😍🔞 The Man Who Gripped Half the City Gripped My Waist — "From Now On, She's Mine"

Chapter 1 She Was Done With Him

"Honey, is the baby in Belinda's belly yours?" Dina Gardner's face went pale as a ghost, unable to believe her ears.

Seven months ago, Blair Woodward's older brother Alan Woodward had died in a car accident. She'd felt heartbroken for his newly widowed and pregnant wife, Belinda Hobbs, so she'd made soups every day, gone with her to every prenatal appointment, and done everything she could to help. And this was the thanks she got, a brutal stab in the back.

She'd never dreamed that Blair, the man who cherished her like a treasure and loved her more than life itself, would betray her like this.

"Explain yourself!" Her voice shook wildly as she stared daggers at Blair on the sofa.

The light threw shadows across his furrowed brows, swapping his usual poised elegance for a stifling weight that seemed to crush the air from the room.

He sighed heavily. "Dina, calm down. The Woodward family... needs an heir."

The words hit her like a dagger straight to the heart.

Three years ago, she'd damaged her uterus saving Blair's life, and the doctors had said conceiving would be nearly impossible.

Back then, by her hospital bed, he'd sworn up and down, "I only want you. Kids? Who needs them? I could go my whole life without."

"Needs an heir?" Dina let out a hollow laugh, tears finally streaming down her face. "So you slept with Belinda? Blair, how could you be so vile?"

Slap! A stinging slap cracked across her face.

Her mother-in-law, Eileen Woodward, sneered with pure disgust. "You rude little brat, how dare you speak to Blair that way? With Alan gone, it's only right for Blair to step in. This isn't your place to throw a tantrum.

"Besides, you can't conceive. What gives you the right to interrogate him? Blair hasn't tossed you out on the street yet. You ought to be down on your knees, thanking your lucky stars!"

Dina cupped her burning cheek, staring at Blair in shock. She thought, 'So... this is how he sees me now too? Thanking my lucky stars? His not despising me is supposed to be some huge act of kindness?

'Was I the one begging to marry him back then? No, it was Blair who proposed nine times. He was the one who promised again and again that he didn't need kids.

'He was the one who showed up with that vasectomy proof, eyes red and pleading for another chance. I still have it locked away in my safe...'

As he caught sight of the red welt on Dina's pale skin, a mix of pain and frustration flickered in Blair's eyes. But with everything out in the open now, he had no choice but to say it.

He said, "With Alan gone, the weight of the Woodward family falls on my shoulders. I have to carry it. You... you can't have kids. That's just how it is. We both need to face reality.

"Don't you love children too? Once the baby's born, we'll make it official: it'll be yours, calling you Mom. Then we'll be a happy family of three, no regrets."

Dina felt bile rise in her throat, like she'd swallowed something rotten. "So I should get on my knees and thank you, Mr. Woodward, for handing me motherhood on a silver platter?"

"...Dina, I'm trying to have a civil conversation here. Do you have to be so snarky?" Blair's brows knitted together, irritation flashing in his eyes.

Eileen said, "Shameless! We're handing you Blair for nothing, and you're whining like it's some big hardship? You ungrateful bitch!"

Eileen lunged forward, shoving her roughly. "Get out! Scram! Go cool off outside and figure out how to act like a proper, obedient wife in this family. If you can't wrap your head around it, don't bother coming back."

It was after ten at night, with snow swirling thick and fast, the cold biting straight to the bone. The temperature had plunged below zero.

They were really going to kick her out in nothing but her thin clothes.

Dina glanced instinctively at Blair, clinging to a desperate hope that he'd defend her. But she only met his conflicted, somber stare.

He frowned, fingers clenched white-knuckled. After a moment's pause, he finally... looked away, turning his back.

He'd chosen silence. Letting Eileen bully her into submission.

Bang! The heavy, ornate door slammed shut in Dina's face, the lock clicking into place with a cold, mechanical snap that pierced the air.

The freezing wind enveloped her instantly.

She stood rigid on the icy steps, gazing at the closed door like a soulless statue.

Three years of marriage... Blair had treated her so well once, truly, deeply.

She'd always kick off the covers in her sleep, and he'd patiently pull them back over her dozens of times a night without a single complaint.

If she lingered even a second too long on a designer gown in a magazine, it'd show up in her closet the very next day, along with every other piece from that season's lineup.

He wasn't big on travel, but if she mentioned wanting to go somewhere, he'd clear his schedule and jet off with her that same afternoon.

She'd been convinced she'd married the perfect man. But apparently, his love folded like a house of cards when faced with the Woodward family's so-called "duties" and harsh "realities."

When push came to shove between her and his family obligations, he didn't even consult her. He just threw her under the bus.

He was banking on the fact that she'd moved far from home to Vreton, with no relatives or friends nearby, nowhere else to go.

Banking on her love for him, figuring she'd never walk away, that she'd just clench her jaw, swallow the bitterness, push down the nausea, and accept this illegitimate kid.

Banking on their marriage, assuming that as long as he dug in his heels, she'd be stuck, no divorce in sight.

But he'd overlooked one thing.

Back then, when Eileen had threatened to kill herself, she and Blair had been forced into a hasty little ceremony, and even now, they still hadn't filed for the official marriage license.

In the eyes of the law, Dina wasn't his wife at all.

A broken, frigid smile tugged at her lips, her eyes sharp with the cold, unyielding clarity that follows utter heartbreak.

She thought, 'Blair. I'm done with you.'

Dina fished out her phone, her fingers stiff from the cold as she dialed a number she'd tucked away ages ago.

She spoke deliberately, "Does that offer from back then still hold? Hank."

*****

"Mrs. Woodward, Mr. Woodward, Ms. Gardner hopped in a car and took off..." Amalia Lynn's voice quivered with panic and concern.

"She what?" Eileen's face contorted in disbelief and disdain. "Instead of groveling for our forgiveness, she dares to huff off in a rage? Is she out of her mind?"

"Well... this whole mess must've crushed her... She seemed genuinely heartbroken..." Amalia let out a sigh. "Mr. Woodward, maybe you should go after her? If you hurry, you could still catch her."

Blair gazed broodingly out the window, his temper frayed, but he stayed put. "No point."

He knew Dina inside out. Even in pain, she couldn't walk away from their relationship.

This was just her throwing a fit in the heat of the moment; once she calmed down and saw reason, she'd slink back on her own.

Eileen said, "Right. Why bother chasing her? Like she could actually stay away from Blair. Come morning, she'll come crawling back, tail between her legs, begging pardon."

