The next afternoon, Javier found himself inside an exclusive tailoring boutique, standing in front of three full-length mirrors as the tailor-made the final adjustments to his suit.Valeria sat gracefully on a velvet chair nearby, crossing her legs. Her eyes scanned Javier’s appearance in the suit, which made him look completely different.Different enough to leave her momentarily speechless.Javier had the perfect body proportions—broad shoulders, a strong frame, and striking features that enhanced his naturally handsome face.His well-maintained physique made him effortlessly appealing to women.Even though he was a failed doctor, his presence alone gave him an undeniable charm.But only for amusement.Valeria had personally chosen this place, ensuring that every detail of his attire was flawless.Javier smirked slightly—he was aware that no amount of tailoring could change who he was at his core.“Not bad,” she finally commented, lifting her gaze. “At least you don’t look like you j

"Stop everything right now!"All heads snapped toward the entrance.A heavy tension filled the boutique as the imposing figure of Sylas strode in, his presence commanding immediate attention.His sharp eyes burned with fury, zeroing in on the police officers who were gripping Javier’s arms as if dragging a criminal to his execution.Sylas’ jaw clenched, his muscles taut with anger."What are you doing?"His voice was cold, slicing through the thick air like a blade."How dare you drag him like an animal?!"The boutique manager huffed, his nose flaring as he jabbed a finger toward Javier."This man stole from our boutique! A gold clip worth tens of millions! A thief like him deserves to be in prison."Mateo, standing smugly to the side, chuckled mockingly."Come on, let’s not act surprised. A broke loser like him? What choice does he have but to steal? Shameless enough to stuff his pockets just to fill his empty stomach."Javier exhaled slowly, his expression unbothered, but the sharp

Finally, the night of Valeria's birthday party took place.A grand, extravagant affair where the fate of the Solano Company’s presidency would be sealed.Valeria Solano stood tall in the centre of the magnificent hall, dressed in an elegant crimson gown that shimmered under the chandelier’s glow.Her nerves were well hidden beneath an impenetrable mask of confidence.Tonight, she needed the backing of the Rowen and Rodrigo families.Javier had assured her of their support, but doubt still clawed at her mind.Hudson Solano, her uncle, approached with his son, Marcellus, both donning smug expressions that made Valeria’s stomach churn.Their presence alone was enough to sour the taste of her celebratory champagne.“Well, well, where is the legendary Javier Everhart?”Hudson’s voice dripped with mockery.“One would think that on such an important night, your... lover,”he smirked, dragging out the word,“would be by your side. Or is he too busy scraping pennies to afford the cab fare?”Ma

A thick silence blanketed the luxurious hall.Bryan Dormino’s words hung in the air, heavy and ominous."Let’s see who truly deserves the throne."The statement was casual, almost amused, but its weight crushed the atmosphere in an instant.Hudson’s triumphant grin widened as if he had already won.Marcellus stood beside him, arms crossed, watching Valeria like a predator waiting for its prey to crumble.Meanwhile, Valeria stood tall, her spine straight despite the rising storm inside her.Her hands were still clenched at her sides, but her expression remained eerily calm.“Interesting choice of words, Mr. Dormino,” Valeria finally said, her voice smooth. “But this isn’t a game of thrones. This is business.”Bryan smirked, his sharp blue eyes gleaming with amusement.“Business, war, power—aren’t they all the same thing in the end?”Hudson chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.“I must agree. That’s why I believe a leader should have connections. Influence. And, of course, powerful allies

Javier frowned. “What do you mean, ‘I’m the man he shouldn’t have underestimated’?” His voice was steady, but there was an undeniable edge to it.Valeria’s grandfather, Sebastian Solano, studied Javier for a long moment before sighing.“You don’t remember, do you?”Javier’s jaw tensed.“Remember what?”Sebastian chuckled softly, though there was something heavy in his expression.“It’s not surprising. You were just a child when it happened.”Valeria inhaled sharply.She knew what was coming.Hudson scoffed, regaining his confidence.“Oh, what is this nonsense now?” He rolled his eyes. “Are you about to tell us some long-forgotten fairy tale?”Sebastian’s gaze snapped to him, sharp and commanding.“Silence, Hudson.”Hudson stiffened, his mouth shutting instantly.Sebastian turned back to Javier, his voice calm but firm.“Your father and I were close friends, Javier. Very close.”Javier’s fingers twitched.His father?The memories were hazy at best, fragments of a past that felt out of