Chapter 7: The Battle for ControlXimena's declaration of intent to take over the Antonio Group sent shockwaves through the office. Alejandro's condescending smile faltered for a moment, before he regained his composure. "You're not serious, Ximena," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "You think you can just waltz in here and take control of a global corporation like Antonio Group?"Ximena's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. "I'm dead serious, Alejandro. And I won't let anyone, including you, stand in my way."Alejandro chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're not even a part of the company! I don't care what father told you," he snapped.Ximena's face remained determined, her jaw set. "I want to meet the board of directors" she sputtered,her eyes blazing as her gaze lingered.The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken challenges. Alejandro leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "I admire your confidence, Sister. But
Chapter 8: The Shadowy FigureXimena's mind raced as she tried to process the enigmatic Sofia's words.Who was this woman, and what did she want? The unease lingered long after Sofia disappeared into the shadows, leaving Ximena feeling like she was walking on thin ice.As she made her way back to the garage, Ximena couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched.She glanced over her shoulder, but the hallway was empty.She felt a shiver run down her spine as beads of sweat trickled down her face,amidst the cold breeze.Ximena's heart raced as she hastened her steps, her eyes darting around the deserted hallway. The garage seemed an eternity away, and the silence was suffocating. She fumbled through her bag for her phone, her heart beating as she thought of sinister scenarios. Just as she was about to dial for help, the sound of footsteps echoed behind her.She spun around, but the hallway was empty. The footsteps ceased, and the silence was even more oppressive. Ximen
Chapter 9: The Surprising Discovery.Ximena's eyes widened as she gazed at the person in the SUV. Her brother, Alejandro, who was demoted as the former CEO, was the one. Ximena felt a combination of surprise, fury, and bewilderment as his intense stare remained fixed on hers."Alejandro?" she murmured, her voice shaking.Alejandro exited the car, his height looming over her. "Ximena, we must have a conversation," he stated, his voice strong yet gentle.Ximena had a mind filled with questions running through it.Why was he acting strange? What was he hoping to get from her at this point?Silently, she accompanied him to the SUV, feeling weighed down by doubt in her heart. She was flanked by two men in suits, their eyes alert.While driving through the city, Ximena insisted on getting answers."What do you want with me Alejandro?" She asked, her eyes fixed on him."Vega is after me," Alejandro muttered, avoiding her lingering gaze."Huh, what do you mean?" Ximena asked, her eyes widen
Chapter 10~Ximena~My eyes flickered as I opened them, the burning rays from the sun made me close them back immediately.I felt weak and my legs were wobbly, with a slight headache that banged my head.Today was an important day for me, I had to get it right.The events of last night flashed through my mind. Sophia's words were echoing in my head.I gulped down an invisible lump as I remembered Alejandro and the Vega group.ZzzzzzzzzzzzMy phone buzzed, jolting me out of my thoughts. "Damn."The name on the caller Id was "Father.""Hello,' I said, immediately I answered. "Get here now," he replied, his voice cold and urgent."What does he want now?" I muttered as I rushed to my bathroom, I was already running late.After about ten minutes, I was done dressing up. I wore a milk coloured corporate dress with a black boot to match."You can do this," I whispered to myself before stepping out.******My tryes made a screeching sound as I drove into my father's house recklessly.I was l
Chapter 11~Ximena~“You!” I muttered as my eyes widened in shock. I couldn't believe my eyes, my ex-husband, Ethan, was in front of me.“Ximena we need to ta…” “We have nothing to talk about,” I snapped, cutting him off as I clenched my fist, memories of the torture and humiliation I had passed through in his house flashed through my mind. “I need you Ximena, please,” he begged, his voice low and gentle. As much as I hated him, I couldn't deny the fact that his voice bore sincerity.“Anything the matter?” A voice asked behind, making me turn. Charles was behind me, a warm smile on his face.“Nah, we good,” I replied, my eyes fixed on my ex-husband. “Alright then, shall we?” Charles said, leading the way into the restaurant.As we got into the restaurant, a slight gasp left my mouth as my eyes darted back and forth. Charles definitely wanted to impress me and it worked.“Sit, Ximena,” he said, pulling the chair out for me as I sat. His eyes were fixed on mine, as though he was bori
Chapter 12~Ximena~ZzzzzzzzzMy phone buzzed as I jerked up. My eyes were puffy and my legs felt wobbly. I lazily picked the call. “Hello,” I muttered dryly. “You have ten minutes left,” the voice at the other end said. “Alright,” I muttered as I hung up. “Fuck,” I growled, gritting my teeth.My face lit up as I remembered my dinner with Charles. His charming smile and fragrance still lingered in my head. Even though it was arranged, I couldn't help but anticipate our wedding.Suddenly, I heard a knock on my door, jolting me out of my thoughts. “Who is there?” I barked, my voice firm and cold. “You have a guest,” one of my men said. “I will be out in a minute,” I replied.I quickly rushed to my bathroom to freshen up. After about ten minutes I was done and ready to go. I wore a black denim jeans with a black hoodie to match. My hair was packed in a ponytail with a gold earring on both ears. As I was about going out, my eyes caught an envelope on the shelf. My mind quickly flashed ba