Eileen's smugness grew, as if she could already see Dina bowing. "And when she does, no quick apology will do. We've got to drill a lesson into her, make it unforgettable: if she wants to stay a Mrs. Woodward, she'd better fall in line and behave.

"Blair, don't you dare soften up this time. You've coddled her way too much. That's why she's gotten so uppity.

"The minute she's back, ship her off for nanny training. Belinda's far too fragile for the grind of raising a baby. It'll suit that worthless, childless Dina just fine. Turn her into something useful for once and let her pitch in for the family."

Amalia gasped, her stomach knotting up. She thought, 'Humiliating someone like this... would Ms. Gardner really grit her teeth and take it again, like some doormat?'

She had her doubts, sure. She thought, 'In the past, Ms. Gardner has always rolled over...'

*****

The next day, the snowstorm raged on without mercy.

A fully loaded Rolls-Royce Phantom crunched through the thick drifts, coming to a stop right outside the Woodward family villa.

Dina climbed out, clutching a crisp, new marriage license in her hand.

Chapter 2 No Spark Of Warmth

Dina had returned just to collect her things. As soon as she stepped inside, a shrill peal of laughter grated on her ears.

There sat the normally stone-faced Blair, right next to Belinda, spinning lame jokes to keep her amused.

"Achoo—" Belinda sneezed delicately.

"Chilly?" Blair jumped to attention, slipping off his pricey suit jacket and draping it softly over her shoulders.

She tilted her head up at that exact moment, their gazes locking, faces so close their noses almost touched.

The air thickened for a split second. A sticky, knowing vibe simmered between them, unspoken but unmistakable.

Dina lingered in the foyer, her mouth curling into a silent, bitter twist.

She'd been so blind, chalking up Blair's fawning care and overprotectiveness toward Belinda to simple duty, born from Alan's passing. But clearly, those two had been messing around for ages.

"Dina?" Belinda looked up and saw her, flinching like a spooked bunny, her face a mask of guilt and fluster. "D-don't get the wrong idea. Blair's just looking out for me, worried I might catch a cold..."

Dina thought, 'Looking out?' She sneered to herself. 'Panicking over a sneeze in a toasty, heated room?'

Yet last night, when Dina'd been out in the blizzard in nothing but a thin top, freezing half to death, he hadn't shown his face at all.

Whatever. It didn't matter now. She had no interest in staring at the revolting duo anymore. Without a word, she cut through the living room and headed straight up the stairs.

Three years had piled up a ton of stuff, but Dina packed only one suitcase.

Everything Blair had gifted her over the years, the anniversary diamond necklace, the birthday limited-edition purse, the Valentine's preserved roses, even the love letters from his courtship days, their sentimental keepsakes... she dumped it all in the trash.

She thought, 'Why hang onto junk from a guy who's gone rotten? It'll just make me sick.'

Dina tucked the marriage license into the suitcase's lining, zipped it shut, and started to rise when a fierce wave of dizziness slammed into her.

She staggered, clutching the handle hard to keep from falling.

She thought, 'Yep, definitely coming down with something. That snow last night gets the better of me. Guess I'll have to hit the hospital before crashing at Hank's.'

Pushing through the spins and queasiness, Dina grabbed the suitcase and headed for the door.

She'd just reached it when Blair's imposing figure loomed in the way.

He clocked the suitcase in her grip, his expression turning stormy, his voice sharp with annoyance and blame. "I thought a night outside would give you time to cool down and come to your senses."

Dina thought, 'Get a load of that, what a riot!'

Like all her hurt and the raw deal she'd gotten could just evaporate after one "cooling-off" period. Then she'd scamper back like an obedient pup, tail wagging, slipping right back into her role as the perfect, dutiful Mrs. Woodward.

"Oh, I came to my senses, alright." Dina shot him a icy grin. "A tainted guy's no better than a hot dog plopped in a sewer, trash it and move on. Here's to you and Belinda: a hundred years of wedded bliss and enough kids for a soccer squad."

"Dina!" Blair snapped, his face livid. "I already told you. I got Belinda pregnant out of duty, for the family's sake. There's nothing going on between us, nothing like what you're thinking."

"It was IVF." He laid it out with a deadpan stare, like that somehow made it all kosher.

Dina mocked. "So when the baby's here, will it call you Uncle... or Daddy?"

"Why do you have to be so cutting? I've laid it all out for you. What else do you expect me to do?"

Dina said, "Laid it out? Like your words can erase the kid? Rewind the clock? Why the hell should I forgive you just because you 'explained'?"

Dina shoved him out of the way, grabbed her suitcase, and stormed toward the door. "The second you chose to knock up Belinda, it was over between us."

"Over?" Blair grabbed her arm and yanked her back, his hand clamping around her waist, trapping her against him. "If you need to blow off steam, scream at me, throw a tantrum, make a huge scene, whatever. But ending it? Don't even go there.

"Dina, get this through your head: you're my wife for life."

Dina thought, 'Wife?' She snorted, like she'd just heard the dumbest joke ever. "Last I checked, do we have the papers to prove it?"

Blair blinked, the lack of a marriage license suddenly hitting him.

But then it dawned on him, and he let out a low chuckle. "Ah, so you want me to fix that with an official license? Fine, consider it done.

"Now that Belinda's pregnant, Mom won't block us anymore. I'll take you to sort it out right now."

He clasped her hand, his voice soft but laced with a cautionary edge. "But Dina, once we've got that license, chill out. Settle into things, keep the home running smoothly, look after Belinda."

A wave of revulsion hit Dina harder than ever.

She thought, 'How could he think, after all this mess, that just getting a license would wipe the slate clean? And he seriously expects me to keep babysitting Belinda, and their bastard kid?'

Her tone turned frigid. "Blair, wake up and smell the coffee. It's broad daylight. News flash: I've already tied the knot with someone else."

"Blair." Right then, Belinda clutched the doorframe, her face twisted in agony as she held her belly. "It hurts so much... Can you get me to the hospital?"

Blair's focus shifted entirely to Belinda. He dropped Dina like a hot potato and rushed over to steady her.

Worry etched across his face, he murmured reassurances. "Hey, don't panic. I'll rush you there now. Dina, we'll deal with the license when I'm back."

Belinda sagged against him weakly. "I can barely stand... Blair..."

Without missing a beat, Blair swept her up in his arms like a princess, striding downstairs with urgent but careful steps.

Belinda snuggled into him like a helpless bird, glancing over his broad shoulder straight at Dina, who stood frozen in place. Her smug eyes gleamed with outright taunting malice.

Dina cracked a smile. Belinda wasn't even putting on an act for her anymore.

