Without Alden, Beatriz felt as if she had lost her right-hand man. The thought of having her most useful pawn ripped away left her deeply resentful.
"It's all Vanessa’s fault," she fumed. "If that wretched woman hadn’t kept competing with me over Luca, I wouldn’t have gotten caught up in this mess and made these mistakes."
“I’ll make her pay,” Beatriz swore under her breath.
Since Vanessa cared so much about Cortex, Beatriz decided she’d make sure that company couldn't survive. ‘Let’s see how she’ll fight me after that.’
With that thought, she picked up her phone and called one of her business partners. “Mr. Aamon, it’s been a while.”
“Miss Langley! What a pleasant surprise. What made you think of calling me today?” Aamon sounded genuinely surpris
Upon receiving the response, Vanessa felt a bit disappointed, but at least the other party hadn’t outright rejected her, which made her feel there was still a chance to negotiate.“Alright, I hope Mr. Aamon will reconsider. I’ll take my leave for now.”After leaving Mr. Aamon's office, Vanessa met with several other executives, but received the same reply from each of them.Back at Cortex, she sat down and closed her eyes for a moment to rest.After a day of running around, she was utterly exhausted.When Luca arrived, her assistant stopped him at the door. “Mr. Kensington, Miss Saxon is resting right now and isn’t available to meet. Would you like to wait in the reception area?”Upon hearing this, Luca furrowed his brow and asked worriedly, “Is she unwell again?”
‘Ness Corp, a well-known company in the capital, is suspected of defrauding consumers, as the quality of their products has significantly declined, raising concerns among customers about the materials used in their products.’ Just a few days after the delivery, Ness Corp found itself in the news due to quality issues.The efficacy of the products was something only industry insiders could truly assess. Beatriz had hoped to weather this materials crisis by delivering on time, but she never expected that someone would seize the opportunity to expose their problems.As more and more customers reported obvious defects in the products they received, and some even conducted experiments to verify their suspicions, it became apparent that Ness Corp might be involved in consumer fraud. The company was thrown into chaos.All morning, Beatriz wore a gloomy e
After confirming that the person seated before her was Vanessa, whom she despised to the core, Beatriz exclaimed sharply, “Vanessa, how dare you be here? This is the board meeting of Ness Corp; who gave you the audacity to sit here as an outsider?!”Beatriz’s emotions were running high, her tone involuntarily rising, and her voice slightly trembling.“I am a shareholder of Ness Corp, so why shouldn't I be here for the board meeting?” Vanessa replied fearlessly, locking eyes with Beatriz.Compared to Beatriz, Vanessa appeared remarkably calm.Hearing this, Beatriz remained skeptical and turned to her assistant, whispering, “Is what she said true?”The assistant nodded but dared not meet Beatriz’s gaze.“Why are you only mentioning something so important now?” Beatriz’s voice carried an unmistakable edge of anger.The assistant lowered her head even further.The ot
“This is a list of some projects currently managed by our project department, along with their respective leaders. You can take a look.”Luca glanced over it, and finding it satisfactory, he replied, “Can I take this back to review? Of course, if possible, it would be great if I could also borrow the project materials to look at.”“Of course.” Beatriz handed over a stack of documents without hesitation.With the materials in hand, Luca felt he had achieved the purpose of his visit and didn’t want to linger a moment longer. “Then I’ll take my leave, President Langley.”“Wait a moment,” Beatriz called out hurriedly as she saw Luca about to leave. “Luca, don’t you have anything you want to say to me? Ezra has been missing you a lot these days.”Thinking of Ezra softened Luca’s heart momentarily, but he quickly reminded himself that this was just Beatriz&rsq
Hearing this, Luca’s face paled slightly, and his thoughts were pulled back to the past…“I actually didn’t hate you. I mean, back five years ago.” Luca hesitated, unsure how to convey his feelings to Vanessa so that she would believe him.Five years ago, when he learned that he was about to marry Vanessa, Luca felt a sense of resistance. He knew that Vanessa liked him, but at that time, he didn’t have any feelings for her.Luca disliked the feeling of being controlled by others. He initially didn’t want this arranged marriage and even transferred his frustration onto Vanessa.However, it seemed that Vanessa didn’t notice his aversion. She continued to revolve around him every day.Seeing the pampered young lady, who had never touched the kitchen before, learn to cook for him, burning her hands and hiding them behind her back in fear of him noticing, Luca had to admit that, from that moment on, his h
“Really?” Mariah’s interest was piqued. The actor Leonardo Blue was her perfect idol—talented and skilled, it was as if heaven had blessed him with a career.“I wouldn’t joke about this. Recently, at an event, I happened to be a guest alongside him. Since you mentioned before that he’s your idol, I casually asked him for an autographed photo for you. When are you free? I can give it to you,” Cassandra said.Hearing that she could get an autographed photo of her idol, Mariah felt her spirits lift, sweeping away the earlier gloom. She quickly replied, “I’m free tonight. How about we grab dinner?”“Great! It’s a deal. I’ll send you the location later.”The two quickly settled on a time and place to meet.Cassandra’s sudden call to Mariah wasn’t coincidental; it was actually a request from Luca.Luca had been keeping an eye on Vanessa&rsqu
