate in her hand, Ximena was in a trance for a moment. She felt sad and happy at the same time."Behave yourself from now on." His cold voice rang out disrupting her thought.When Ximena looked up again, the man had already
Just a few minutes ago, she was so poor that she only had five dollars, not even enough for hailing a taxi.If her mother-in-law who hated the low-class families and never had any likeness towards Ximena suddenly finds out Ximena Was Ximena Antonio, the youngest daughter of the Antonio family, the richest family in the country, that she was a super-rich woman with a net worth of billions of dollars, how surprised would she possibly be?She remembered before she had regained her memory, her good friend in the orphanage was almost dying. She knelt, begging her mother-in-law, Evelyn Ricardo, to lend her some money.Evelyn proudly took out a platinum card but did not hand it to her. Instead, she showed off with it. "Guess how much money is in it? 500,000 dollars. You have never seen so much money in your life or have you?" She had said mockingly."But, I'd rather use it to buy something insignificant than give it to you. I won't lend you a penny! Your poor friend is nothing compared to my
After the divorce, she had no money and no family. How could she survive in the future?'Forget it. When she was at her wit's end, she would finally ask me for help.' Miguel thought and finally took his focus back to work.Ximena took a taxi back to the small villa where she lived with Miguel. This villa had witnessed all the sufferings she had gone through in the past three years.The memories were so miserable that she never wished to mention them anymore.Passing through the small garden in front of the gate, Ximena went straight upstairs to pack up and just couldn't wait to leave.However, just as she made her way to the first floor, a beautiful lady in the hall gazed back at her.In a snow-milky dress, the lady greeted Ximena with a gentle smile. "Hello Ximena, I haven't seen you for quite a while."Ximena was short of words immediately. She had never expected to see Tania right here in the villa.I've just divorced Miguel, and Miguel instantly gave Tania the key to the villa we
Hearing Ximena’s remark, Miguel frowned. When did I ever say I was to abandon her? And why would she have such thoughts?Bewilderment deluged him. Just as he was about to chase after her to talk things out, someone clutched at the hem of his suit pants from behind.On the ground, Tania lifted her face, looking all piteous.Sobbing softly, she rationalized, “Mig… I’m sorry. I was just afraid… I was afraid that you would’ve fallen in love with Ximena in the three years I’ve been away. I was scared that you wouldn’t want me anymore…”With his brows still creased together, Miguel looked down at her. The instant he glimpsed her slightly swollen cheek, his gaze softened. Ultimately, he reached out and helped her up, his voice turning gentle.“I’ve said that I’ll give you a status. A divorce was merely a matter of time. This time, you were too impatient.”Grasping his sleeve, Tania pouted forlornly.“It was all my fault, but I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I just used the wrong method. Mig… pl
Chapter 6 : Let the game beginUpon arriving at the company, she went up to the receptionist and declared, “Please notify your current CEO that I’d like to see him.”The receptionist’s expression stiffened on the spot, as she scrutinized Ximena from head to toe.Although she’s quite pretty, her whole outfit costs less than a hundred dollars. On top of that, she demanded to see the CEO right off the bat. The Nerves!“Do you have an appointment?”In response, Ximena shook her head. “No.” Hearing that, the receptionist almost burst into a peal of hearty laughter.“You haven’t got an appointment, yet you dare come to Antonio Group and put up a fuss? I guess these days, even rats now have the guts to throw their weight around without knowing their place!” She snapped as she she laughed hysterically.The harsh and insulting words had a frown kissing Ximena’s countenance. “Is this how you usually greet clients here in Antonio Group?” She asked,as she clenched her jaws.Ximena's eyes narrowe
Chapter 143: A Dangerous PropositionXimena had barely settled into her chair when the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor drew her attention. She looked up to find Tania sauntering into the office, swaggering with confidence around her like a shield. Miguel glanced from Ximena to Tania, an eyebrow furrowing in silent question as to what was bringing her this time. "Good morning," Tania said, a breezy light, through her eyes darted between them, shining with a glint of determination."What do you want, Tania?" Ximena asked icily, leaning back in her chair, arms crossed. Tania smiled slightly, undaunted by Ximena's overt hostility. "Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble. As a matter of fact, I think you'll want to hear what I have to say." Miguel straightened, already wary. "We're listening."Tania leaned in closer, lowering her voice as if the walls could hear her. "I can help you take down Vega." Ximena allowed a bitter laugh to escape from her lips and shook her he
Chapter 142: A Calculated RiskBack at the Antonio's Group the next day, Miguel leaned back in his chair, still reeling over the tense café meeting he had with Amanda. Ximena paced restlessly across the room, arms crossed tightly over her chest. "I still don't trust her," she said, her voice a bit shrill. "She just comes out of nowhere, asking for a job, and suddenly she has all the answers? It doesn't sit right with me."Miguel nodded. His fingers drummed against the desk. "I understand. But Amanda's information corresponds too well with what we already know about Vega's financial moves. If she's lying, it's a damned calculated lie." Ximena stopped pacing, swinging to face him. "And if she's not lying? What's to stop Vega from retaliating the minute we act on her intel?"Miguel took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. "Nothing. Yet, if we don't do anything, Vega wins by default. We've come too far to turn back now." Ximena shook her head. For a moment, frustration flas
