INICIAR SESIÓNShawn looked down at the paper, then leaned back, his expression simply blank. He tried to act nice, lowering his voice into a warning tone. "That position was never dormant, Anika. And honestly? I think I did you a favor."Anika's eyes narrowed. "A favor?"Slowly, he leaned forward, his eyes not leaving hers. "The Shalls are getting too invested in your company," Shawn warned, tapping his finger on the desk. "First, Christopher steps down from his father's hospital to take over Vanguard and sit in our executive meetings. Now, his younger sister is trying to squeeze her way into the lower supply chain desks right next to you?”He scoffed out a laughter, shaking his head. “They are a monopoly, Anika. If they get their fingers too deep into Delacroix, they will swallow your inheritance before you even launch the skincare line."BANG!Anika slammed her fist down onto the desk so hard Shawn’s coffee cup spilled over the edge."Have you forgotten your place so sudden, Shawn?!" Anika shoute
The thumping rage in her chest made her breathing shallow. She pushed the heavy glass doors of the top floor open and marched right for Shawn’s private office, barging in. “Shawn I-” quickly, she stopped herself wishing the floor would open up and swallow her. Shoot! Did they hear her? The room was filled with senior directors from the legal department. They gathered around leaning over his desk, pointing at a stack of compliance folders. Everyone stopped and looked up to face her. Shawn's face turned pale the moment he saw Anika standing there with dark, icy eyes."Assistant Anika," Shawn said, his voice quickly tightening into his formal Chairman tone. "We are in the middle of a high-priority risk assessment. It’s going to take some time."“Of course sir. I'm so sorry, the receptionist led me in. I didn't think you were in a meeting.”“Such rude brat. And you can't even knock!” A man spat out. Anika recognized him at once. Doctor Santiago: the board's most respected representativ
“Yea you're right. It's been two days now.” Christopher said, calling Anika's attention. The twenty-four-hour deadline had run out, and Gold Logistics had completely failed their delivery deadline. The trap had snapped shut exactly as planned.Anika walked out of the kitchen, holding a steaming white mug. Christopher jumped up to his feet, his eyes tracking the way her fingers curled around the ceramic. She had made her horrible, signature coffee again—the one with the heavy scoop of salt she still firmly believed was a genius trick."Here," Anika said, handing it to him as they walked out while she locked the door. They were on their way toward the private elevator when she looked up at him, a proud smile touching her lips. "Come on. You should drink it while it's hot."Christopherr's eyes flashed to the mug in his hand, his chest expanding as he forced a smile. His eyelids fluttered for a fraction of a second, but he kept his face steady. "Thank you. It looks... great, as usual.I'
Anika looked up at Tobey, leaning back slightly in her chair. She let out a small, calm laugh and shrugged."She's just dramatic," Anika said, her voice completely even. "She’s a rich girl who watches too much TV. She likes to think she’s running things."Tobey didn't move. He kept his eyes locked on her face, waiting for more."Look, I need to finish these before Selena comes back out," Anika added, tapping her fingers against her keyboard. "We can talk about the Chairman’s family drama later.”She turned her head back to her monitor, completely cutting him off. Tobey stood there for a few more seconds, his jaw tight, before he finally walked back to his own desk. Anika let out a slow, quiet breath, her eyes tracking the blinking cursor on her screen. That was too close.Inside the Gold mansion, the living room felt small and hot. Lark was pacing by the sofa, his cheek still red and swollen from the slap. He was trying to act confident, holding the signed contract in his hand, but hi
"Get your hands off my boss's face!"Before Lark’s palm could even touch a strand of Anika’s hair, a sharp, fierce scream came from behind, shattering the room.It wasn't Christopher who charged out of the executive lift, and it wasn't Tobey stepping in from the back desk, Anika noticed. “Casey?” She said softly, not believing herself. Casey came out of nowhere, her eyes flashing with pure fury. She lunged forward, grabbing Lark's raised wrist with one hand to stop him. And before Lark could even process who was touching him, Casey swung her own hand back and slapped him hard across his face.SMACK!The sound of the slap was so loud it echoed right off the glass walls. Lark’s head violently snapped to the side, his hair flying into his eyes as he staggered backward, crashing straight into Cassandra's neat desk. His leather folder flew out of his grip, papers scattering across the floor.Anika realized then that Cassandra and Paul, along with some other friends, had been behind them
Anika used a “I'm on my period and need to change” excuse to slide away from Tobey, hurrying towards the executive lift straight up to the top floor. The moment the doors slid open, she didn't care about the empty halls. She marched right down the executive corridor, her jaw clenched in pure anger. The receptionist there, one of Tori's minion, had marked her face and used to ignore her now. Before she could reach Shawn’s office, a strong hand reached out to her. Christopher grabbed her forearm, gently pulling her inside his private suite. The heavy wooden door clicked shut behind them.Anika did not know how to feel seeing him. Her expression flickered, one moment she was excited to have run into him like this, and the next, she was furious at him. "Anika!" Christopher called out in a cheerful tone. He looked exhausted, his hair slightly messy with his tie loosened. He had clearly been up for days working. He tried to offer her his usual smooth smile. "Don't worry about the ports.
Anika just stared at him as he explained, then, to back up all of his points, he paused, opened the black bag he'd been carrying, and brought out a neat brown envelope. She frowned but collected it from him to open it. This was his proof after all. NOTICE OF INHERITANCE. To Ms. Anika Delacroix
Christopher felt his leg turn into a log of wood. He wanted to run, to hide his shameful face from her? Why was this death so personal to him? He had killed the poor woman. Suddenly, her eyes met with his. He could see fire burning in them. "You!" Rage overwhelmed her as she ran towards him. "You
Anika quickly made payment for her medicine, and on her way out, threw two pills in her mouth. She was on her way to the hospital. Heaving in a deep sigh as she arrived at the entrance, she told herself to be strong. She would call Lark again and try to...try to what? Well! She would figure someth
Anika's chest was rising and falling from fear. Why did Tori have to see her? This was so humiliating!"Uh...Tori, I-" She tried to speak but the right words just wouldn't form. "How dare you! Thief!" Before Anika could say another word, Tori jumped up on her, pulling her hair so tight that strand