Not knowing if Cassandra had understood, Mariah adjusted her face and said earnestly, “Cassandra, don’t misunderstand. I was just trying to help you out. I really don’t like girls!”At that moment, Cassandra's intoxication caught up with her, and she could hardly hear what Mariah was saying before she drowsily fell asleep.Watching Cassandra sleep in her arms, Mariah found the situation both amusing and exasperating. She could only call a car to take her home.The next morning, Cassandra woke up with a terrible headache, groggily sitting up while holding her head, piecing together the fragmented memories of the night before.‘Did I really kiss Mariah last night? Oh no, she can’t seriously think I like girls, or that I have feelings for her, can she?’Realizing what she had done, Cassandra tightly wra
Luca was taken aback. “What’s so uncomfortable about that?”As soon as he finished speaking, Vanessa shot him an eye-roll, silencing him instantly.Luca replied awkwardly, “Well… I still have to attend the meeting. I’ll try my best not to look at you.”Vanessa wasn’t sure how much ‘trying’ that meant, as Luca continued to stare at her throughout the meeting.Vanessa could only do her best to ignore the intense gaze, focusing on the meeting materials instead. However, due to her nerves, she stumbled over her words a few times while speaking, leaving her feeling flustered, but there was nothing she could do about Luca.Meanwhile, Mariah and Cassandra arrived at the agreed location.In front of the elegant Japanese restaurant, a young man in a suit had been waiting f
“You don’t have it now, but you will soon. Hurry up and get better, don’t forget, the tenth day is our big day,” Magnus said as he held her hand, his face full of anticipation.“Everyone outside thinks you're going to marry Astrid Thorne. What does that have to do with me?” Senna turned her face away and snorted.“Are you jealous?” Magnus couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re the mother of my two children, yet you’re still so jealous.”Magnus reached out to turn her face back to him, gently brushing her nose with his finger. “I haven’t told you yet, Astrid is dead.”“What? Astrid is dead?” Senna asked in surprise. “How did she die?” She had already guessed that Magnus wouldn’t let her off after hurting her at the mansion, but she didn’t expect him to go as far as killing her.After the shock, she felt a little pity—it w
Magnus reached out and gently wiped the tears from her face, his voice hoarse. “My Grandpa believed you were the one who set the fire that killed Matthias. He wouldn’t pass up any chance to take revenge on you. If I hadn’t done what I did, your life would have been in danger.”“Sis, brother-in-law didn’t mean to deceive you. Please forgive him.” Tobias pleaded anxiously.“You bad daddy! You made Mommy cry! I hate you!” Maxime angrily raised his little arm and shoved him away before hugging Senna tightly, speaking in an old-fashioned tone, “Mommy, don’t cry. Maxime loves you the most.”Looking at his own son standing like a wall between them, Magnus’s temple twitched violently. He barely resisted the urge to throw the little brat out.“Maxime, kids shouldn’t interrupt when adults are talking. Let me talk to your daddy, okay?” Senna stroked his head, her mind overflowing
It was unclear how much time had passed when a beautiful melody drifted into Senna’s ears. This song…“Sis, don’t sleep anymore. Please wake up, okay? I miss you so much. Sis, it’s been so long since you sang me to sleep. Do you still remember this song? You used to sing it to me all the time. Please wake up, sis. I’m so worried about you.”The familiar voice echoed in her ears—it was Tobias’s voice. Could it be… that she had died and met Tobias in heaven?“Sis, wake up! Open your eyes and look at me! It’s me, Tobias. How could you be so cruel and leave me behind?”Tobias’s voice grew increasingly sorrowful, choked with tears. Big, warm drops of his tears landed on Senna’s face.“Tobias…” It really was his voice. Senna’s eyes flew open, and the moment she saw that familiar little face so close to hers, tears gushed uncontrollably dow
But, the butler warning came too late. The sharp blade plunged mercilessly into the old master’s abdomen."You old bastard," Astrid sneered, her voice dripping with venom. "Three years ago, you promised me that if I got rid of Senna, I would marry into the Voss family as the young madam. But you went back on your word—I tolerated it. And now, when Magnus’s people are hunting me down, you want to cut ties with me? Since I’m doomed anyway, I’ll take you down with me. HAHAHA!""Old Master!"Blood spurted out as Astrid pulled out the knife. The butler’s face turned ashen with terror. Without hesitation, he raised his gun.Bang!The gunshot rang out.Astrid’s crazed laughter was abruptly silenced. A bullet pierced her forehead. Her wide, crazed eyes froze in place as her body collapsed to the ground, lifeless, her expression frozen in disbelief."Old Master, are you alright? Someone call for help!
