Patricia sat in her dimly lit study, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished mahogany desk. The room was filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, but the bitter taste of resentment lingered in her mind. Weeks of scheming with Ava had led them to this point. The groundwork had been laid: whispers in the right ears, planted doubts in the minds of the board members, and calculated rumours designed to paint Hunter as a ruthless and manipulative leader. They were confident that the seeds they had sown would soon bear fruit. But Patricia couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at her. For all their efforts, Hunter had yet to show any signs of cracking. Across town, Ava was busy playing her part. She had reconnected with some of Hunter’s old acquaintances from college and strategically let slip comments about how he was always distant, cold, and more interested in personal gain than genuine relationships. “He’s always been like that.” she would say with a practiced sigh,

The day had started like any other, with the usual bustle of meetings, reports, and phone calls. Hunter was finally beginning to move past the paranoia that had lingered since the drugging incident two months ago. His grandfather James, and even his father Michael had both been furious when they found out what had happened, demanding tighter security and investigations. Even Patricia, who had never hidden her disdain for Hunter, had shown genuine shock when she heard the news. For a while, Hunter had ruled out the possibility of any family member being involved. But despite the lingering questions, things had finally started to settle down, and Hunter was slowly easing back into his normal routine. The office buzzed with activity as the day unfolded, and for a moment, it seemed like the shadow of the past was finally fading away. That is, until he heard the commotion outside his office. A loud cry echoed through the hallway, followed by the sound of frantic sobbing. Hunter frow

Ava was meticulous when it came to planning her moves, and this was no different. She knew how to play her cards, and the game she was setting up with Hunter was no exception. Just a week after confirming her pregnancy, Ava discovered that the child was the result of a short-lived fling she’d had a couple of with some guy. Rather than letting this inconvenience derail her plans, she saw it as an opportunity to further tighten her grip on Hunter. Hunter had made it clear that he didn’t want anyone to know about the pregnancy until he was ready, but Ava had no intention of keeping that promise. She needed leverage, and what better way than to stir the pot before Hunter could even get his bearings? Ava sat in her spacious, meticulously decorated apartment, scrolling through her contacts until she landed on her mother’s number. She hesitated for a brief second, then hit dial. The phone barely rang twice before her mother picked up, her voice dripping with concern. “Ava, darling! Ho