CHAPTER 2: THE WOMAN THEY MOCKED
Across the city, Mariana sat in a glass tower office that overlooked everything Andrew once believed he ruled.
Her father stood behind her—powerful, silent, watching.
“You gave him four years,” he said calmly. “Why?”
Mariana didn’t turn.
“Because I wanted to believe love wasn’t a transaction.”
She tapped her screen once.
Andrew’s company valuation: $480 million… now dropping by the second.
“Turns out,” she continued softly, “it always was. I just didn’t realize I was the one paying.”
Her father nodded. “And now?”
May you like
Mariana finally leaned back, her eyes cold.
“Now I collect.”
