Everything that had just happened still felt like a dream. Even after Anastasia and Alex had left the celebration, they still couldn’t contain their joy.First, they imagined how they would start living their lives from now on. Nancy, who once controlled every move of the company, would now be scrambling to contact them. She would call repeatedly, begging them to save the company from its impending downfall.They shared a smirk. “Please, Juliet,” they both began, imitating Nancy’s frantic voice, “you know you’re my daughter. I raised you with my own hands; come through for your family now, or else you’re doomed!” They burst out laughing, the tension melting away in shared humor.Next, they imagined the oncoming flood of requests from other companies, desperate to partner with them now that they had sealed a deal with Sebastian Southlake. After years of struggling for recognition, they could finally envision a future filled with growth and success. Their minds raced with possibilities,

"Anastasia, my dear, I think you should consider shifting your wedding date to before or after the 8th," Juliet suggested over the phone, her voice laced with urgency.But she stopped there, offering no further explanation.Anastasia’s brows knitted in confusion. Why was her mother suggesting a date change? She motioned for Alex to come closer, putting the call on speaker.“What did you say, Mother?” Anastasia asked, as if she hadn’t heard correctly the first time.Juliet took a deep breath. “Anastasia, you understand how important public image is to our family, don’t you? A billionaire from overseas is coming to Southlake to hold his wedding on the 8th—the same date as yours. If that happens, no one will be talking about your wedding. All the attention and the lavish display we’d planned will be overshadowed. It’ll be a missed opportunity for us, for the business.”Anastasia heard the worry in her mother’s voice, a tone she knew too well. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to feel the s

Warren Buffett was a well-known figure in Southlake, even though he didn’t live there. His reputation had preceded him. Everyone knew his face, and that certainly included Alex and Anastasia.When Warren walked toward them, he did so with an air of arrogance, his sunglasses perched coolly on his nose, and a smirk playing on his lips. His posture, the way he carried himself, said more than words ever could. Alex felt a shift in the air as soon as he laid eyes on him, and Anastasia, too, sensed it—this was no ordinary encounter. They didn’t jump to conclusions, but they needed to confirm their suspicions.“Hello, Mr. Warren.” Alex extended his hand, trying to be civil, though something in his gut told him this would not go smoothly.Warren scanned Alex from head to toe without saying a word, his gaze dismissive. He smirked again, brushing past him as if Alex was nothing more than an obstacle in his path. He reached the front desk without even a glance back.“I trust this hall is still r

Warren’s mind was in turmoil. He began to sweat immediately. He couldn’t understand what had just happened. “Did they actually cancel my order and process my refund?” he asked himself again.He had always been at the top of his game, year after year, second after second. Never had there been a time when his transaction was refunded. In fact, whenever he made a transaction, the receiver always sent him a thank-you email.“How the heck did this happen?” He muttered again.His confusion was palpable on his face as he immediately turned the wheel 360 degrees and accelerated back in the direction of the event hall.In less than five minutes, he arrived at the event hall, his car tires screeching on the ground and smoke from his exhaust marking his arrival.As soon as he stepped out of the car and walked quickly to the reception, he saw Alex and Anastasia, who were just about to leave the building.Seeing them and noting that no one else was at the front desk except the receptionist, he won

For years, Daniel’s life had revolved around one thing: proving his worth to his father and grandmother. Every decision, every sacrifice, was made with their family empire in mind. It was no wonder Nancy saw him as her favorite—his devotion mirrored her own.Nancy observed Daniel with a glint of something like hope in her eye. Beneath the confidence he wore so well, she could see the weight of the ideas he was carrying.“What do you have in mind?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper. Daniel inhaled deeply, steadying himself. His words, when they came, were calm but edged with a hint of ruthlessness.“This won’t be easy, Grandmother,” he said, turning to her. His gaze was unflinching. “Once we start, we can’t afford to hesitate. Are you ready for that?”Nancy’s lips curved into a slight smirk, a shadow of her younger self slipping through her polished exterior. In her prime, she’d played this game more ruthlessly than anyone. A hard-earned empire had meant desperate measures, and she