Daring to commit violence in Rosewood Manor, Astrid had already prepared to risk everything. After escaping, she headed straight to Voss Manor—because at this point, the only person in the world who could protect her was the old man.Inside Voss Manor, the old man was studying a chess board, frowning as he realized he had backed himself into a dead end. He sighed softly. “Fated.”“Master.” The butler entered with Astrid.Disheveled and panicked, Astrid collapsed to her knees in front of the old man, sobbing. “Grandpa, I did as you wanted! This time, Senna is surely dead! I helped you get rid of her! But Magnus won’t let me go—he’ll kill me, he’ll tear me apart! Grandpa, what do I do now?”The old man frowned, glaring at the butler in displeasure. “Can’t you see I’m busy? Why bring her here? Get rid of her.” To him, she wasn’t even worth as much as a dog.
Magnus’s gaze lowered slightly. He wasn’t wrong.After the car accident, his legs had been injured, but not to the extent of being crippled. He had faked it deliberately—to make the old man feel guilty, to show him what it was like to lose control.He was the eldest grandson of the Voss family. His father had died young, caught in a revenge killing. His mother, unable to bear the loss, chose to end her life by jumping into the sea, leaving him behind. Devastated, the old man pinned all his hopes on Magnus, raising him with an iron hand, demanding perfection. And he delivered, becoming the ideal heir—until Senna appeared.Senna’s mother had been divorced by the Thorne family for alleged infidelity. A daughter born of such a woman was nothing but a disgrace in the old man’s eyes. He couldn’t tolerate her ruining the successor he had spent decades grooming. And when Matthias died, it became the spark that ignited the traged
Before Magnus could turn around, a brutal punch slammed into his face, sending him staggering back two steps. He grunted in pain and was about to retaliate when a small head peeked out from behind him.A pair of large, round, jet-black eyes blinked at him, filled with curiosity. The chubby little face scrunched up in confusion before a childish voice spoke, "Huh? Uncle... He looks just like my dad..."Magnus's raised fist froze mid-air.His gaze locked onto the little boy, who was the spitting image of himself as a child. He was too stunned to speak."That's right! He’s the bad dad who nearly got you killed, and now he's hurting your mom! Because of him, you’re about to lose your mother!"With seething anger, Caius pulled the child forward, pointing at Magnus in accusation."I'm losing my mom?"The little boy repeated the words twice as if trying to process them. Then, his face suddenly changed.Panic-stricken, he b
The venomous voice sent a shiver down Senna’s spine. She was about to jump off the swing when a sudden, forceful push sent her flying forward. She let out a startled scream as she crashed to the ground.Just as she struggled to get up, a sharp, searing pain stabbed through her abdomen. Her face instantly turned deathly pale."You should’ve died three years ago! Why are you still alive?" Astrid sneered, dressed as a maid to sneak in. She gripped a wooden stick, her face twisted with hatred. "If it weren’t for you, I would be an award-winning actress by now. My endorsements would be endless! You ruined my career—was that not enough? Why did you have to ruin my marriage too?"As she raised the stick, she suddenly caught a whiff of something metallic—blood. Looking down, she saw crimson liquid trailing down Senna’s leg. She froze for a second before her fury erupted."You wretched woman… you're pregnant again?!"
After returning from the old master's place, Astrid spent the entire night unable to sleep. She couldn't believe she had been deceived—no, she refused to believe it was true. Magnus was so wealthy; why would he bother scheming for her shares? Compared to his vast fortune, her shares were insignificant, a mere drop in the ocean.The next morning, she rushed to the headquarters of Voss Group. Everyone in the company assumed she was the future president’s wife, so no one dared to stop her.She barged straight into Magnus’s office, watching as he reviewed and signed documents. Taking out her compact mirror, she carefully touched up her weary face, ensuring there were no flaws before putting on a bright smile and knocking gently on the door.“Magnus.”Magnus glanced at her. Despite her meticulously refined appearance, he still found her face utterly displeasing. His voice was cold, devoid of any warmth.&ldquo