2025-03-28 01:47:45CHAPTER 3
Zenith Lux is the supreme business body, with its net worth increasing every day.
Its assets are over seven hundred billion dollars at the moment.
This is where all elite and booming businesses must register and pass through before they can thrive.
It was the gateway to power, the validation of true success.
Then, Helena left the room to excuse her.
After she left, Tatiana thought of both Desmond and Alexander.
The former was nothing compared to the latter. Alexander was wealthy to a fault, and Desmond was as poor as a church rat.
Tatiana couldn't believe she had dated such a man for years. There had been many wealthy suitors lining up for her.
Is it Kingsley Wellington we should talk about?
The eldest son of a well-known millionaire family group, the Wellingtons.
The Wellingtons were one of the top wealthy families in Halcyon City, although not as wealthy as the Zacks.
Kingsley Wellington had once wanted to marry Tatiana a few years back, but with the intervention of Lord George, he insisted that Tatiana marry Desmond.
A decade and a few months ago, Lord George had decided to marry Tatiana to Desmond because he saved Tatiana from a mere death experience which she might not have survived if it were not for Desmond’s very fast intervention.
He did that to appreciate Desmond for his kind action and felt his granddaughter was in safe hands.
If not for her grandfather, Tatiana would have been with a wealthy man by now.
Damn it!
As she turned to leave, her gaze dropped to the floor.
Scattered among the mess were a few of Desmond’s belongings.
The things he had left behind in his rush to leave the villa. Looking at them disgusted her.
Clicking her heels against the floor, she kicked the items aside like they were garbage.
That was when she noticed a gold-carved pendant peeking out from the pile of his stuff.
"Oh my God, did he try to steal my pendant?" Her heart skipped a beat as she bent down, grabbing it for a closer look.
"Ohh… it’s…"
Tatiana hurried to her jewelry box, where she always kept her pendant. It was still there, untouched, lying exactly as she had left it.
"Really?" Her brows furrowed, she was confused.
A wave of unease washed over her.
If her pendant was right where she left it, then where did Desmond get this?
Only she and her best friend, Camilla Frederick, had owned such pendants. They had gotten them together that year.
Could it be…? No, impossible.
She had never introduced Camilla to Desmond. They had never met, at least, not that she knew of.
So how could this happen?
As for Camilla, she's the eldest daughter of the Frederick Group. She looks very good and has a captivating figure. She is also from a prestigious family.
Although the Fredericks weren’t one of the top wealthy families in Halcyon City, they were still well-known and highly respected for their connections and influence.
So how could she have something to do with trash like Desmond?
It must have been that Desmond had gotten the pendant through dirty means.
First, he was a snitch; next, he stole her friend's pendant.
“Gosh! Very irritating!”
Because she was curious, she ransacked through the rest of his abandoned belongings.
That was when she found something even more unusual, a golden paper envelope.
It was distinct, unlike anything she had seen before.
Carefully, she picked it up with just her thumb and index finger, as though it were contaminated.
With precise movements, she opened it, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the contents.
The letter inside bore an official letterhead—Nicholas Everstone, Olympus Falls.
Her breath hitched.
The message instructed Desmond to return home whenever he wished, to take over Zenith Lux.
Her eyes darted to the details that accompanied it.
A black card granting access to over 200 million dollars, a VIP pass for first-class travel, and private lounge access…
And then, she laughed loudly.
"Ki ki… What a joke! Clown of the year!"
This was beyond absurd.
Nicholas Everstone?
The man who stood at the apex of wealth and power? How could he possibly know “a nobody” like Desmond?
“And Zenith Lux?”
She burst into another fit of laughter, this time around, it almost made her fall, as she staggered as she laughed.
“Uhh ki ki ki”
The sheer ridiculousness of it all. It was almost impressive. A penniless nobody thought he could own something of that caliber?
Does he even deserve it?
Absolutely not.
He must have faked all of this, carefully crafting the details to live in his little dream.
The height of his delusion!
If he had dreamed of being a gatekeeper at Zenith Lux, maybe, just maybe, he could have fooled someone.
But this?
This was beyond laughable.
With a sneer, she tore the paper into pieces, shredding every last bit until it was nothing but scattered fragments in her hands.
Then, with a flick of her wrist, she tossed it into the trash.
She would sooner believe a pig turned into a prince than believe this nonsense was real.
And just like that, she erased the absurdity from her mind.
But there was still one thing that needed answers. The pendant!
She would have to ask Camilla about it later.
For now, she had somewhere to be.
Tatiana glanced at the mirror, adjusting her dress one last time, ensuring every inch of fabric hugged her in the right places.
Perfection was key, and she had mastered it.
Just then, a loud honk echoed from the gate, interrupting her thoughts.
"I'm coming!" she called out, her voice carrying through the room.
Alexander was already outside, waiting to pick her up, his usual confidence evident even from a distance.
Straightening her posture, she lightly dusted her face with her powder brush, ensuring she looked absolutely perfect for the outing ahead.
She stepped outside, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor, exuding elegance and authority.
"Hello, buddy," she greeted, her voice bright yet laced with the charm she knew worked best.
"Darling princess," Alexander grinned, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe, scrutinizing her outfit with obvious approval.
"Always looking good.” He smiled.
He stepped forward and opened the car door for her, a gesture she had grown accustomed to from men of his caliber.