Chapter 141: Trust ShatteredAcross from Henry sat Miguel, impassive. The older man leaned back in his chair, his impassive demeanor belying the tension in the room.Standing across the room by the window, Ximena clasped her arms tightly over her chest as she glared at the man she once considered a part of the trusted board membership.The evidence against him lay sprawled across the desk between them, staring in its simplicity yet damning in implications. "We know you've been accessing confidential files," Miguel began, his voice measured. "Files that were altered to mislead us and weaken Antonio's Group. Do you deny it?"Henry adjusted his tie, with a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. "This is a serious accusation that you're making, Miguel, and I would advise you to be very careful with claims that you make without real evidence."Ximena took a step forward, her voice slicing. "We have all the evidence we need. Clara traced the access directly to your office. And these f
Chapter 140: Breaking the CircleThe tension in Antonio’s Group grew tighter with each passing day. The threat of Henry's betrayal hung in the air; Miguel couldn't help but look over his shoulder, even in private. Miguel paced back and forth across the floor of Ximena's office while his mind reeled with schemes on how to handle their multiplying suspicions. Ximena sat with her elbows propped on her desk, sharp-eyed, going over Clara's findings once again."We need more than suspicion," Ximena said without looking up. Her voice was steady, but her hands had tightened on the edge of the desk. "If we confront Henry without solid proof, we risk tipping off Vega and worse, we could lose whatever leverage we still have."Miguel nodded, rubbing his chin in thought. "You're right. But we cannot afford to let this fester. If Henry's feeding Vega information, then we need to take action well before the quarterly report. We need proof, hard and clear."Ximena sank back in her chair, her gaze
Chapter 139: Boundaries of TrustMiguel couldn’t shake the tension lingering after the latest meeting with Henry. Whereas the older board member did give some critical information, the web of suspicion around them seemed to only thicken. It would seem with every new revelation to deal with that the walls of Antonio's Group closed in; the thin line between friend and foe increasingly harder to define. Determined to protect Ximena and the company, Miguel knew they'd have to tread carefully with every decision.Longer meetings and quieter strategy sessions in the privacy of Ximena's office had run the day. As night fell, she leaned back in her chair, massaging her temples. "I can't shake the feeling that we're running out of time," she admitted, her tone thick with frustration.Miguel watched her closely, his chest constricting where the fatigue was etched across her features. "We'll get through this," he told her with a calm, yet resolved tone. "But we cannot afford to miss one det
Chapter 138: Shadows of BetrayalMiguel could feel the tension radiating through the air as he and Ximena prepared for their next meeting with Antonio’s Group’s core team. Every step toward unmasking the truth was like peeling away from hidden agendas and shadows.They'd tightened every security measure they could, yet it gnawed on him thinking that someone on the inside could be working against them.As they turned toward the conference room, Ximena stopped, staring off into space."The whole thing with Vega.... it's changed everything. I hate that we have to question people we once trusted."Miguel nodded, catching the tumult in her voice. "I know. But until we are sure, we can't take any chances. Vega has made it clear that he will exploit any weakness he finds."They entered the conference room, Ximena taking her seat at the head of the table with confidence belied by the tension in her features. A few board members filed in, one of them Henry who paid silent respect to Ximena b
Chapter 137: Shadows in the DarkEvery word in the email's subject was a promise of retribution, spelling out in detail what was envisioned to happen if Antonio's Group continued to resist the influence of Vega.Miguel's hands clamped down on his desk as if to restrain himself. But his gut was screaming at him, to act now.He strode toward Ximena's office in rapid, determined steps. She was still hunched over her desk going over files under the muted office lights."Ximena," he said low but urgent.She looked up; instant concern flickered in her eyes as she took in his tense expression. "What's wrong?"He showed her the email, watching her face change from shock to steely determination. "So Vega's threatening me now?" she muttered, her tone barely containing the anger. Miguel nodded, his voice equally strained. "It would appear he is becoming desperate. I do not want you here alone-not with these threats hanging over us. We are increasing your security detail immediately."She shook h
Chapter 136: Lines of DeceptionMiguel sat at his desk, his mind heavy with tension since the beginning of the day. First, it was the threatening messages to Ximena, which were unsettling; now he had another angle to contemplate-a batch of documents from Henry.The subject line had read:"For the Protection of Ximena," an unsolicited move by a man who had long kept himself aloof from the politics of business.Miguel passed the documents along to Ximena with a simple message: "Take a look at these when you have a minute."Within minutes, Ximena knocked on his door frame; her eyes were already filled with incredulity. She came in and closed the door behind her, looking at his expression for explanation. "You just sent me those documents from Henry?" she asked, brow furrowed while holding up her phone.Miguel nodded, gesturing her to his desk. "Yes. He says they contain critical details about Vega's takeover strategy, supposedly information he thinks we'll need to counter Vega's next mo
Chapter 135: Lines of TrustMiguel and Ximena worked tirelessly in the days leading up to Antonio Group’s quarterly report. They knew if Vega had any plans to strike, this report's release was the avenue to spread chaos. They made sure they were not going to allow that to happen by revisiting every single security protocol there was: access to sensitive files was tightened, background checks of all their team members were reviewed again, and access lists of all personnel that would be in contact with the report were reassessed.Miguel leaned over a stack of security files, his face tense as he scanned the list of employees with access to the report. "We need to ensure that nobody outside of that list sees anything of the report before it is released. One misplaced file or leak and it's going to spread faster than we will ever be able to contain it.Ximena nodded, her intensity level matching his. "Agreed. We're in the spotlight more than ever right now. Vega's just waiting for us to