As they disappeared into the elevator, Dina swallowed the sharp ache in her chest, gripped her suitcase tight, and walked out of the Woodward family for good.

*****

At the hospital, Dina wrapped up her exams, her fever spiking to scary levels. Her body dragged like lead, her thoughts blurring at the edges of consciousness.

"Ms. Gardner, the drip you're getting has sedatives in it. You could nod off pretty easily. We need a family member here to keep an eye on you. Where's your family?"

Dina thought, 'Family?' She pulled at her dry, cracked lips, her fingers mindlessly unlocking her phone.

The screen flickered on, showing a fresh post on the social media from Belinda, timestamped just minutes ago.

In the pic: Belinda on a hospital bed, nestled cozily against a man's shoulder, her expression pure contentment and joy.

Caption: [Told ya it was just a teensy bit off, but nope, someone insists on blowing it up and checking me in. Even ditched his big company meeting with a hundred folks to stay glued to my side. Being this pampered is kinda overwhelming.]

The guy in the shot, even from that fuzzy side view, she'd know him anywhere. Blair.

Dina's fingers turned ice-cold, her phone wobbling in her grip as a faint tremor shook her body.

She stared at the photo for what felt like forever. Until the shaking stopped, and the final spark of warmth in her eyes went out for good. "Excuse me, would you mind... arranging a caregiver for me?"

Chapter 3 Someone Else Cares For Her

In the plush VIP hospital suite, Belinda lounged against the bed, taking small sips of the water Blair had poured. "Blair, the maid mentioned Dina rolled up this morning in a Rolls-Royce. She was out all night... You don't think she got pissed and hooked up with somebody, do you?"

"No chance." Blair kept his eyes down, his slender fingers fumbling a bit as he peeled an apple, his voice steady and sure. "Dina would never cheat on me. Plus, she was all set to grab that marriage license with me today."

"You're getting married for real?" Belinda's eyes bugged out in surprise, a wild spark of jealousy flashing across them.

She thought, 'My husband is gone, so Blair is basically my baby's dad now. Why does Dina have to keep fighting me for him? Can't she just bow out gracefully and let me have him?'

His phone buzzed insistently. He picked up, and Eileen's cranky voice exploded from the speaker, "Blair! What the hell's up with that Dina? She just grabbed her suitcase and bailed? If she's out, who's gonna handle the chores around here? Who's brewing Belinda's soups?"

"She what?" Blair's knife froze mid-slice, his eyes narrowing in stunned disbelief. He thought, 'Aren't we headed out for the license? What game is she playing now?'

Belinda said, "Why's Dina making such a big deal out of this? You've already promised to make it official. What else does she want? Getting spoiled rotten by you like that, she's got it made... Not like me, Alan's... not around anymore..."

Belinda dropped her gaze, tears plopping onto the sheets. "Never mind, go sweet-talk her back. If I start feeling rough, I'll buzz a nurse. They might be swamped and slow... but I'll tough it out somehow..."

Watching Belinda swallow her fragility, forcing a smile through the discomfort and putting herself last, while Dina kept kicking up dust, Blair felt rage bubbling up like a volcano.

Blair thought, 'Belinda nails it; I've coddled Dina way too much.

'Belinda is carrying a baby, damn it. Instead of stepping up and showing some compassion, she is pulling these jealous stunts and bolting at the worst possible time. It is downright absurd.'

His expression turned stormy as he called his assistant. "Cut off Dina's cards right now. Once she's broke, she'll come slinking back by tonight."

*****

After five bags of IV drip, Dina finally felt like she'd dragged herself back from death's door.

Her caregiver, Rene Rivers, sidled up with the bank card, looking uncomfortable. "Ms. Gardner, I tried settling the bill, but the card got declined. Looks like it's been frozen."

Dina thought, 'Frozen?' Her hazy brain snapped into focus, like a splash of ice water cutting through the fog and heightening the sting.

Right after the wedding, she'd ditched killer job offers to throw herself into Blair's Fighters Group, tackling projects and running ops.

That was why her pay never ran through HR. Instead, he'd put her in charge of the finances and handed over an unlimited black card for whatever.

What started as loving gestures, handing her the purse strings and that card, were now twisted into weapons against her.

She snorted. He'd hoist her up on a throne when times were sweet, but flip the switch, and he'd sling the sleaziest moves without a second thought.

Rene said, "You can't check out till everything's paid up, including my fee... Ms. Gardner, how about ringing your folks?"

Her parents were way up in Asodence, and not in the best shape health-wise. If they heard she couldn't even cover a doctor's visit, it'd crush them.

Blair was counting on her shielding them from the drama. But he missed the point. This wasn't some huff or a ploy for him to chase her. She was done for real. She'd rather keel over in the gutter than crawl back.

"Rene." Dina's tone stayed unnervingly even as she slid the dazzling diamond ring off her finger. "Mind doing me a solid? Pop over to a nearby secondhand luxury spot and pawn this."

In the rush to pack, she'd been laser-focused on dumping the household junk and totally spaced on this bad boy.

Hey, at least selling it for quick cash meant wringing one final drop of "leftover worth" from this toxic mess.

Next, she dialed another number, her voice cool and unwavering. "Mr. Page, file that labor claim for me. Yeah, against Blair. No contract on record, and he's stiffed me on three years' worth of pay."

*****

After checking out of the hospital, Dina hailed a cab to Summit Bay. She stepped out and glanced up.

The massive luxury manor sprawled across the hillside like a lurking giant in the dusk, exuding an eerie blend of nostalgia and dread that slammed into her full force.

All those memories she'd shoved down deep and fled from came rushing back uninvited.

If she weren't completely out of options, she'd never tangle with Hank Woodward again, not in a million years.

But Blair wielded serious power and clout. He wasn't about to let her slip away without a fight. He had a million ways to corner her into giving in, even if it meant dragging her far-off parents into the fray.

To cut him out of her life completely and escape intact, she'd have to align with someone even mightier, someone who made him think twice, Hank.

The real crown prince of the Woodward family, Blair's blood cousin: sharp as a tack, brutal when needed, and way more likely to snag the top spot in the family's power plays than Blair ever was. Even Blair had to show respect to him.

Nobody in Vreton would dare poach a woman from Blair, except Hank.

Dina drew in a deep breath, then another, taking a solid few minutes to tamp down the swirling nerves and sour regret churning in her gut.

She balled her fists, channeling that do-or-die grit like she was severing a limb, and marched through the manor gates. In the end, she couldn't avoid facing him.

