Chapter 17 - THE NEW HORIZONNews of Victoria Vance’s engagement to Ethan Carter, a former military veteran and auto mechanic, swept through the media like wildfire. While corporate tabloids gasped at the unlikely romance, the public embraced their love story as a real-life fairytale.
Victoria didn't care about corporate gossip anymore. She restructured Vance Enterprises, handing over day-to-day operational control to a trusted management team so she could focus her time on family and the Vance-Carter Medical Foundation, which provided free medical care and bone marrow testing for low-income children.
Ethan opened his own custom auto restoration shop, backed by his own savings and hard work, refusing to simply rely on Victoria’s wealth. He wanted Maya to grow up seeing the value of hard work and integrity.
One afternoon, Victoria visited Ethan’s new workshop. She stood at the entrance, watching him work under the hood of a classic 1967 Mustang, his muscles flexed, dark grease smudged across his cheek.
"Need a hand, mechanic?" she called out playfully.
Ethan slid out from under the car, wiping his hands on a rag. A slow, handsome smile spread across his face when he saw her standing there in a simple summer dress.
"You're a bit underdressed for a garage, CEO Vance," Ethan joked, walking over to wrap his arms around her waist, intentionally leaving a tiny smudge of grease on her nose.
"Hey!" she giggled, trying to rub it off. "I came to tell you that Maya’s final medical checkup just came back."
Ethan’s smile softened into deep emotion. "And?"
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"100% healthy," Victoria whispered, tears of happiness shining in her eyes. "She’s completely cured."
Ethan pulled Victoria into a tight, lifting embrace, spinning her around in the center of the workshop while their laughter echoed through the building.
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