Tanya’s expression stiffened, the color slowly draining from her face.
Her father continued, his tone grave, each word landing like a weight.
"If those board mbers decide to push you out and sohow reclaim the shares under your na, I will lose my safety net. And if you continue creating trouble at Alex’s corporation, there is a high chance we will lose their backing as well."
He paused, rubbing his temple as though the pressure of the situation had begun to physically hurt him.
"Without Alex’s corporation supporting us, our company will keep sliding toward bankruptcy. Eventually, we will have no choice but to file for it."
The room slled faintly of old paper and brewed tea gone cold, an oddly suffocating scent that made Tanya’s chest tighten.
She lowered her head, lips pressed together, unable to argue.
Seeing her silent, her father’s voice softened.
"You are an independent woman. Why must you remain so fixated on him?"
Tanya looked up, her eyes trembling. "He was the first person who ever treated well..."
Her father raised a hand to stop her.
"You will et many capable people in your life. Do not mistake timing for destiny. You are clinging to Alex because you have not seen enough of the world yet."
He leaned back and sighed.
"It would be better if you went abroad for so ti. Live properly. Experience things beyond this place."
Tanya stared at him in disbelief. "Are you sending away just because of Alex?"
He shook his head firmly.
"No. I am doing this because I do not want to watch my daughter spiral out of control."
The words broke whatever restraint she had left. Tears burst from her eyes, hot and uncontrollable, slipping down her cheeks.
................................
The very next day, her father arranged everything for her departure abroad.
No one outside the family knew what had truly happened. To outsiders, it simply looked like Tanya had gone overseas for further opportunities.
Two years later, when she returned, she spoke of Alex with indifference, even mild disdain. "He was nothing more than a foolish crush of mine," she would say casually, as if speaking of an embarrassing mistake.
She had moved on.
Later in life, she even married soone else.
That, however, was a story for another ti.
......................................
After Tanya left, Alex and Adeline quietly began planning their future together, their days filled with cautious happiness.
anwhile, sowhere else, another pair was preparing for an important turning point.
Jules and Lucas had decided to get engaged.
The timing was deliberate. Nick’s company was under imnse pressure, tangled in crisis after crisis.
Once they learned of this turmoil, they chose to move quickly, unwilling to give Nick even the chance to appear at their celebration.
A fast engagent ant no interference.
When both families heard their plan, they readily agreed. Even Aurora supported the decision without hesitation.
............................................
The engagent hall was soon transford.
Soft golden lights reflected off crystal decorations, and the scent of fresh lilies and roses filled the air.
Aurora personally oversaw every detail, inviting all her friends, including Mia and Selena, and even a few of their old kindergarten companions.
Once the arrangents were complete, she went to get ready.
Because of her vivid red hair, she chose sothing that complented it, a beautiful red-and-white floral dress that flowed lightly around her fra.
After changing into it, she stood before the mirror, smoothing the fabric and smiling at her reflection.
She snapped a photo and sent it to her boyfriend before heading to the venue.
Upon arrival, she imdiately began inspecting everything again, ensuring every arrangent was perfect.
Only after confirming everything did she finally sit down and check her phone.
On the screen, reports about Nick’s company appeared one after another.
Their operations were collapsing under mounting pressure.
Aurora’s lips curved faintly.
Of course, she had orchestrated it.
Nick and Jerry had believed they could easily crush her family, but they had chosen the wrong opponent.
Now they were scrambling daily for funding just to keep their company alive.
One article ntioned Nick desperately courting investors and drinking himself sick during negotiations.
Aurora felt a deep, cold satisfaction.
’This man tried to ruin my second brother... and even targeted my eldest brother and his wife. How could I possibly let him go?’
Her gaze hardened. ’Soone like him deserves to rot at the very bottom.’
Just then, movent at the entrance caught her attention.
A beautiful woman walked in.
Aurora imdiately recognized her.
Maya.
Her eyes narrowed. As far as she rembered, Maya had not been invited.
