It was Elara who had pulled her up and brought her to Capitol. Compared to Elara, her own abilities seemed mediocre.During Lesley's first year in Capitol, it was Elara who supported her, using her own scholarship money to cover her expenses. When Elara was recruited into the Moonchaser Racing Club, she recommended Lesley to her agent as her navigator.Meanwhile, Vincent and the others had been hired as highly paid international engineers. In the beginning, Lesley had no way of communicating with them. It was Elara who always held her hand and helped her run forward.When they parted ways, Elara had poured most of her money into Lesley, sending her abroad for further studies."When I was 14, Mr. Leonard Fisher brought me to the Capitol. He dressed me in the finest clothes, gave me the most expensive imported stationery, provided me with a car, and let me live in a private apartment."He did all this not to spoil me, but to free me from unnecessary labor and pointless social intera
Theodore paced back and forth by the sofa twice before dialing Finnegan's number."Hello?" Finnegan answered in an irritated tone, but before he could say anything more, Theodore's anxious voice shot through the receiver."My dearest brother-in-law, hurry up and take Merida away! Elara finally reunited with an old flame, so no one should disturb them! She has a big race next week, and I only care about her physical condition!"After whatever happens between her and Lesley tonight, she can't afford to fool around anymore!" As he said this, a sharp pain twisted in Theodore's chest.Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, Finnegan was in the middle of a workout at the gym. His deep blue quick-dry shirt had darkened with sweat, clinging to his broad chest and sculpted muscles. Beads of moisture dripped from his closely cropped hair, each strand standing on end like a porcupine's quills.Finnegan pressed his lips together, his breath steady but heavy. The damp fabric of his shirt outl
Harvey lifted his gaze and double-checked the apartment number. It was correct. This was the place Elara rented with Merida.Standing in front of him was Lesley, dressed in gray plaid pajamas that leaned toward a more androgynous style. She had even thrown on a loose-fitting loungewear jacket over them.She had just been about to start her skincare routine, so her bangs were pushed up with a sports headband, making her look even more like a fresh-faced, youthful young man."Harvey Fisher!" Lesley's expression turned instantly cold.She had never formally met Harvey face-to-face. Five years ago, there had been a few times she spotted him from a distance, but that was it.However, she had done her research. The moment she found out about Elara's divorce, Harvey's photo became her personal dartboard.Harvey's sharp, oppressive gaze swept over Lesley's face. The suffocating pressure he exuded burst out like a wave, filling the narrow space. "Lesley Lupone, is it?"Like a monarch iss
Harvey's mocking expression froze on his face.At that moment, Elara had just stepped out of the shower. Her hair was still damp, clinging to her shoulders and neck.The wet strands stuck to her slender collarbone, and the fabric of her clothes darkened where the moisture had seeped through. Her fair skin carried a delicate flush, still warm from the bath.Harvey's gaze lingered on her for a moment. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his breathing tightened involuntarily. The two officers exchanged knowing looks as their gazes shifted toward Harvey.Harvey let out a short, bitter laugh. "Elara, are you doing this on purpose? You think this is the same as me and Niamh?""Mr. Fisher," one of the officers interrupted, "Let go of the collar first. Right now, you're trespassing and causing a disturbance."Elara lowered the mop, and Harvey finally released his grip on Lesley's shirt. She immediately pulled Lesley behind her, shielding her protectively.Lesley's face had gone pale. The momen
Harvey was determined to get Elara's signed statement of leniency. But she simply smiled and asked, "Do you really think I'd ever agree to something like that?"Harvey's patience grew thin. "I'm giving you one chance to name your price."He then handed her a blank check.Elara took it as the corners of her lips curved up. "Pass me a pen."If money came knocking on her door, why not take it? Harvey glanced at his lawyer, who immediately handed her a pen.Without hesitation, Elara wrote down a number. She then handed the check back to Harvey. "Sign it first."Harvey's breath hitched the moment he saw the amount."100 million dollars?" His dark eyes were heavy with disbelief, like ink too thick to dissolve.A scornful laugh escaped him. "This is extortion!"Elara immediately turned to the police officers. "You officers saw that, didn't you? Harvey handed me a blank check and asked me to fill it in. Now that I have, he's accusing me of extortion. Isn't this entrapment?"Both offi
Elara pressed the stopwatch on her phone and held up the screen for Harvey to see. The ticking numbers on the timer flashed like bullets, each one piercing through his chest.Once upon a time, this was exactly how he had treated Elara. And now, the once-arrogant and untouchable CEO of Fisher Corp was the one strapped to a ticking time bomb.One of the officers nodded approvingly. "Ms. Jones has made a very reasonable suggestion. Mr. Fisher, please convince Niamh to record an apology video. If she can actually collect 999 likes on her post, it will help us close the case."For the first time in his life, Harvey felt as if he were being burned alive over an open flame. The feeling was unbearably stifling.His expression darkened, but he had no choice under the relentless countdown on Elara's screen. He unwillingly pulled out his phone and dialed the number.Never in his wildest dreams had he thought there would come a day when he would be forced into a corner by Elara Jones. And yet