Chapter 13“No! This can't be,” I muttered as my lips trembled. My eyes widened while looking at the photo in my hand. “This is not possible,” I groaned underneath my breath. I felt a surge of queasiness run through my bones as I tried to comprehend what was happening.The picture displayed Charles and Alejandro, standing together in front of the same grand mansion Alejandro was in the last photo. My mind reeled in shock as a series of questions welled up in my head. Was Charles connected to my brother's criminal organization? Was our arranged marriage all a plot?A cold sweat ran down my back when I gazed up at my secretary, who had been observing me with worry etched on her face. “Where did you get this from?" I asked quietly, barely raising my voice above a whisper. "It was sent to your email anonymously, ma'am," she replied with sympathy in her eyes. "I thought it was better for you to see it." I nodded, still in shock as I glanced back at the image.“Arghh,” I groaned, clenching
Chapter 14It was dark in the night, my head throbbed. The weave of the sack over my head was inches from my face, and with every straining breath air thick and heavy with mildew filled my lungs. I did try and move, but my hands had been bound tightly at the back, the rough cord biting into my wrists."She's awake," a voice growled from somewhere beside me.One tug, and my sack was off my head. A couple of times, I blinked, and my eyes adjusted to the dim light of what seemed to be an abandoned warehouse. The concrete was cool beneath me; the rusting machinery stood looming in the shadows.My blurry vision focused on Charles a few feet away, bruised and with blood on his face. His eyes met mine, and in them was a fear equal to that of determination."Ximena," he croaked, his voice raspy. "I'm so sorry. This wasn't what was supposed to happen."His tall shape interposed between us, blocking my view. I lifted my head to meet a man in a perfectly tailored suit, his face hidden behind a
Chapter 131: Crossed WiresAcross the ballroom, Miguel watched Tania and Salazar speak in hushed tones with an arguing suspension in his stomach. It was so easily done to distrust her. She showed up completely out of the blue, her history with Vega coming to mind first.But before he could dwell deeper on it, she noticed him watching her, flashed a familiar, flirtatious smile, and started making her way over."Miguel," she said, greeting him playfully. "I didn't think I'd see you here tonight. It's been a while, hasn't it?"He remained polite, cautious in his distances. "It has, Tania. I didn't expect you to show up here either.""Oh, I'm sure you didn't," she returned, laughing softly. "But sometimes it is nice to catch up, especially with old friends."She cocked her head; her eyes glinting with something that made Miguel wary. "I hope you don't mind if I interrupt your evening for just a moment?"Before Miguel could utter a reply, he saw Ximena's eyes dart over from across the way
Chapter 130: Shadows in Plain SightAntonio's Group sat in silence, the air thick with tension, as Miguel and Ximena pored over the latest reports. Certainly a rumor had reached them about possible involvement by Vega, but nothing sounded as ominous as the threads that they were unraveling now."Salazar's actions just don't quite add up," Ximena whispered, scanning through yet another set of transactions. "He's missed three board meetings in the last month. And each time he's absent, something critical either leaks to the press or falls into Vega's hands. It feels almost like a timing precision too good to be true."Miguel nodded, his eyes razor-sharp with focus. "I've had a strange feeling about him, too. He's evasive every time we bring up the financial discrepancies, almost as if he is covering up for someone or himself."Ximena looked up, her face aflame. "Tonight's fundraiser will have the whole board, Salazar included. We need to confront him there, in a public setting where h
Chapter 129: Shadows and SecretsMiguel arrived at the headquarters of Antonio's Group, his mind still fresh with Ximena's urgent message that morning. He went into her office to find her already at her desk, with papers all over, her face knitted with worry. She looked up as he came in, and he could see the stress shadowing her usually steady gaze."Thanks for coming so quickly," she said, gesturing to the stack of papers."What's going on?" Miguel asked, stepping forward to reach for the documents."Caden Holdings," Ximena replied, huffing. "After everything we did to reassure them, they're going cold feet on their position with us."Miguel's eyebrows furrowed as he flipped through the papers. "They're second-guessing us again? After all we did to stabilize this place?"Ximena nodded. Anger was taut in her tone. "They're still anxious. It's like every reassurance we give them only keeps them steady a minute before something else rattles them."She crossed her arms, leaning back s