"Mrs. Woodward, you're back." The fifty-something butler, Joseph Benitez, hustled over in his crisp suit, flashing a polite, welcoming smile. "Mr. Woodward got hit with an emergency and jetted off abroad to sort it. He won't be around for the next few days."

Dina thought, 'Not here? What a godsend!' The tension knotted in Dina's throat unraveled, her pulse finally easing up.

Joseph clocked her quick unwind, a savvy twinkle in his eye, as he courteously guided her to the lavish main house.

"Mrs. Woodward, here's your suite. We've stocked it with all the basics: toiletries, fresh outfits, jewelry. If any of it misses the mark, just say the word. We'll swap it out on the spot.

"This covers your day-to-day: an unlimited black card, 1.7 million dollars in cash, and 30-million-dollar check. Spend as you like.

"And meet your staff, 108 in total, rotating in three shifts to make sure you're covered around the clock, whatever you need, whenever."

Dina eyed the massive crew, genuinely floored. "...This is overkill, isn't it?"

The setup here blew Blair's place out of the water, easily ten times more extravagant.

Joseph gave her that "it's only natural" humble vibe.

He said, "Mrs. Woodward, your husband now is Hank. Over at Blair's... well, no need to compare his style. What he skimped on or straight-up couldn't deliver? That's just entry-level here with Mr. Woodward.

"Going forward, everything you touch, clothes, gear, fun stuff, has to be premium all the way. Mr. Woodward was crystal clear: kick back and enjoy; leave the rest to us."

Dina was struck dumb for a sec, reeling from the opulence that left Blair's in the dust.

Her thoughts wandered unbidden to Hank. The way his deep, husky breaths in the heat of passion had this magnetic pull, luring her in, making her surrender willingly. Even now, that tiny mole under his collarbone, slick with sweat, stuck in her mind.

But...

Dina yanked herself out of the ill-timed flashback, refocusing. "Joseph, give me a heads-up before Hank gets back, yeah?" She needed a beat to brace herself mentally.

Joseph dipped his head respectfully. "Will do, Mrs. Woodward. Oh, and your wedding to Mr. Woodward is locked in for the 28th, end of the month. We've got an elite crew on the planning, but we'd love your take on the vibe, location, gown options... When works for you?"

"You guys handle it."

"Oh no, Mrs. Woodward, that won't fly. Wedding's all about the bride. Before heading out, Mr. Woodward insisted: tailor it to your tastes, your call on everything."

She thought, 'My tastes...' A gentle twinge hit Dina square in the chest, like a soft tap on her heart.

Her ceremony with Blair? Bare-bones, all dictated by Eileen in that stuffy traditional mode. No one even asked if it was her thing.

Blair had vowed to redo it someday, big and modern. Three years on, that vow? Poof, gone.

And now, Hank was the one making it happen. She thought, 'How twisted. Wonder what he'll make of it come wedding day?'

Dina cracked a sardonic grin. "I've got time these days."

"Excellent, Mrs. Woodward. Get some rest. Anything at all, hit the bedside buzzer. It patches straight to me. Day or night." Joseph bowed out, easing the door shut behind him.

With the click of the latch, a shadowy, lingering stare got cut off outside.

It slunk from the dim hallway's depths, where a towering figure melted into the gloom, radiating an unseen pressure that hung thick in the air.

He kept his eyes glued to the sealed door, that cloying gaze drilling through the solid wood, as if etching itself onto the woman inside.

Chapter 4 Calling It Quits?

The next day, in the Fighters Group CEO's office, Blair tossed the files onto the desk in frustration, his nails tapping restlessly on the pricey rosewood top. "Dina still hasn't shown up for work?"

The assistant kept his eyes down. "No, sir. Ms. Gardner... hasn't been in for three days now."

Blair's frown deepened. He thought, 'With no money to her name, how has she scraped by these last couple of days? Skipping meals? Roughing it on the streets? Or huddling like a stray cat in some dingy corner?' Just picturing it made his chest ache.

He'd spoiled her way too much, that was what it was, turned her into this bullheaded type who'd rather tough it out than back down.

Blair rubbed his temples wearily, his voice carrying a hint of grudging surrender. "Track her down. I'll pick her up myself."

"Blair." The door flew open, and Belinda bustled in, her seven-month bump front and center, her face tight with worry as she gripped a dazzling diamond ring.

She said, "I was out shopping with the girls earlier and spotted this on some woman's hand. I recognized it instantly. It's Dina's wedding ring. The one you had that master jeweler custom-make just for her. One of a kind.

"I hurried over to ask where she got it, and she told me..."

Belinda hesitated, looking pained. "She said... she picked it up at a secondhand luxury boutique."

Crack! The expensive fountain pen in Blair's grip snapped right in two.

His face turned thunderous, veins throbbing at his temples as he spat the words through gritted teeth. "Dina, you've got some nerve!"

There he was, losing sleep over her out there suffering, and she'd gone and hawked their wedding ring for cash without a second thought.

"Blair, this is my fault... If it weren't for me, you two wouldn't be fighting like this..." Belinda wiped at her tears, her face a picture of sorrow. "...That ring symbolizes your love. Selling it, does that mean she's... calling it quits?"

"Calling it quits?" Blair barked out a harsh laugh, like it was the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard, fury storming in his eyes.

He said, "She loves me to death. Dumping me would gut her. She couldn't do it! This is just her pitching a fit, offloading the ring to piss me off on purpose.

"I can handle her moods most days, spoiling her a bit never hurt. But heirs and family legacy? That's non-negotiable. She can't be that deluded, thinking a little stunt like this will change my mind.

"Time to set her straight with a real wake-up call."

*****

Over at Summit Bay, Joseph inquired politely, "Mrs. Woodward, you available today? We've got everything set up at Cloud Hotel. We can swing by anytime to check out wedding venues."

"Afternoon's good." Dina massaged her forehead. "I've got a contract signing with Mr. Costa at noon."

She'd been on this deal for three months straight; everything was locked in, just needed that final sign-off.

It was her swan song at Fighters Group, and she wanted to see it through clean. Even more important, the commission? A cool 700 thousand dollars.

She'd busted her ass for it. No way was she leaving that on the table.

Once it was signed, sealed, and delivered, she'd push ahead with the labor claim, grab her owed wages, and bail on Fighters Group for good.

"Got it, Mrs. Woodward. Where's the meeting? I'll send a car to scoop you up after."

"No bother. It's right there at Cloud Hotel."

Come noon, Dina showed up bang on time at the booked private room in Cloud Hotel.

She pushed the door open and froze at the sight of two faces she hadn't bargained for: Blair, and next to him, a smug, glowing Belinda.

