"Mother, it’s all Natalie’s doing," Clara said imdiately. "She planned everything to ruin Briena’s entire career."
Sephina turned to Clara and scolded her sharply. "Even if she planned it—was she the one who forced your daughter to film those disgusting scenes? No. It’s you who spoiled your daughter and turned her into soone just like yourself. Do you think I don’t know how you seduced Jay? Or what kind of woman you were before you married him?"
Clara’s legs trembled as she stepped back. "M-Mother..."
"I allowed you into this ho only because you were carrying Jay’s child," Sephina said coldly. "Natalie wasn’t his daughter, so I let his only true child stay here—with a woman like you. But it seems it’s ti for to send you back where you ca from. And this ti, take your daughter with you."
Clara dropped to her knees. "Mother, please don’t do this. Briena is Jay’s daughter—your granddaughter. Have rcy on her."
Sephina’s eyes turned to Briena. "You two are going abroad. And you’re never returning. You mother and daughter—don’t show your faces to ever again, as long as I’m alive."
"Grandma, I’m the CEO—" Briena started, desperate.
"You were the CEO," Sephina cut her off with disdain. "The board mbers have already called for a eting to dismiss you. They don’t want a porn actress leading their company. No one wants to see you there."
The last shred of hope Briena had been clinging to—redeeming her life through her position as CEO of the Ford Group—crumbled right before her eyes.
Her acting career was ruined.Her piano concerts had been canceled.And now, her title as CEO was being stripped away.
She was being reduced to nothing. A nobody.
What was she going to do now?
Before Briena could say anything, Clara ca to her and gently wiped her tears. "Calm down. Let’s go to your room first. Don’t say anything," Clara whispered.
Briena could only nod and walked away with her mother.
Just then, they heard Sephina’s voice from behind. "This is the last day you two are in this house. Pack your things and leave at once."
Clara and Briena didn’t respond and continued walking upstairs to their rooms.
Once inside, Briena slumped to the floor helplessly. The sting of Sephina’s slap still lingered on her cheek.
"What am I going to do now, Mom?" she cried out.
Clara knelt beside her and whispered, "Don’t worry. Your father and I have already made all the arrangents. That old hag can’t dismiss us from this family—or the Ford Group."
Briena lifted her head, confused. "What do you an, Mother?"
"When that bitch was crying over her husband’s death, your father and I made her sign so docunts she didn’t fully read. She has no idea what she signed. Now, we hold the real power in the Ford Group. And soon enough, she will be the one getting kicked out," Clara said with a cold smile.
Briena’s eyes widened in shock. "A-Are you serious, Mother?"
"Just wait until the board eting. No one can remove you from your position as CEO. Your father has already secured the support of the key board mbers," Clara assured her.
Finally, a smile returned to Briena’s face. She threw her arms around her mother. "Thank you, Mom. I wouldn’t have known what to do without you."
----
Natalie had just finished the board of directors eting, where Jas was also present. None of the board mbers raised any objections about her position. Over the past few months, they had all witnessed her feud with the Fords—and how she had co out victorious. She had even turned a bankrupt branch of the Ford Group into a profitable independent company. That alone proved she had the capability to handle challenges, both personal and professional.
Not to ntion, she was the princess of Belivorn—royal blood flowed through her veins. And above all, who would dare challenge her when she was the daughter of Jas Harper? The man was invincible, impossible to deal with, and absolutely loyal to her.
Later, she attended the press conference alongside Jas.
The journalists were relieved and thrilled to finally be able to interact with her. Until now, all they had seen of Natalie were clips of her shutting reporters down with cold, dismissive remarks.
"Ms. Natalie, how are you feeling after becoming the CEO of the Harper Group? Your journey—from being nothing special in the Ford Group to now leading the wealthiest conglorate—what do you have to say about it?"
Natalie, calm and composed as ever, responded, "I will do my best to make this wealthiest group even wealthier. That is what I feel about being responsible as the CEO."
"You’ve given up on the Ford Group—is it because you knew you were going to take over the Harper Group and thought the Ford Group was beneath you?"
Natalie recognized the provocation and smiled faintly. If they wanted a sharp answer, she wouldn’t disappoint them.
"Who said I’ve given up on the Ford Group?" she asked. "I’ve simply stepped down from my claim as CEO. But I’m still one of its major shareholders and it was hard work of my mother. The day I feel the current managent can’t handle it, I won’t hesitate to take the Ford Group back into my hands."
"Are you planning to use your power in the Harper Group to do that?"