Chapter 128: A Night to RememberThe aftermath of the break-in had Miguel and Ximena edgy, Antonio's Group silence heavier than usual. Despite security searching, nothing showed up; whoever had come for the company's secrets vanished into thin air. That uncertainty ticked them off, building fear about Vega's reach and intent.The cool night air brushed against their faces as Miguel walked Ximena to her car. The adrenaline of the break-in still sang in their veins, making their movements tight and cautious, but it was more than caution that had Miguel walking beside her. "Let me take you home," he said, his tone quiet but firm in its determination.It was then that Ximena turned to him, her eyes clouded with fatigue, but her appreciation shone through: "Gracias, Miguel. Me gustaría." The drive to her place was silent; each of them had his or her own thoughts. Miguel felt that the events of the night must have stirred memories and concerns, and he needed to take some of that load
Chapter 127: A Strategy Forged in TrustSometimes, sharing your burdens is the first step toward finding strength.Miguel turned his head and glanced across the table to Ximena, deep in a series of partnership reports spread before her. The soft hum of the office was soothing even as the challenges spread before them remained daunting. Antonio's Group had its share of threats, but Vega's incessant interference had taken that to a whole new level.They both knew the next moves they made would determine the future of the company, perhaps even their own relationship.Miguel spoke first. "I believe the time has come for us to whittle our focus down to those who prove to be our strongest partners. If we consolidate those alliances, it will make it harder for Vega to chip away at our base."Ximena nodded contemplatively, tapping a pen against her notebook. "Agreed. If we can cement those relationships, the weaker partners will see our strength and stability and be more apt to stay with us
Chapter 126: A Risky AllianceToday, though, he couldn’t let himself be distracted. Ximena had lined up her next series of client meetings, the aim of which was to keep Antonio's Group stable in light of Vega's continuing presence .He trod in the direction of Ximena's office, gathering himself for the battle that would take place during the day. She was already at her desk, eyes scanning over documents, her focus intense. Miguel admired her dedication, but he could see the weight of recent events in the slight shadows beneath her eyes. She looked up, giving him a nod as he took a seat."Good morning," he greeted her."Morning, Miguel," she said, giving him a slight smile. "Our top priority today is securing the last of our reluctant clients. If they remain on, it shows that Antonio's Group is steadfast, no matter how much Vega tries to shake us."Miguel nodded, his voice serious. "And if this goes through, this should also keep the confidence of the board up. We're close, Ximena.
Chapter 125: Building TrustThe early morning sun filtered through Miguel's office window as he prepared himself for yet another round of meetings with Ximena and their clients. The recent events-the Vega attacks on Antonio's Group-had worn him out, but every time he saw Ximena's commitment and strength in staying so calm, he felt his will renewed. This was his chance at redemption, not only with the company but also with her.He was to meet Ximena in her office so they could finalize how to proceed with Caden Holdings - the most cautious of their big clients. They had stabilized some of the other partnerships, but with each new rumor, the loyalty of Caden would quiver. Securing confidence in Antonio's Group would be a major win, just as it would be for its standing with the other clients as well.He steeled himself as he entered her office, running through their prepared responses to all possible objections in his head. She was already sitting and scrolling through financial rep
Chapter 124 Treading on Thin IceThe silent peace Miguel had entertained when he gave Tania the boot lasted only that long. The next morning, he was astride his high horse, trying to put his energies on Antonio's Group and the mountain of urgent tasks before him. He knew that Tania's sudden reappearance last night and her veiled threats were not all he was going to hear from her.He had tried to shut that chapter, but the madness of Tania was one of those loose ends always looming in his life and ready to undo the little he had achieved.When Miguel entered the headquarters of Antonio's Group, he knew he wasn't going to let her act in such a way that dispelled everything they had gained.She was already in her office, going through the latest reports on their accounts and partnerships. She watched him come in, her expression steady but worn.Any news?" he asked her as he sat opposite her.Ximena nodded, pushing a folder toward him. "Our people have managed to secure our biggest cl
Chapter 123 A Delicate BalanceThere was the fact, of course, that since Tania's recent reappearance, complete with her erratic behavior, he had hardly slept a wink. She'd messed up her deal with Vega and was now on the run from his anger, but desperation, he knew, could drive her to any lengths and right now, she just so happened to want him.Ximena had made it clear she needed him to focus on Antonio's Group, and he wasn't about to blow her trust a second time.Then his phone beeped with a reminder from Ximena of a meeting that afternoon with one of their biggest clients, an opportunity to reinforce stability and reassure them into the company's direction.And then, after the mayhem caused by Vega's network, they needed to prove their firm was strong and united.---The atmosphere in Antonio's Group, as Miguel walked in, was tense, though hopefully so.Employees were busy, trying to cope with huge fallouts of Vega's recent attacks;He could see Ximena no less than a force herself,