If Harvey had been face-to-face with Niamh at that moment, he would have noticed something was off about her emotions."Mr. Fisher, I've prepared the apology script." The lawyer's voice came through the phone.Harvey glanced at the timer on Elara's phone before giving his next order. "Set up the camera and record her reading the apology."The lawyer positioned a tripod, mounted the phone, and placed the script next to it so Niamh could read it directly while looking into the camera.Niamh nearly bit through her tongue. Elara was pushing her too far!But then, a thought struck her. Once she competed in the International Racing Championship exhibition race, she would become the woman who fulfilled Dawn's last wish in Harvey's eyes. From that moment on, she would be the most irreplaceable woman by his side!As long as she could race, whatever reputation she lost now would be meaningless. The men who had once called her their "brother" would all come crawling back.The metallic tast
After the lawyer posted the video, he let out a sigh of relief. "Mr. Fisher, I've uploaded Niamh's apology video."He refreshed Niamh's social feed and immediately saw that Harvey was the first to like the post. Harvey turned his phone screen toward Elara, showing her Niamh's post.Without waiting for him to speak, Elara exited the stopwatch app on her phone. She didn't need any further prompting, and she signed her name on the statement of leniency.Handing the document over to the police, she smiled at Harvey and said, "Let's hope she collects 999 likes soon."Harvey was about to say something, but Elara spoke again. "I'm still looking forward to seeing Niamh take the stage at the exhibition race with Vincent and the team. The real show—where you and Niamh will lose all credibility—has yet to begin."He looked down at her with eyes filled with contempt as he scoffed. "So, you know Vincent."His gaze shifted to Lesley, radiating hostility. There was no way Elara could understand
Elara looked under the desk. What on earth was going on?Meanwhile, Harvey observed Elara in her formal women's suit on the computer screen—an attire he'd never seen her wear before.Her hair was pulled back into a bun secured by a simple ebony hairpin. A few strands, gilded by sunlight, curled against her porcelain cheeks.Though she appeared to be looking down at something, Harvey's gaze and thoughts remained completely captivated by her face. Only months had passed since their divorce, yet seeing her now felt like encountering someone from another lifetime.Had time stretched endlessly during his days at Atkina Church?"El—" Harvey's throat tightened as if stuffed with paper.But he quickly regained his usual composed tone. "Elara—no, I should address you as Ms. Jones now. Had Sam not called me, I wouldn't have known you'd assumed Quantum Tech's CEO position."His voice carried that innate condescension of the privileged, laced with unmistakable mockery."Why are you hiding
Elara stood still as she gazed at the tall, distinguished man before her. Meanwhile, Theodore looked up and smiled at her against the light."Why are you so far away?"Elara stepped toward him, teasing lightly, "I wanted a good look at you.""Then you'll need to come closer." Theodore leaned forward, closing the distance between them.Though she stopped a step away, their faces nearly touched. Elara instinctively held her breath as her eyes locked on him."Can you see clearly now?" Theodore asked."Mm," Elara replied."And?""So handsome." Elara praised him sincerely. "You're one of the most attractive men I've ever seen!"She truly meant it. Theodore chuckled through his nose. She'd seen plenty of handsome men in her life—Finnegan, Harvey, and Leonard. Especially Leonard, whose looks even made Theodore feel somewhat threatened."My face is the least remarkable part of me." He declared confidently.Images of those shirtless photos Theodore had sent flashed through Elara's mi
Harold smiled as he explained, "Of course, they're talking about the most prominent figure in all of Capitol."Although Angie had lived in Melcina for years, she still kept up with the major gossip surrounding Capitol's elite families.And when it came to the most famous heir of the Snapp family, none other than Theodore came to mind. His reputation was practically legendary—everything he touched turned to gold. It was as if, with just a flick of his fingers, he could rise to the top of any industry."Does he have any business dealings with Quantum Tech?" she asked.Harold replied, "Ms. Price is interested in having Mr. Snapp's firm, Polaris Law Firm, take over Quantum Tech's legal affairs."The moment Harold said this, Angie understood that Priscilla clearly had an ulterior motive. She must be looking to shift her business focus back to Eucon, and using Quantum Tech to pull Theodore into her orbit was the first step."So, that means Mr. Snapp's visit is to discuss a legal partne