Belinda had a pen in hand, scribbling her signature at the contract's footer. She looked up at Dina, flashing a victor's grin, her eyes brimming with unfiltered taunt.

She said, "Oh, Dina, you're here? Sorry, I forgot to let you know. Blair figured the department could use someone more talented at the helm, so I've just come on board as director. That makes me your direct boss from here on out. As for this contract..."

She waved the document in her hand. "I took the liberty of signing it for you."

Belinda, a seven-months-pregnant woman on the verge of maternity leave, had been dropped in as director out of nowhere. It was blatantly obvious: she was there to poach the deal.

This wasn't just an attack; it was straight-up humiliation.

Fury exploded in her chest. Dina clenched her jaw and shot a glare at the culprit.

She said, "Blair! I've poured over three months into this project, endless late nights, all my blood, sweat, and tears. And you just hand it off like it's nothing? What right does she have to sign my deal?"

Blair's eyes fixed on her face, brooding, his rage burning even hotter than hers.

He closed the distance in a few strides, his voice low and thunderous, like he was the one putting her on trial. "How could you sell our wedding ring? Dina, do I mean anything to you at all?"

Dina was so incensed she nearly burst out laughing. She'd braced for his underhanded tactics, but not for him to blur the lines between personal and professional this badly.

Blair added, "This is just a little warning. From now on, that wedding ring doesn't leave your finger, or else..."

Blair seized her hand, gripping it with bone-crushing force as he slid the icy diamond ring back onto her ring finger. His voice dropped to a soft, menacing whisper. "Don't blame me if I fire you.

"Dina, let's be real. Everything in your life, the perks of being Mrs. Woodward, your career, it's all because of me. Without me, you'd be left with nothing... I hate to put it this bluntly, but you need to know your limits. Quit the drama, head home like a good girl, accept the child, and I'll drop the whole thing. We'll go back to how things were. I'll treat you just as well as before."

His gaze was as soft as ever, but his words twisted her stomach into knots of disgust.

This was what Blair called love. When she toed the line, he'd lavish her with gifts. But the moment she stepped out, he'd snatch them back, grinding her down with threats and belittlement.

He'd conveniently forgotten where he came from.

Three years ago, right out of college, she'd snagged offers from top global firms, brimming with potential. Even the world's premier conglomerate, the Wonder Group, had courted her for the chief role in their AI R&D department.

But at Blair's plea, "I need you", she'd ditched them all without a second thought, throwing herself into building Fighters Group from the ground up.

For three grueling years, she'd given it everything, practically carrying the AI R&D department on her back and forging a foothold in the brutal AI landscape.

The AI emotional interaction project on the horizon? That was her baby. A successful launch would catapult Fighters Group to the top of the industry.

Without her, though, Fighters Group's vaunted AI division would crumble into an empty husk.

"Fire me?" Dina let out a bitter laugh, sarcasm lacing every word. "Mr. Woodward, you'd better mean it. And don't forget to transfer that severance package, plus any labor arbitration settlement, straight to my account.

"Oh, and one more thing."

Dina turned to Solomon Costa at the table with a faint smile. "Mr. Costa, you heard it. Mr. Woodward's letting me go. So that core program optimization tech I offered as a bonus to your company... sorry, but I won't be able to follow through."

With that, Dina spun on her heel and strode out, no hesitation.

"Bang!" From the private room behind her came the sound of Solomon slamming the table in rage. "This contract? Forget it. I'm not signing!"

Blair gaped at the shredded agreement, then at Dina's unyielding back as she walked away. A surge of unfamiliar panic clutched at his heart.

In all their past fights, no matter how heated, Dina had always put the big picture first in the end. For him, for the company, she'd grit her teeth, bury her hurt, and push through.

That was what she should've done today. She'd never gone this far, leaving no room for compromise. He thought, 'Is this it? Has she finally reached her breaking point?'

Chapter 5 Going Abroad Next Month

"Dina!" Blair's face darkened with rage. Without a second thought, he bolted after her.

As soon as she left the private room, Dina pulled out her phone and called Joseph. "Joseph, change of plans. Skip lunch. I'm heading straight to the wedding venue. Just text me the coordinator's number."

"Mrs. Woodward, this way, please." Dina looked up to see Joseph smiling from inside the elevator. He'd clearly been waiting for her. She smiled back and stepped in.

Just as the doors slid shut, Blair burst out of the room, catching a glimpse of her standing next to Joseph.

He frowned in confusion. "What's Joseph doing here?"

A nearby server replied politely, "Mr. Woodward, Joseph is here to check out the wedding venue. Hank's getting married at the end of the month. Didn't you hear?"

Hank had been raised abroad. Six years ago, he'd returned and unleashed a month-long storm of violence that reshaped Vreton's business scene in blood. From then on, people in those circles feared him like the grim reaper.

"Hank's tying the knot?" Blair couldn't mask his surprise. Over the years, their grandfather Darren Woodward had paraded endless society debutantes in front of him, but Hank had never batted an eye. He wondered, 'What kind of woman can possibly have won him over?'

Still reeling, he punched the up button for the adjacent elevator. He needed to grab Dina fast, before she stumbled into Hank's domain and pissed him off.

Hank was a certified lunatic, and he showed no mercy, not even to women.

Top floor. The doors parted silently.

Joseph gestured courteously to the side. "Mrs. Woodward, right this way. Celestial Vista, the crown jewel of Vreton's wedding spots, is just ahead."

Dina followed him into the enchanting venue.

At the same instant, the other elevator dinged open.

Blair stepped out, scanning the empty corridor with sharp eyes. No sign of her. His gut twisted as he zeroed in on the Celestial Vista entrance.

He thought, 'She went in? Just my luck, of course this will happen.'

Hank was ruthless and unpredictable. Cross him, and you'd regret it in the worst ways imaginable.

Heart racing, Blair hurried toward the doors.

"Mr. Woodward, one moment please," the attendant at the entrance said, extending a polite but firm hand. "We have a VIP inside. No entry without an appointment."

"Move!" With a scowl, Blair pushed past her and flung the door open.

"Blair!" Belinda grabbed his arm, her face etched with concern. "Take it easy! Hank already despises you. Barging in on him during something as big as picking his wedding venue? You'll just make it worse."

Blair's brows furrowed. "Dina's in there."

"Look, the elevator's back on the first floor. She must've ridden it down and left already." Belinda pointed to the display for the one Dina had taken.

Blair eyed the lit-up "1," and the tension finally eased out of him. He let out a long breath.

Belinda caught the raw relief on his face, the way he still cared so deeply, and jealousy clawed at her insides. She thought, 'Dina has caused total chaos today, acting completely out of line, and yet Blair is still this hooked?'

