"My husband struck me again and again over a bag of coffee. Before going to bed, he smirked and said, “Maybe now you'll finally learn respect.” The next morning, he walked into a grand breakfast spread, certain I had surrendered. Then he saw who was sitting at the table—and the color drained from his face

The following morning, despite the public ruin, Ethan clung to a foolish belief.

He believed that because his primary employment contract was with Vance Logistics—a subsidiary firm—the board of directors would protect him from the Sterling family’s influence.

Wearing a suit he had bought from a discount department store with borrowed money from an old acquaintance, Ethan marched into the headquarters of Vance Logistics on Park Avenue.

He pushed past the security desk, ignoring the receptionist’s startled calls, and headed straight for the 40th-floor executive boardroom where the annual director meeting was taking place.

“I am still the Regional Vice President of this company!” Ethan shouted as he burst through the double doors. “You cannot terminate me based on fake media rumors!”

The twelve board members seated around the glass table turned to look at him with expressions of disgust.

At the head of the table sat the newly appointed Chairwoman of Vance Logistics.

She was wearing a tailored emerald-green suit, her dark hair styled flawlessly, her diamond ring catching the morning sunlight.

It was me.

Ethan froze, his hand trembling on the door handle.

“Victoria...?” he whispered, his voice cracking.

“You’re late for the board meeting, Mr. Vale,” I said smoothly, resting my chin on my folded hands. “Though considering you no longer work here, your presence is an illegal trespass.”

“You... how are you sitting in that chair?!” Ethan screamed, taking an aggressive step forward. “This is Vance Logistics! The Vance family owns this firm!”

Julian Vance, the CEO and lead founder of the company, stood up from my right side.

“My family sold sixty percent of our controlling voting shares to Sterling Global at 8:00 a.m. yesterday, Ethan,” Julian announced, his voice booming through the room. “Victoria Sterling is now our majority owner and Chairwoman.”