Benjamin’s face was flushed with anger, his fists clenched tightly at his sides as he glared at Rene. The room had gone deathly quiet, and the air was thick with tension. Maria, still standing beside Rene, watched the scene unfold with wide eyes, her heart pounding in her chest."You think you can just walk in here and act like you're someone?" Benjamin spat, his voice shaking with fury. "You're nothing! A nobody who got lucky! A maid's son... and you have the audacity to stand here and act like you're on our level?"Rene remained calm, his smirk never leaving his face as he studied the gun.The color drained from Benjamin’s face for a second, but his rage only deepened. “You think this is funny? Humiliating me? Humiliating my family? You think we’re going to let that slide?”Stepping closer, Benjamin pointed at Rene’s chest, jabbing his finger forward as if to provoke him. “I want you on your knees. Right now. Kiss my feet, beg for forgiveness, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll let you l
Before Mr. Leland could finish, the bank president stepped forward, his expression hardened, eyes unforgiving. “Mr. Leland,” he interrupted coldly, his voice echoing through the now-silent ballroom, “this has gone far beyond a simple misunderstanding.”The room stilled as the bank president’s eyes narrowed, filled with disapproval. He glanced at the lavish decorations, the chandeliers, the expensive wine glasses glittering in the light, all symbols of the Leland family’s reckless spending.“While you’re busy throwing lavish parties,” the bank president continued, his tone sharp, “your company is drowning in debt. The bank has been more than patient, but we are no longer willing to sit idly by while you mismanage your finances.”Mr. Leland’s forced smile faltered, and he stiffened, his eyes darting toward the guests who now watched in fascinated horror.The president’s words echoed in the room. “We’re prepared to initiate legal action to recover the debt you owe. If necessary, we’ll s
The silence that followed Gunnar’s ultimatum dragged on with the weight of everything that had just transpired. The ballroom, once filled with the soft murmur of conversation and clinking of champagne glasses, now stood frozen in a stunned hush. Every eye in the room was locked on Mr. Leland and his son, Benjamin.A gentleman near the front of the room, a distinguished figure in a well-tailored suit, shook his head in disbelief. "He's done it," he murmured, barely loud enough for those around him to hear. "They have no choice now. Mr. Gunnar has them trapped."The whispers started, quiet at first, but spreading quickly through the crowd like wildfire."Half the company… for their survival," another guest muttered. "It's a devil’s bargain, but they’re out of options."A woman in an elegant gown leaned toward her companion. “The Lelands… they’re finished. I’ve never seen anything like this.”Mr. Leland stood at the center of it all, his face twisted in agony, his pride warring against
The silence that followed Gunnar’s ultimatum stretched unbearably, pressing down on the room. Everyone was watching, waiting for the inevitable. Mr. Leland and Benjamin exchanged one last desperate glance, but they both knew there was no escape. The weight of humiliation bore down on them, their once-proud faces now twisted in agony. Finally, Mr. Leland sighed deeply, the sound full of resignation. With great reluctance, he lowered himself to his knees, every motion stiff, as though his pride were fighting his body. The room watched in stunned silence, unable to believe the sight of such a powerful man brought to his knees.Beside him, Benjamin hesitated, his face burning red with fury and shame. His jaw clenched so tightly that his teeth looked ready to crack, but after a moment, he followed his father’s lead, sinking to his knees. The proud heir of the Leland family, now kneeling in front of the very people he had tried to humiliate.Gunnar stood over them, his expression unreada
The crowd, already buzzing with whispers, grew louder at this revelation.“Is he really leaving ReF Inc.?” a man in the back murmured, his tone filled with disbelief. “That’s insane. No one sane will leave a company like that.”The revelation that Rene might be leaving ReF Inc. sent a wave of shocked murmurs rippling through the room.“He’s leaving ReF Inc.?” a man in the back repeated in disbelief, his tone hushed but incredulous. “That’s madness. Nobody walks away from an opportunity like that.”Juan Rossi, standing at the back of the crowd with his Antonio, shot a quick glance at him. “There’s no way Kia is that foolish,” Juan whispered, his tone sharp. “After what Mr. Gunnar just did for him? There’s no way he’s working for us.”Without a word, Antonio’s scowl deepened, his fists clenching at his sides as he watched Rene.'If Kia turns this down,' Antonio thought, his eyes growing tense, 'everything we’ve planned, all of our positioning… it’s going to fall apart.'His eyes stayed
Rene sat in silence, gripping the steering wheel as the car moved through the dark, quiet streets. The sound of the engine hummed softly, the only noise breaking the tense air between him and Maria. She hadn’t said a word since they left the party. Her arms were crossed, and she stared out the window, the reflection of passing streetlights flickering in her eyes.Even though they were far away from the resort, she could still feel the weight of everything that had happened, her emotions knotted inside her, a mixture of anger, confusion, and exhaustion. She wanted to scream, to tell Rene how reckless he’d been, how much his decision to leave Gunnar’s protection worried her, but the words wouldn’t come. Not yet.The silence between them stretched until something caught Maria’s attention. She furrowed her brow and glanced at the road ahead. They were no longer heading toward home.Her frustration boiled over into confusion. “Kia… We are going the wrong way?” she asked, her voice quiet
Rene paused, his hand hovering over the phone in his pocket, the persistent vibration pulling him back to the reality that had started to slip away in the serene space they’d found themselves in. But then, Maria’s voice, soft, broke through his hesitation.“Don’t,” she whispered, her breath warm against his neck as her fingers traced the fabric of his shirt, slowly making their way to the back of his neck. She pulled him closer, her voice barely audible, but the weight of her words was undeniable. “Not tonight.”Her request was gentle but firm, and it sent a shiver down Rene’s spine. He could feel the tension melting away between them, replaced by something far deeper, more intense. His hand dropped away from the phone, and he let out a quiet breath, turning his full attention back to Maria.Their eyes met, and in the flickering candlelight, the world outside felt distant, insignificant. The frustration, the anger that had been lingering between them, all of it dissolved as Maria m
The morning sun filtered through the soft curtains of the Rossi mansion, casting a warm glow across the master bedroom. Mr. Rossi sat on the edge of the bed, his brow furrowed, fingers tapping restlessly against his knee. He hadn’t slept much after the events of the previous night. Madam Rossi, still in her silk robe, sat at the vanity, brushing her hair. She glanced at her husband, noticing the tension in his posture, the way he seemed lost in thought.“They’re not home yet, are they... Maria and Kia?” Mr. Rossi asked, his voice low, though it held an edge of concern.His wife paused for a moment, setting down her brush before turning to face him. “No, they’re not,” she replied calmly, though there was a hint of curiosity in her voice. She noticed the way his shoulders were stiff, the way his fingers had stilled their tapping and now pressed into his palms.She frowned slightly, studying him. “What’s on your mind?” she asked, her tone soft.Mr. Rossi sighed deeply, running a hand