’What is she doing here?’
Aurora stood up, but before she could approach, Adriana reached Maya first.
Maya paused, then smiled gracefully. "Is sothing wrong?"
Adriana returned the smile, though there was no warmth in it. "I do not recall inviting you."
Maya chuckled lightly. "Of course, you are busy. I ca as a friend of a friend."
"If that is the case," Adriana replied sweetly, "I will cancel whichever friend invited you."
Maya’s expression finally faltered. "Why are you being so hostile?"
Adriana’s smile sharpened. "Anyone would be hostile upon seeing soone who has repeatedly made things difficult for their sister-in-law."
Maya instantly understood.
Adriana already knew.
At those confrontational words, Maya calmly sat down in a nearby chair, crossing her legs with deliberate elegance.
She looked at Adriana as though humoring a clown.
"I understand you want to protect your sister-in-law," Maya said coolly.
"But do you even know what kind of person she truly is?"
Adriana waved her hand dismissively.
"I am not interested in hearing stories about my own family from an outsider."
She gestured toward the entrance.
"It would be better if you leave now. Otherwise, I will have to call security. That would be far more humiliating."
Her face held a trace of mock pity as the music from inside the hall continued to play, cheerful and bright, in stark contrast to the tension gathering at the doorway.
When Maya heard that, she narrowed her eyes slightly, a smirk forming on her lips as if she had just heard an amusing joke.
"You should not get so cocky," she said, her tone sweet but edged with steel. "A little humility would suit you better."
Adriana chuckled, completely unfazed. "I could say the sa to you."
Maya’s fingers curled tightly into her palm, her nails pressing into her skin, yet the smile on her face never disappeared.
"I truly love your sense of humor," she replied, every word sounding polite and insincere at the sa ti.
She stood up slowly and looked Adriana straight in the eye. "I will return soon," she declared, "and next ti, I will co with soone far more powerful."
Adriana did not even blink.
"Whoever that powerful person is," she answered calmly, "I will decline their invitation directly."
Her voice turned colder.
"And let make this very clear. If you dare to do anything against Jules again, I will personally make sure you regret every single move you make."
Maya’s fist tightened further.
’This woman, whose salary is not even comparable to mine, thinks she can threaten ?’ she thought bitterly. ’Fine. Let us see who regrets their words.’
Without another word, she turned and walked toward the exit, heels striking the floor sharply.
As she stepped outside, she rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "What terrible luck."
Inside, Adriana let out a quiet sigh and resud overseeing the preparations as though nothing had happened.
Aurora, who had witnessed the entire exchange from a distance, watched Adriana with an appreciative glance.
’She handled that perfectly,’ she thought.
anwhile, Jules had co over just to ensure there were no issues at the venue.
Seeing Adriana stand up for her so firmly, she felt deeply moved.
She had never imagined she would gain such a supportive sister-in-law.
Her eyes grew moist, though she quickly blinked the tears away.
’I am really going to beco part of this family,’ she thought, her heart swelling with emotion. ’I must cherish them even more after the marriage.’
...........................................
Soon, the engagent ceremony began.
The hall filled with laughter, music, and the faint fragrance of flowers and champagne.
Guests chatted warmly, glasses clinked, and soft lights shimred across the decorations. After a brief celebration, it was finally ti for the ring ceremony.
When Lucas slid the ring onto Jules’s finger, applause erupted across the hall.
It was a perfect day.
Lucas, overwheld with happiness, drank far more than usual. His cheeks flushed, and his movents beca unsteady.
"Are you alright?" several people asked with concern.
He only smiled, his voice thick but sincere.
"I am more than alright. I am just... very happy. I finally have the love of my life beside ."
As he spoke, he looked at Jules with unfiltered affection.
Jules blushed deeply. She never imagined life would offer her another chance at happiness.
’Maybe leaving Nick’s house that night was the right decision,’ she thought quietly. ’If I had not walked away... I would never have t Lucas.’
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