Daniel's heart raced as he stood before the imposing Johnson mansion. The grandeur of the house and the sleek, expensive cars lining the driveway made him feel small and out of place. He glanced down at the swollen envelope in his hand, its edges frayed from his anxious grip. “Is this really the right thing to do?” he muttered to himself, shifting his gaze between the mansion and the envelope. “Why won’t you just go in?” Ava asked, her voice a mix of concern and gentle frustration. She stood close, her hand warm on his arm. Daniel forced a smile, though his nerves betrayed him. “It’s nothing. Just a bit of a… distraction, I guess.” Ava’s gaze softened. She knew Daniel was struggling. Despite her efforts to support him, the Johnsons’ disdain was palpable, largely because he was unemployed and poor—two things the Johnson family held in contempt. Ava, however, seemed unfazed by his situation. She pressed the doorbell, and the heavy wooden doors swung open to reveal a woman who looked

Daniel returned to the apartment he and Ava shared. It was late, and he unlocked the door quietly, closing it behind him. As he turned, he saw Ava asleep on the couch. She must have fallen asleep waiting for him. Gently, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down carefully, then joined her, exhaustion taking over.The next morning, Daniel woke up to the sound of Ava getting dressed. She smiled at him. “I made breakfast for you,” she said softly.“Thanks,” he replied, grateful. They both headed to work, and as she left, Daniel checked his pocket. The platinum card was still there. $1.5 billion. It was surreal.Later that afternoon, Daniel decided to bring lunch to Ava. As he walked, he noticed the black Rolls-Royce Phantom following him again. He knew it was Chen. Ignoring it, he arrived at Johnson Family Holdings, the company Ava worked for, which managed and invested in various industries.Inside, the receptionist glanced at him disdainfully. “The useles

As Daniel sat in the waiting area on the ground floor of the T.T.I. building, his patience was wearing thin. He glanced at his watch for what felt like the hundredth time, his eyes drifting over the sleek, modern design of the lobby. The polished floors and glass walls seemed to close in on him, amplifying his impatienceHis thoughts were jolted when he saw Barry stepping out of a sleek red Ferrari. Barry’s impeccably tailored suit and confident stride stood in stark contrast to Daniel’s casual attire. Daniel’s eyes narrowed as Barry approached, the disdain in his expression unmistakable.“Well, well, well,” Barry drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he spotted Daniel. “If it isn’t Daniel the useless. What’s a lowlife like you doing here at T.T.I.? Came to beg for scraps?”Daniel’s jaw tightened. He tried to keep his voice steady, but his irritation was evident. “I’m tired of your face, Barry. I thought T.T.I. had cut ties with you.”Barry’s smirk widened. “I’m here to meet the

Ava’s world seemed to crumble as Mrs. Elizabeth’s words sank in. *Bruce?* The name reverberated in her mind, disbelief clouding her thoughts. This was meant to be her moment, but now it was slipping away.Daniel, standing beside her, mirrored her shock. “What?” he whispered, his voice barely audible.Bruce, however, was basking in the spotlight, accepting congratulations and handshakes with smug confidence. Ava’s vision blurred as her heart sank. All her hard work had been for nothing. With tears threatening to spill, she turned and walked out of the room, her shoulders trembling.Daniel watched her go, feeling a wave of frustration. This wasn’t fair. Ava had deserved this chance. He glanced at Maria, who was watching with a look of pity.“If only the CEO of T.T.I. were here,” Maria said, her tone dramatic. “Maybe he could help Ava.”Daniel’s eyes lit up. That was it. The CEO’s presence might turn things around. He excused himself from Maria and moved to a quiet corner, pulling out hi

*I have to find a way to convince Ava not to attend the gala,* he thought. *If she goes, everything could fall apart.* The urgency of the situation gnawed at him, he tried to push the thoughts aside, focusing instead on Ava’s upcoming birthday.Daniel stood in Ava’s apartment, leaning against the doorframe of her bedroom. Ava stood before the mirror, admiring herself in a new gown, the deep red fabric clinging perfectly to her figure."How do I look?" she asked, turning to face him with a smile.Daniel blinked, momentarily lost in thought before snapping back to reality. "You look... amazing," he said, his voice a bit distant. The gown was stunning, but all he could think about was the gala.Ava beamed at the compliment. "I thought it’d be perfect for the gala. I have to attend, Daniel. It’s the biggest event of the year, and I’ll finally get to see who the new CEO is."Daniel sighed, struggling to mask his frustration. *How do I stop her?* But before he could find the words, a knock