Without hesitation, she slid into the front seat.
With that, they drove off to the venue. A new chapter in her life awaited.
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Meanwhile, as Camilla rested on the sleek metallic chair, she slowly glanced through her phone. What she saw was astonishing.She squinted her eyes, reading again to be sure she wasn’t imagining things.“How?” she whispered in surprise.“Just now, the Zack Group has been completely canceled from partnering with Zenith Lux.” Her voice trembled with disbelief.“Has the new president found them unworthy? Or did Mr. Harrison just decide this out of the blue?” she muttered to herself, trying to process the situation.She kept thinking about how everything had shifted so drastically—from Zack Group being at the top to getting demoted, and now vanishing completely.How was this even possible? She couldn’t fathom it.“See this,” Camilla turned her phone towards Desmond, urging him to take a look.Desmond already knew what she wanted to show him. He took a quick glance and nodded with a knowing smile.“Are you sure you saw what I just showed you? They’ve been dismissed by Zenith Lux!” she said
CHAPTER 11
Moments later, Alex and Tatiana entered Zenith Lux, heading straight to Harrison’s office.Just then, they spotted Camilla in front of the elevator, waiting for it to arrive. She was on her way to finalizing Fredericks' documentation, securing the top spot on the ultra-exclusive list.Without hesitation, Alex moved toward her, his anger boiling. If looks could kill, Camilla wouldn’t be standing upright with the way Alexander looked at her while approaching. Alex was burning to the core. If water were poured on him, it would sizzle away instantly.“You… just tell me how.”Camilla stiffened. “Excuse me?”She knew what the Zacks were like, but she hadn’t expected an attack this early.Alex smirked, giving a slow, mocking clap. “Tell me, how does it feel to climb to the top overnight?”“What’s with all this embarrassment? Are you here to fight me or…” Camilla responded.“Oh, don’t play innocent,” he sneered. “We both know your family isn’t worthy of that position. So, tell me, what e
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 10Camilla walked out of the office, her steps slow and heavy, as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. The rejection stung, but she forced herself to keep her head high. She had tried her best, there was nothing more she could do.As she reached the elevator, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She hesitated, pulling it out. An unknown number.“Hello?” she answered, her voice low.“Miss Camilla, please return to Mr. Harrison’s office immediately,” the voice instructed.Her breath caught. Was this another rejection? Another reason to humiliate her? But she had no choice. Turning around, she retraced her steps, her heart hammering with uncertainty.Back in the office, Desmond had already instructed Harrison to accept the Fredericks as new partners.As Camilla got back to the office, she hesitated.“Mr. Harrison?” she asked, her voice guarded.“Yes. Miss Camilla, I need to review your file once again.”For a second, she didn’t understand. Then realization dawned.
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 9At that moment, Desmond spoke up.“Why not attend to her, Mr. Harrison?” Desmond said, thinking he could probably recollect better if he fixed his gaze on her for a longer time.However, he wanted to know why she was here and why she was panicking. From her actions, something serious must be happening to her.Desmond would be glad to assist her.If she was the lady he thought, good for him.Otherwise, she would be lucky.“Yes, sir,” Arthur responded. Like a well-oiled machine, he quickly rushed to attend to Camilla.“How may I help you, Miss Camilla?”“Uhm… sir, I’m here to bring to your notice that the Frederick Group has not been placed, but we have passed the five crucial stages. Perhaps there was a mix-up,” she said, her voice trembling.“Oh? Can I have proof of that?” Arthur inquired.“Here it is, sir,” Camilla said, stretching forward the spiral-banded documents in her hand, which clearly stated where the Frederick Group had passed the stages. Her hands were slightl
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 8“I can see and appreciate your effort towards getting it done, but you can keep it with you for the meantime,” Desmond said.At the hearing of this, Harrison almost panicked again. He thought Desmond was annoyed, but was only stylishly responding calmly.“Sir, I'm sorry. I'm here to do whatever you command and would not in any way stress you or intentionally do what you would not like. I'm so sorry, Sir. Nothing of such would happen again,” Arthur pleaded.“If you do not mind, I can help deliver it to the owner's doorstep in less than thirty minutes. I promise to meet up this time around, Sir,” he continued, fixing his gaze on Desmond to make sure he read all his body language, trying to understand what it meant.“It’s fine, don’t bother. It’s just not needed anymore,” Desmond said.“Be calm. You don’t have issues with me, I assure you,” Desmond added, his tone cool.“Uhm, I need to ask about something quick” “Yes, Sir,” Harrison replied, leaning closer to Desmond as thoug
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 7The slight scar on Desmond’s head was the result of hitting his head on a rock-like stone at the orphanage home. He had pushed Tatiana away from danger that year, saving her life. After receiving treatment, only a faint mark remained.Oh my God! The very person he had nearly lost his life for, risking everything to rescue her, enduring the pain of the injury, and suffering through the treatment, had not only betrayed him but had also laughed at what she caused. If fate had been unkind, it could have been her life lost instead.He had shielded her from death, yet she showed nothing but ungratefulness. The cheating, the divorce, and now this? Laughing at him, mocking his efforts, belittling him as if he were worthless?Desmond instantly shook off the thought. It was all in the past and no longer mattered. What mattered now was finding the one who had been there for him in his darkest times."Since all your big talk has led nowhere, it only proves that you’re just an empty