"I don’t need to waste my ti or the Harper Group’s resources on that," Natalie replied, her voice laced with sarcasm. "The unqualified people currently handling the Ford Group are doing enough damage. I can just wait."
"You an their new CEO, Briena Ford?"
"Do we really need to na her?" Natalie said, as if the question itself were a waste of ti.
"There’s insider news claiming that you were the one behind Ms. Briena’s current situation after her movie’s release," another reporter asked.
Natalie raised a brow. "Did you think that question through before asking it? Weren’t you all—the dia—claiming that I was trying to stop her movie from being released? That I was using my influence to pressure NovaFra?" Her tone remained composed, but sharp. "Out of the last shred of kindness I had for her, I rely said the movie might not be good for her. But..." Natalie paused, then added coldly, "Aren’t you all just as responsible for what happened?"
The room fell silent.
Just days ago, Briena had made a spectacle, accusing Natalie of trying to block the movie’s release. Reporters had heavily criticized Natalie for allegedly abusing her power. Public pressure had mounted—and eventually, the movie had been released.
Seeing their silence, Natalie continued, "Well, it doesn’t matter who caused it—whether it was , you, or Briena herself. I must say, I’m pleased with the result."
There was no mistaking her disdain. Natalie had never hidden her bold, unfiltered opinions—even when she was a nobody. Now, as a woman in power, no one dared challenge her.
Jas, who had been silently watching his daughter speak, showed no intention of interrupting. His eyes revealed a quiet pride—for a daughter who never let anyone trample over her. With her, it was always the other way around.
The reporters quickly dropped the subject and shifted their focus back to business-related questions—asking about the Harper Group’s new strategies and future plans. Jas Harper stepped in to answer alongside Natalie, returning the conference to its professional tone.
----
Justin was working in his study when a parcel was delivered to his ho.
Noah brought it to him after scanning it thoroughly to ensure there was nothing harmful inside. The package didn’t have a sender’s na, but it was marked as being sent from the Eastern country and addressed to Aiden Handrix.
Justin looked at the parcel and imdiately had a sense of who must have sent it. After all, he had exposed his identity to them—so it was only natural they would co after him sooner or later.
He opened the small package and found a single envelope inside. Taking it out, he unfolded it carefully—only to find a photograph tucked within.
It was a family photo, featuring four figures: a couple who appeared to be husband and wife, and two identical-looking boys, around the age of seven or eight, standing in front of them.
The tall, handso man bore a strong resemblance to the two boys, and the woman beside him was beautiful, with a gentle smile that radiated warmth. The boys smiled without a care in the world.
They looked like a perfectly happy family, and the photo seed to have been taken on a trip. Behind them were lush green mountains, a picnic blanket spread out on the grass, and baskets filled with fruits and als. They were enjoying life—just like any ordinary family on vacation.
At first glance, Justin could imdiately tell that the two boys were him and his twin brother—and the couple were their parents.
He flipped the picture over. Sothing was written on the back:
[It’s ti to return ho, little boy.]
Justin clenched his jaw. Even though he hadn’t t that man yet and what kind of man he was, the ssage made one thing clear—the sender though he still held authority over him.
And Justin didn’t like that at all.
His gaze darkened with unreadable emotions. He couldn’t wait to et this person.
But it would be on his terms—not when soone else summoned him like a pawn.
He took a photo of the picture with his phone and sent it to soone.
In just a few monts, a call ca through.
"Where did you get this photograph?" Aaron’s angry voice echoed through the phone.
"Soone sent it to . There’s a ssage written on the back," Justin replied. "That’s you and ... and the other two—our parents?"
Aaron humd in response, a sudden silence gripping them both.
"The man who sent this... he must be our grandfather," Justin added.
Another low hum from Aaron confird his suspicion.
Justin ended the call without another word. He then forwarded the photo to soone else and typed a short ssage:
[The man in this picture.]
The reply ca almost instantly:
[It’s the sa man—the friend I told you about. Seems like what I suspected was true.]
Seeing Jas’s reply, Justin understood—his father was once Jas’ friend. He couldn’t help but wonder what had happened after his father returned ho.
Seems like it was finally the ti to return ho and find it out.
Justin called for Noah.
"Yes, Mr Harper?"
"I would be working from our head office in the eastern country. Make the arrangents," he ordered.
Noah felt conflicted inside. He didn’t want Justin to go that place and then go back to the dangerous world he had left behind. But he had no other option but to follow the orders.
"Yes, Mr Harper."
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