She said, "Blair… I probably shouldn't butt in, but I hate seeing her string you along like this.

"Think about it: that AI emotional interaction project? She's sunk three full years into it. It's this close to launching successfully. She'd be the talk of the industry, raking in the acclaim and rewards. No way she'd actually walk away from all that at the eleventh hour."

She said it with total conviction. "She's just pitching a fit, sabotaging the deal on purpose to rattle you, force you to chase her down and beg. And in the process, push you to abort our baby. If you hold your ground and don't cave, she'll be the one freaking out once the launch rolls around."

The panic churning in Blair's chest gradually faded. Logic started to creep back in.

Belinda was right. The AI emotional interaction project was Dina's sole shot at proving her value to the Woodward family. She couldn't walk away from Fighters Group, and definitely not from him, Blair.

His tense shoulders finally relaxed, and his expression shifted back to its familiar cool, commanding poise.

He thought, 'If she insists on throwing this fit and playing hard to get... fine. I'll bide my time until launch day and watch how she plays her hand.'

*****

In a shadowy room, Belinda punched in a number, her face twisted in cold fury. "Where are you? Get your ass back to Vreton, now."

The man on the other end chuckled, his tone flirty and casual. "Aw, baby, missing me already? Figures, with you in the third trimester, we can finally get frisky again. I snagged this insane 18+ kit; it'll be next-level on a pregnant belly. I bet you'll—"

"Shut your mouth!" Belinda snapped. "Unless you want Blair to find out the baby's yours, and have you carved up and tossed into the sea for shark bait, kill those thoughts right now."

"No action? Then what's the rush to haul me back?"

"The AI emotional interaction software launch is coming up fast. I need you to snatch Dina, make damn sure she doesn't show."

If Dina no-showed the event, it'd drive Blair into a rage, torching their relationship for good... and clear the way for Belinda to take the stage, stealing the spotlight as the project's mastermind.

All those three years of Dina's grueling work, the accolades, the prestige, the payoffs, would land squarely in her lap.

With that boost, she'd have the chops and connections to reach out to the Wonder Group.

As the unchallenged kingpin of AI, Wonder Group was pushing boundaries with their bionic robot tech, a true game-changer. Snagging a collab and diving into that project would launch Fighters Group into the stratosphere of the AI world, and position her as the Woodward family's ultimate MVP.

*****

After wrapping up at the wedding venue, Dina hopped in a car back to Summit Bay.

No sooner had she arrived than her phone buzzed with an overseas call. "Ms. Gardner, word just reached me. You're ditching Fighters Group?"

The caller had a polished accent, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. "Apologies, I'm jumping the gun here, but this is bloody fantastic news! I've been holding out for this exact moment for three solid years.

"That offer from the Wonder Group back then? Still stands, and we've sweetened the pot with double the compensation. The head spot at our global AI R&D hub? It's been yours all along, just waiting.

"Dina, come aboard. The global stage is where you belong, not cooped up in a outfit like Fighters Group, tinkering with emotional AI apps. Join Wonder Group and turn your three-year-old vision into reality: genuine AI bionic robots. You'll be the pioneer kicking off the next AI revolution."

Three years ago, Dina had sketched out the blueprint and data frameworks for bionic robots. Only Wonder Group had the firepower and infrastructure to bring it to life.

Back then, she'd shelved the dream for Blair.

But now... The dimmed fire in Dina's eyes flared back to life, sharp and radiant. "I'm in. I'll head over and start first thing next month."

*****

Barely married and already jetting off for work abroad, Dina weighed it carefully and figured she owed Hank the heads-up.

She sought out Joseph. "Joseph, any idea when Hank's getting back? I've got something to run by him."

Earlier in the car, Joseph had noticed the ring back on Dina's finger and caught wind of her encounter with Blair at the hotel. Hank had mentioned her fondness for pink, yet she'd gone with a blue wedding palette, obviously phoning it in.

And that phone call she'd just taken, all giggles and chatter... Piecing it together, he thought it reeked of her reconciling with Blair.

Now, fresh off the call, she looked stone-faced and insistent on "got something to run by him" with Hank? He thought this wasn't about chatting. This was her gearing up to call off the wedding.

His gaze darted instinctively to a dark corner nearby, and then his expression hardened into one of deep, solemn concern.

Chapter 6 Ivf's Fake

Joseph said, "Mrs. Woodward, the issue Mr. Woodward's dealing with this time... it's really complicated. Don't count on a few days. He might not even make it back for two weeks."

Dina was speechless. She thought, 'Face-to-face is out of the question, then.'

An online message might not be the politest approach, but it was all she had.

She grabbed her phone, opened Hank's WhatsApp profile, and typed: [Busy? Can you spare a couple of minutes? There's something I want to run by you.]

She tapped send. A bright red exclamation point jumped out immediately. [Message sent, but rejected by the other party]

Dina was baffled. She stared at the red icon for a solid thirty seconds before it sank in, a wry smile creeping onto her face.

She thought, 'Yeah, figures.'

Hank had only married her to mess with Blair's head. As for her... he probably still saw her the way he always had, distant, maybe even disgusted.

She wondered, 'Does it really matter to him if I leave the country? Why bother telling him?'

Dina slipped her phone away quietly and headed to her room.

She tugged off the ring absentmindedly and dropped it on the nightstand, planning to pawn it at a secondhand luxury shop when she got a chance, to offset the 700-thousand-dollar commission Belinda had snatched from her deal.

"Mrs. Woodward, here's some calming aromatherapy. It'll help you get a better night's sleep." The maid lit it, and soon a gentle, soothing scent wafted through the room.

It wasn't long before Dina sank into a deep, restful sleep.

Under the cover of night, her door eased open from the outside.

A tall, broad-shouldered figure glided in without a sound and stopped at the bedside. His eyes fixed on the ring sitting on the nightstand.

Slender fingers snatched it up, curling around it in a vise-like grip.

He clenched so fiercely that his knuckles blanched, as if he meant to pulverize the damned thing. A thin line of blood trickled from between his fingers.

The stinging pain chipped away at the roiling fury and fixation in his gaze, just a bit.

He huffed a low, bitter laugh, then with a flick of his wrist, chucked the blood-smeared ring into the trash bin.

His stained fingers reached out with careful restraint, softly tracing her sleeping face. In the shadows, the man's stare was heavy, almost tangible. "Dina... don't even dream of leaving me again."

*****

Sure, her official start abroad wasn't until next month, but Dina hated wasting time. She figured she'd jump on organizing her data right away.

