The meeting room at Maple Group’s headquarters buzzed with tension as James walked in. His usual calm demeanor was present, but his sharp eyes carried a warning: things were about to get serious. The board members, department heads, and his closest aides all knew this wasn’t just another crisis.“Reports indicate that our suppliers in the North and East regions have ceased operations,” James began, his voice steady but firm. “This isn’t a coincidence. It’s a calculated attack.”Pamela sat quietly at the far end of the table, observing her husband. Over the last few weeks, she’d seen a side of James that was more than just the quiet, unassuming man she married. Here, he was commanding and decisive a leader holding together an empire under siege.“Garth Thompson,” James continued, tapping the screen on the conference table to display a dossier. “Former COO of Meridian Ventures. He was ousted a year ago after embezzlement charges, but they were never proven. Now, he’s working with Brando

Pamela found herself standing by the window of her bedroom, staring out at the twilight sky. The golden hues of the setting sun bled into shades of purple, but the beauty of it was lost on her. Her mother’s words lingered like an unwanted shadow. “Divorce him while you still can.” She gripped the windowsill tightly, the rough wood grounding her as her mind waged war against itself. James had changed—there was no denying that. But was his transformation enough? Enough to silence the doubts Helen had sown in her heart? Enough to justify staying in a marriage that had always felt fragile? A light knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see James standing there, his tie gone, his shirt sleeves rolled up. His expression was soft, cautious. “Dinner’s ready,” he said. Pamela nodded, but she didn’t move. James hesitated before stepping closer. “You’ve been quiet all evening.” “I’m just thinking,” she replied, her voice distant. “About what?” She hesitated, h

Helen Shaw paced back and forth in the living room, her brows furrowed deeply, her heels clicking with every step. The Shaw residence had always been a place of calm and opulence, but now it felt more like a battlefield. Helen’s sharp gaze settled on Pamela, who sat quietly on the couch, her hands clasped tightly on her lap.“I’ve told you this before, Pamela,” Helen began, her tone cold, though laced with feigned concern. “That man has only been lucky so far. The Maple Group will crumble, and where will that leave you? I won’t sit back and watch you ruin your life.”Pamela swallowed hard, her heart twisting. She had heard this speech countless times over the past few weeks, and each time, it left her more torn. How could she explain to her mother what she truly felt? How could she admit that, despite Helen’s protests, she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving James?“Mother, please,” Pamela said softly. “You don’t understand—”“I don’t understand?” Helen snapped, her voice rising. “I

The Shaw mansion stood like a monument to arrogance, its towering columns and gleaming facade seemingly designed to intimidate anyone who approached. James didn’t blink as he gazed at it. He had entered these doors countless times, always as the man Helen Shaw tolerated out of necessity—never out of respect. That was about to change. Pamela shifted nervously beside him as they approached the grand entrance. The murmurs of laughter and the clinking of glasses spilled out faintly through the windows. She tightened her grip on his arm. “James,” she whispered, glancing up at him. “Promise me you won’t” “I won’t embarrass you,” James said softly, cutting her off before she could finish. His voice was calm, soothing, but there was something steely underneath it that Pamela couldn’t place. “Trust me.” Pamela searched his face for a moment, chewing her bottom lip. He wasn’t the same man who used to stand awkwardly at family gatherings, shrinking under the weight of their ridicule. There

The Maple Group boardroom had never been more alive. Executives, department heads, and international advisors gathered around the long mahogany table, listening intently as Victor laid out the blueprint for James’s latest initiative. Maps of target regions and digital projections flickered on the screen behind him, displaying key growth metrics and potential market analyses.Victor’s voice carried with a clarity that commanded attention. “We’re looking at markets in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America. These regions are brimming with untapped potential. By establishing a presence now, we position Maple Group as a leader in industries ranging from renewable energy to logistics.”James leaned forward, his expression calm but commanding. “This isn’t just expansion—it’s reinforcement. If Garth or anyone else tries to undermine us, they’ll face resistance on multiple fronts. We won’t just withstand their attacks; we’ll render them irrelevant.”The room fell silent for a momen