Betty wiped off the tears from her cheeks for the third time since she entered the room. She coughed harshly while staring at her mother's eyes as if looking for an escape from the pain that twisted her heart."You have to do something, Mum! I can't keep doing that job. Have you seen my hands? They look so old and ugly!" Betty sobbed, stretching her palms.Summer sighed. "Is anyone forcing you to mop and clean the floors of a company that was once yours? Are you being blackmailed? You haven't opened up to me enough, Betty. I don't know where to help you from,"Betty swallowed.The tears froze in her throat and she blinked rapidly.That's right, reality sucks. Exposing the truth about the embezzlement would mean serious trouble. If Summer made a rash move, then Lucian and that blasted sister of his would not hesitate to expose the truth.In the end, she would be the fucking loser."Are you okay, sweetheart? Is there anything I should know?" Summer's voice crashed into her thoughts and

"Foolish brat! She won't be able to use her head for the next three months. Next time, she'll know better than to cross me," Betty laughed crookedly at the sound of Rose's loud thud on the floor and scream.Without wasting time, she hurried to Rose's desk and began searching for her records book. It didn't take long before she found it placed meticulously under a stack of other books."Gotcha!" Betty whistled in excitement before heading for the door. She swung it open in a hurry, but the next thing she knew was her head banging hard against the slippery floor and the book flying out of her hand."Ouch!" Betty winced in agony as a slithering pain sliced through her temples. She struggled to her feet almost immediately, but slipped and fell to the floor again, this time more harder than the first."What the hell…!" Betty groaned, massaging the back of her head viciously. The pain was blinding and a cry escaped her lips as she staggered to her feet again, her eyes searching for Rose."L

Summer stood there frozen on the spot like a bucket of ice had been emptied on her. She blinked rapidly, not sure she had seen or even heard well.Lucian won? How?!Donald had promised her the victory just the other day.So what the fucked changed?Summer's fist curled by her side as her body shook with the shock. It was hard to breathe, but it was even harder to breathe when Lucian locked eyes with her and he smirked."From our investigations, we found out that Mr. Lucian's claims were correct. Donald, the head of the investigation bureau, sold his integrity for money. He collected bribes to keep an unworthy company on the list. As we speak, he is in police custody where he'll be transferred to court to face the punishments for his actions…."Before Darren could complete his statement, the crowd roared with excitement. Many raised their glasses of wine in the air. As for Josephine, she was more than thrilled. Never had she felt this complete and excited."Mum…what's happening?! How i

Summer's fist clenched by her side. "Are you mocking me right now?""Does it sound like a mockery?" Irex said in surprise. "I'm sorry, but that wasn't my intention,""Then why are you here, Irex? Surely, it can't be a coincidence," Summer said."I came as soon as I saw the news. It must be so hard for you, but how could Lucian do such a humiliating thing to you? I'm beginning to feel like his hatred for you runs deep. Cutting off your business partners? That's suicide,""What's done is done," Summer whispered.Irex raised his brows. "Concerning the launch, I'm…afraid my plans may get busted. Lucian is not someone to be underestimated. He might disgrace me before the whole fucking world just like he has done to you,""I see you came to wash your hands off," Betty snorted. "You took whatever he said on that damn stage seriously,"Irex turned to Betty, noticing her for the first time. "And who is she?""My daughter," Summer said and watched as Irex simply acknowledged Betty with a nod."

The two ladies stared at Lucian suspiciously, until Rose spoke. "What do you mean? This is a tasty-looking cake and I know it'd taste better down my throat, so what are you saying?""I don't trust him," Lucian said, pinching the bridge of his nose.Josephine pressed her lips. "Listen, if this is about Irex's advances towards me, then…""That's the thing," Lucian interrupted. "His claims of change feel surreal and that's why I decided to test him. If he passes the test, then I won't have a reason to doubt him ever again, but if he fails the test, then I might want to teach him the consequences of playing games with me,""I still don't understand what you're talking about, Lucian," Josephine said.In response, Lucian reached out under the table and brought out another box of cake, a replica of the one Irex had given them. Josephine and Rose left their mouths hanging open in shock."How…""I had Anthony place the cake under the table prior to the beginning of the event" Lucian interrupte