All her favorite software and tons of files were stashed on the personal laptop she'd left at the office. Time to retrieve it. So, off to Fighters Group she went.

The instant Dina entered the Fighters Group building, the news zipped up to the CEO's office. "Mr. Woodward, Ms. Gardner's back in the building."

Blair set his papers aside, a smug grin tugging at his mouth. "Finally coming around, is she?"

He fished a plush velvet jewelry box from his drawer. "Deliver this to her. The pink diamond necklace I snagged at auction. And reserve a candlelight dinner; we'll dine together tonight..."

He stopped, reconsidering. "Forget it. I'll handle it myself."

At project department, the second Dina stepped inside, she could tell something was off-kilter.

Her old assistant, Katie Cantrell, was shooting her desperate warning glances.

And sure enough, when she pushed open her office door, there sat Belinda, perched like a queen in her territory.

Belinda lounged in the custom-fitted chair, staring at Dina with open defiance. "Oh, Dina, weren't you canned? What are you doing back here? I figured you'd have too much pride for that..."

Her voice oozed contempt, and she didn't shift so much as an inch. "But even if you're crawling back, don't get any ideas about this office. I'm the director now, your superior. Prime real estate like this? It's mine by right."

"You can..." She glanced out the glass window and pointed to the far corner, stacked with junk and random supplies. "You can plop down over there."

Getting bumped from a private office to a grimy corner desk buried in clutter? That was a slap in the face, plain and simple.

Dina took in her gloating, nasty expression and scoffed to herself. Who cared about some cast-off office or a department circling the drain? Not her.

She kept her tone even. "Where's my laptop?"

"Right there." Belinda smirked, jerking her chin at the trash bin with wicked satisfaction. "Just some junky old machine, why even bother? So stingy and small-minded. Want it back? Dig it out yourself."

Dina looked, and sure enough, her laptop was in there, tossed alongside all her personal items from the office. Smeared with crumbs and coffee spills.

Dina's face hardened.

"Dina." Belinda cupped her rounded belly as she rose, strolling right up to her. Hidden from prying eyes outside, her features contorted into something feral and hateful.

She continued, "You already walked out, so what the hell are you doing back here? My husband's gone, and now Blair's stepping up as my baby's dad, my rock. Why do you keep lurking around like some damn specter, snatching him from me?

"Can't you take a hint and just hand him over?"

Dina was so pissed she nearly burst out laughing. She thought, 'This woman's reasoning is so backwards, even a crook would tip their hat in awe.'

Belinda said, "Dina, you realize Blair and I never went the IVF route. We were rolling in the sheets night after night. Sure, he started out guilty, eyes covered while he worked out his frustrations on me, moaning your name... but eventually, he was fine holding me up against the mirror, breathing heavy...

"He's been all mine for a while now. As long as I'm here, the Woodward family has zero room for you."

The second she finished, Belinda seized Dina's hand, and used it to smack herself hard across the face. She reeled back theatrically.

"Ah—" Belinda shrieked as she crumpled to the floor, hand to her cheek, snapping right back into her wide-eyed, helpless bunny routine.

"Dina!" A bellow thundered from the hallway.

Blair barreled in, carefully lifting Belinda to her feet while giving Dina a vicious shove. "She's pregnant, with my kid! How could you hit her?"

The force sent her reeling, no way to catch herself. Her hip crashed into the desk edge, a white-hot pain ripping through her like her back was breaking. She blanched, sweat breaking out cold and fast.

But Blair's focus was solely on Belinda as he snapped at Dina, "Get your ass over here and apologize to Belinda!"

Belinda snuggled into his embrace, eyes sparkling with victory, but her words dripped with fake forgiveness. "Blair... don't be mad at Dina... It barely stings...

"Dina has every right to be upset. It's my bad. If it weren't for preserving the Woodward family lineage... I never would've ended up carrying your child... Dina, go ahead and slap me however many times you need to feel better."

Blair stared at Belinda's watery eyes and her air of noble suffering, then flicked a glance at Dina's stony stare. Suddenly, she looked downright vile to him. His gaze iced over, laced with revulsion.

Seeing them wrapped up in each other like that turned Dina's stomach, a wave of disgust and hurt surging up stronger than the throbbing in her side.

"Slap you as many times as I want? No issue?" Dina repeated icily, then lifted her hand.

Two crisp, echoing slaps cracked across Belinda's untouched cheek. "Well, wonders never cease. Someone's actually asking for it. These two do the trick, or want me to toss in a couple extras on the house?"

Chapter 7 Trashy Street Brawler

Belinda was completely stunned by the slap, her look of grievance frozen on her face. The burning sting made it impossible for her to process what had just happened. She thought, 'How... how dare she actually hits me?'

Blair was dazed for a split second before his anger exploded. "Dina, have you lost your mind? I really misjudged you. Today, I finally see your true colors. You're so jealous, so vicious! Look at yourself right now; you're acting just like some trashy street brawler!"

"Oh. So what?" Dina casually rolled her wrist, her icy glare cutting through them like a blade. "Don't provoke me again. If you do, I'll slap you both!"

That chilling stare, paired with the throbbing ache on her face, made Belinda flinch back involuntarily.

Dina thought, 'What a coward, bullying the weak while fearing the strong.' She snorted in contempt and turned away from the revolting pair. She grabbed her laptop from the trash can and strode out without a second thought.

"Dina! Get back here!" Blair's face darkened to a furious shade of iron as he bellowed his threat. "If you walk out that door, don't even think about coming back, ever! And you'll be cut out of the AI emotional interaction launch completely."

His words fell on deaf ears.

Dina didn't break stride, leaving without so much as a glance over her shoulder.

"Bang!" In a rage, Blair slammed the jewelry box in his hand onto the floor. He'd meant to patch things up with her. He wondered, 'How the hell has it escalated to this?'

Struggling out of the project department, Dina shook as she braced herself against the wall. The stabbing pain in her waist nearly buckled her knees.

"Ms. Gardner." Katie hurried over to support her, her eyes brimming with worry. "Let me take you to the hospital."

"Thank you."

*****

With her waist badly hurt, Dina headed back to Summit Bay and was forced to stay in bed.

Outside the room, in the dim corridor shadows, Joseph bowed low, his voice heavy as he reported. "Mr. Woodward, we've looked into it. Mrs. Woodward was harassed by Belinda at Fighters Group. That fool Blair is blind as a bat. He even took her side. The bruise on Mrs. Woodward's waist? It's from him shoving her."

"Seeking death." A lethal intent burst from the darkness. The towering man in the shadows looked every bit like the devil himself stepping out of hell. "If he can't keep his hands to himself, then break them both."