When Angie realized what she'd been saying, she quickly apologized, "Sorry, Leonard, for making you listen to my complaints all this time.""It's fine." Leonard's cool voice resonated like a struck bronze bell, sending subtle vibrations through her heart.This was the first time Angie had managed to keep Leonard on the phone for so long, though their entire conversation revolved around Elara.Leonard showing such rare patience made Angie's lips curve upward in delight."Can I call you again in the future?" She ventured the bold question, though anxiety churned inside."You may call if it's regarding Quantum Tech matters."He had glimpsed an Elara who was completely different from the respectful woman he knew through Angie's words. So, she had a temper too—how intriguing.Angie's smile stretched ear to ear as she continued, "Leonard, thank you for listening to my grievances.""Oh, right."Suddenly remembering something, Angie added, "Quantum Tech has a front-end project collabo
Angie visibly flushed with embarrassment, and the other employees fell silent. Some immediately lowered their heads to focus on their meals, while others held their breath, pressing their lips together to control their expressions."Angie's been abroad too long—she's not used to strict workplace hierarchies," Samuel defended her, raising his voice."Elara, now that you're CEO, you just can't wait for everyone to bow and scrape before you, huh? You might not realize this, but modern workplaces emphasize equality—we all address each other as colleagues now."His mocking tone was unmistakable. As the eldest son of the Quinn family, he clearly didn't take Elara seriously.Elara met his disdainful gaze. "Fine."She continued calmly, "Then let's abolish internal titles at Quantum Tech. All employees will be leveled equally, with salaries determined by performance. Anyone above L4 will be downgraded to L4, so there's true equality across the board. That's the only way to eliminate workpl
When Elara came to her senses, she noticed Leonard was already gone—and Angie had disappeared with him.The nature of Leonard and Angie's relationship was undeniably intriguing, but since Leonard chose not to share, Elara felt it would be improper to pry into her elder's private affairs.She then joined the other Quantum Tech employees in seeing off the city officials. Harold immediately seized the chance to cozy up to her. "Elara, I'm dying to know—how did you become Quantum Tech's leader?"He continued eagerly, "I've been helping out at Quantum Tech recently. Ohm Technologies and my lab are collaborating on a project with them."Elara merely nodded, showing no interest in further conversation.Undeterred, Harold pressed on. "Let me introduce you to everyone at Quantum Tech."His enthusiasm was purely for show—he wanted the company to know he had special connections with Elara."You know Mr. Quinn, right?" he asked, making introductions.Elara glanced at the sharp-featured man
"Elara, you're the developer of the Prism project? Why have I never heard you mention this before?" Harold blurted out in confusion.After processing this information, he suddenly remembered Priscilla's second statement. He blinked, wondering if he'd misheard.He immediately turned to Samuel beside him. "Did I hear that wrong? It's so noisy here—what did Ms. Price just say? Who's Quantum Tech's leader?"Samuel's expression stiffened visibly.Meanwhile, Angie stared at Elara with suspicion. "What kind of deal did you make with Ms. Price? How could you possibly be Quantum Tech's lead?"Her instincts told her there had to be some mistake. She'd investigated Elara earlier. She was just a woman who dropped out of her direct PhD program at Capitol University to get married and become a housewife, without any substantial work experience.Someone like Elara might qualify as a janitor at Quantum Tech at best."What qualifications does she have to lead Quantum Tech?" Samuel muttered under
"My apologies, Ms. Price, the alarms in the data center are too loud. Let's switch to a video call."As she spoke, Elara connected her phone to the projection system. Priscilla tapped her screen to enable video, and in the next second, her face appeared on the large display.Everyone looked up at the screen in surprise. Angie even gasped. "Ms. Price?" From Priscilla's perspective, her phone only showed Elara's face through the camera feed."Ms. Price, I'm already in the data center. Please give your instructions," Elara continued.Her tone remained perfectly neutral. Priscilla responded, "You're Quantum Tech's leader. What professional guidance could I possibly give you?"Elara turned on the speakerphone, amplifying Priscilla's voice through the room. Amidst the urgent wailing of alarms, Priscilla's words sounded almost surreal. The surrounding crowd struggled to process what was happening."Elara Jones, do you realize city officials are inspecting Quantum Tech today? With the
Angie led the group into the digital data center."Good afternoon, Ms. Shelton." The employees greeted her with deep respect, their gazes filled with admiration.Angie maintained an aloof demeanor as she asked, "How's the testing on Prism's data coming along?""The basic framework is stable now. We're currently fine-tuning the details of Prism's database."Angie nodded. "Run the Prism system for our guests.""Uh... About that—"The staff hesitated. "We haven't fully mastered this framework yet..."Angie frowned. "After all this time, you still haven't figured it out?"Seeing their uneasy expressions, she sighed. "This framework's structure is elementary. Fine, I'll do it myself."The researchers' eyes lit up with excitement upon hearing this."The Prism model's framework design is incredibly complex—it completely defies conventional understanding. Yet Ms. Shelton mastered the entire codebase so quickly after joining!""No wonder she's Aempleforth Street's most sought-after g