Chapter 9
Someone in the crowd had recorded the whole scene and uploaded it online.
In no time, the “Yoo–hoo investor meeting” exploded across social media, dominating trending topics for days.
Netizens were stunned by the rollercoaster of events.
“I know that company–used to have a solid reputation. Turns out it’s just a circus of fools.”
“They had one golden goose–Sloane. And they cooked her. Brilliant.”
“Honestly? What goes around comes around. They had it coming.”
Madeline’s background was quickly dug up–she turned out to be a professional corporate spy, working for a foreign syndicate.
Apparently, these organizations trained agents to infiltrate companies.
If they failed, they were discarded without a second thought.
Thanks to the online uproar, the police moved fast and took down the entire operation.
My parents slowly recovered under medical care.
Back home, I sat at the dinner table as my parents brought out a full homemade meal, urging me to wash up with warm smiles. Tears
streamed down my face.
Living this life again–I’d finally protected them.
I joined Spencer’s company and brought the investors with me.
They had full faith in me, clapping me on the shoulder.
“Sloane, we believe in you. Do it your way.”
With their support, I secured a major investment and took the CEO seat, launching sweeping reforms.
Spencer backed me wholeheartedly. Within a year, profits skyrocketed by 200%.
Meanwhile, Gavin went bankrupt. All the shareholders‘ assets were frozen.
Some lost their homes and cars to the banks.
Unable to repay their debts, they were blacklisted and barred from flying or taking trains.
A few were lured by shady recruiters overseas–and vanished into the black holes of telecom scams. No one ever heard from them
again.
Their families fell apart. Wives divorced them and left with the kids.
On the eve of our company’s Nasdaq IPO, I ran into Gavin.
His eyes were lifeless, hair greasy, looking more like a homeless man than a former CEO.
The moment he saw me, he lunged forward–but my driver blocked him instantly.
“Hey, back off! No vagrants allowed around here.”
Gavin raised his hands in pleading, eyes fixed on me.
“Sloane, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for the dog to attack you, I swear. I didn’t tell the guards to hurt your mom–it was all Madeline,”
“We grew up together–we were each other’s first love. Please, forgive me.”
I looked down at him without an ounce of emotion.
Chapter 9
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“Gavin, get a grip. The moment you locked me in that basement, everything between us ended. Don’t come near me again. I don’t want to see you.”
I told my driver to call security. They removed him, and I gave orders that he was never to be let near the building again.
Later, I heard Gavin had lost his mind. He lived in a mountain cave, muttering nonsense to himself.
One night, he stabbed a few security guards working late. During the struggle, one of them fractured his skull. He bled out and died.
After our IPO, my life only grew busier. My net worth soared, and I made the list of the top ten richest women.
That same year, Spencer proposed to me–and transferred his shares to my name.
I became the company’s largest shareholder.
He told me he had fallen in love with me back in college and and had been carrying a torch for me for a decade.
With the blessing of friends and family, we held a grand wedding.
I stood in a pristine white gown, gazing at my parents not far away.
Beside me was the man who gave me love and power.
In my hands: a bouquet woven with pearls, diamonds, and fresh blooms.
My parents were safe, my future was bright, and this life–this time–I had won.
Chapter 9
