Marcus defended me—until his career started rising.
Success changed him.
Confidence turned into entitlement.
Then Vanessa appeared.
Officially an advisor.
Unofficially… much more.
Marcus stopped pretending.
I became “difficult.”
Lillian called me controlling.
They called me “lucky to be here.”
I stayed calm.
They mistook it for weakness.
That night proved them wrong.
“Who did you just call?” Vanessa asked, smirking.
“Give her money and send her away,” Lillian added.
Then the phones started ringing.
Marcus checked his—his access was gone.
Vanessa’s contract—terminated instantly.
Within minutes, security and legal entered the room.
They didn’t look at Marcus.
They looked at me.
“Ms. Hale, everything is ready.”
Silence fell.
Daniel appeared on the screen.