Joseph sucked in a sharp breath. Hank and Blair had always been at odds, like fire and water, but he'd never issued an order this brutal before. This time... he'd really crossed the line.

Inside the room, a soothing aromatherapy had been lit once more.

Dina's waist throbbed so badly she couldn't sleep, but moments after the incense filled the air, she sank into a heavy slumber.

In the dark, the bed sank slightly beside her. A slender hand, knuckles sharply defined, gently lifted the edge of her shirt. Her pale, porcelain skin emerged inch by inch.

The man's breath hitched suddenly, his suspended fingers trembling faintly.

Finally, he shut his eyes and applied the ointment to her bruised waist with feather-light care, as if tending to a fragile treasure.

A deep voice drifted through the darkness. "He doesn't value you, so I'm not handing you back to him."

*****

At Fighters Group, in the conference room, Blair's eyes darkened as they landed on the empty seat in the lower left, Dina's usual spot.

Their fights had never dragged on past three days before, but this time, it'd already been a full week. He thought, 'No matter, she'll be back tomorrow for sure.'

He couldn't imagine her walking away from the AI emotional interaction project, "Soul Echoes," after pouring years of her heart and soul into it. And he definitely couldn't believe... she'd actually leave him.

Blair tore his gaze away, his face settling back into its familiar cool confidence. "Tomorrow's launch has to be flawless. The partnership with Wonder Group, it's make or break, no room for failure."

Only by clinching this deal with Wonder Group could Fighters Group shatter its current limits and soar to the next level. Only then would he have the leverage to finally stand up to Hank, who'd always loomed over him.

They were both prodigies. He wondered, 'Why do I have to play second fiddle forever?'

Even after years abroad, Hank returned as the Woodward family's undisputed top heir. He wouldn't stand for it.

This Wonder Group collaboration was the payoff from three years of biding his time and pouring everything into it. This time, victory was his.

"Don't worry, Blair." Belinda sidled closer, her gaze soft and reassuring, her voice full of certainty. "It's all set up. I promise, the Wonder Group deal is as good as ours."

*****

"Ring, ring, ring..." Dina stared at the international call flashing on her phone screen, her finger pausing for a moment before swiping to answer.

"Ms. Gardner, about the industry summit in Vreton on the 18th, do you have time to attend? Wonder Group plans to finalize their partner selection there. As the new head of R&D, the decision's naturally yours. Since you're already in Vreton, headquarters hopes you'll go in person to oversee and choose the right one."

The industry summit... that was also where Fighters Group was holding the launch for their AI emotional interaction software, Soul Echoes.

She'd poured her heart and soul into polishing that project, all to help Blair clinch the Wonder Group deal that very day.

And now... She'd become the one holding the reins. She thought, 'What a colossal irony.'

The corner of Dina's mouth curled into a icy smirk as she replied playfully, "Sure, I'll be there."

*****

On the 18th, downstairs at the industry summit building, Dina walked calmly toward the elevators.

The instant her finger touched the button, a hand darted out from behind. A white cloth pressed firmly over her mouth and nose. She didn't even have a chance to call for help before raw strength dragged her into the nearby dimly lit fire escape.

Meanwhile, in the summit's main hall, Blair, in his custom-tailored suit, glanced at his watch for the fifteenth time. The launch was about to start, and Dina's seat remained empty.

His handsome brows furrowed deeper, his voice low and laced with anger. "Dina still isn't here?"

If she didn't show up soon, she'd miss even the final prep time.

Belinda sighed softly, her tone a blend of resigned patience. "The launch is starting in just a few minutes... maybe she's cutting it close on purpose? To prove how indispensable she is... Dina can be so headstrong sometimes..."

She trailed off, but the implication of "spoiled" hung in the air.

Blair's face grew even stormier, frustration mixing with outright disdain.

His tone turned frigid. "Have everything ready to go. The moment she arrives, get her changed and onstage, no delays, not even a second."

"...Understood." Belinda nodded obediently, but a flash of malicious satisfaction crossed her eyes.

She quickly bowed her head, fingers flying over her screen to send a message: [Done yet?]

Instant response: [Relax, babe, I've got her. She's not making it up there.]

Belinda's lips curved into a triumphant smirk. She thought, 'Time's up. Dina is doomed to miss it. All that stage glory, the credit as Soul Echoes's developer, it will all fall right into my lap.

'Dina, what chance do you even have against me? From now on, everything Dina has, her career, her fame, her man, will be mine.'

"Mr. Woodward, Ms. Hobbs, it's time. Ms. Gardner still isn't here, what now?" A staff member dashed over, panting and drenched in sweat.

Blair's expression was pitch-black, fury radiating off him. He'd never imagined Dina could be this irresponsible, abandoning three years of her own hard work. It was utterly baffling.

Belinda said, "Oh dear, Dina... how could she drop the ball on something this important?"

Belinda feigned annoyance with a little foot stomp, then, as if making a huge sacrifice, turned to Blair with resolve etched on her face. "Blair, we can't hold off any longer. Let's go with Plan B. I'll step in for Dina on stage."

Her gaze burned with affection. "Even if she's not here, I'll do this for you. I'll give it my all to ensure the launch succeeds and we lock in that Wonder Group partnership."

Blair's irritation surged, but he had no other choice. He pinched the bridge of his nose wearily, his voice subdued. "...Thanks for stepping up."

Belinda suppressed her bubbling excitement, adjusted her extravagant custom gown made specially for today, gripped the speech cards she'd rehearsed to perfection, and headed toward the stage with a thrill.

The spotlights locked on.

Belinda beamed sweetly, guided the audience through the presentation, and eloquently detailed Soul Echoes's "core concepts" and "technical highlights."

As the speech ended, the room fell into stunned silence for a full two minutes, then applause erupted like thunder.

"That was mind-blowing! Ms. Hobbs, you're incredible!"

"Holy cow! AI emotional interaction is real? This is groundbreaking! Soul Echoes's going to dominate the global AI market!"

"We're done for... With Fighters Group's Soul Echoes from Belinda, we've got no shot at Wonder Group."

"Just accept it, who else has Mr. Woodward's talent for attracting stars like Belinda?"

The acclaim that should have been Dina's now bathed Belinda in endless limelight.

She stood at the heart of the spotlight, soaking up the adoration like a star surrounded by fans.

Blair watched the "radiant" Belinda on stage. The launch had been a smashing success. He should have been elated. But instead, a heavy weight of anxiety and dread settled in his chest.

He thought, 'How could Dina just throw away three years of blood, sweat, and tears? Could she really...'