Chapter 4 - Victoria’s Desperate MoveMeanwhile, in a luxury apartment downtown, Victoria was pacing frantically across her living room. Her contract with the Hawthorne Corporation had been dissolved instantly, wiping out millions in projected revenue for her family's firm.
"He ruined me over a servant and an old beggar!" Victoria shrieked, throwing her crystal wine glass against the wall.
Her lawyer, sitting quietly on the sofa, shook his head. "You don't understand, Victoria. Eleanor Hawthorne isn't just his mother; she holds fifty-one percent of the voting shares in the Hawthorne Board. By insulting her, you didn't just offend a woman—you declared war on the entire empire."
A dark, bitter look settled over Victoria’s face. "Then I’ll make sure the public knows what kind of 'monsters' they are. I'll destroy their reputation before they ruin my business."
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Chapter 5 - The Morning AfterThe next morning, news outlets were flooded with sensational headlines. Victoria had leaked a twisted version of the story to the tabloids, claiming she was assaulted by Hawthorne Mansion staff and wrongfully terminated over a minor misunderstanding.
Chapter 6 - A New RoleEleanor chuckled softly from her wheelchair at the end of the table. "Oh, my dear child, no. You are being promoted."
Chapter 7 - The Poisoned PenVictoria’s media campaign reached a boiling point three days later. She held a live press conference in front of the city's main financial center, posing as a victim of corporate bullying.
Chapter 8 - The Unveiling of the TruthAt 2:00 PM that afternoon, the Hawthorne Corporation held its own emergency press conference. Hundreds of journalists crammed into the auditorium, expecting Alexander to offer a formal apology or a quiet settlement.
Chapter 9 - The ReversalThe atmosphere in the room flipped in a single second. The journalists gasped, their cameras flashing rapidly as they captured the undeniable proof of Victoria’s arrogance and cruelty.
Chapter 10 - Shadows at the GateDespite her public ruin, Victoria refused to accept defeat. Driven by humiliation and hatred, she sought out someone who shared her bitterness: Richard Hawthorne, Alexander’s estranged cousin who had been cast out of the family years ago for embezzlement.
