Chapter 5

• Meanwhile, in the CEO's office of Vance Group, Vincent sat on the leather chair, facing the headache-inducing financial reports.
• "Damn it! Why are we losing so much?" He threw the documents on the ground.
• The secretary trembled, "Sir, it's because the investment projects you approved are all in trouble. Especially the real estate project, it's under government investigation and we can't get the funds back."
• "Get out!"
• Vincent walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Three months ago, when he took over Vance Group, he thought he had everything he ever wanted.
• But reality slapped him hard.
• He realized he didn't have the business acumen of his late brother Damian.
• The seemingly simple decisions turned into disasters in his hands.
• The assistant said through the intercom, "Mr. Damian, the board of directors is requesting your presence for an emergency meeting."
• This was already the third emergency meeting this week.
• In the meeting room, a dozen well-dressed directors sat around the table, each with a look of dissatisfaction.
• "Damian, we need to talk." Chairman Williamson of the board got straight to the point, "The group's performance continues to decline, the stock price has dropped by twenty percent. Shareholders are questioning your ability."
• Vincent tried to remain calm, "I need time to adjust, after all, I've only just taken over."
• "Three months isn't enough?" Another director expressed concern, "I don't know what's wrong with you. This situation has never happened before. It's like your business acumen has disappeared after your brother's death."
• Twisted anger flashed in Vincent's eyes.
• If they knew it wasn't Damian sitting here now, who knows what their expression would be.
• "I will improve," he gritted his teeth.
• "You better do, or the board will consider other options."
• After the meeting, Vincent dragged his tired body back home.
• Violet came down from upstairs, her belly slightly swollen, warmly welcoming him.
• "Darling, you're back."
• Vincent felt annoyed just looking at her.
• This woman used to be the love of his life, but now he felt bored being with her.
• For some reason, he always felt like she only caused trouble and had no ability to solve any problems.
• "The board bothering you again? Don't worry, everything will be fine."
• "It's nothing, you don't understand the company's affairs." His tone sounded flat due to exhaustion.
• "I'm carrying your child! At least show some concern for us."
• Vincent still didn't look up at her, sounding a bit impatient.
• "I know, I'll cover the medical expenses, just rest well."
• Tears welled up in Violet's eyes. "You've changed, you weren't like this before..."
• "People change," he closed the file, "I'm going to the study to take care of some things."
• "Vincent..."
• He waved his hand wearily and walked away.
• "Violet, I'm tired, leave me alone."
• In the study, Vincent poured himself a glass of whiskey, staring out the window.
• The immense pressure was making him more paranoid and irritable.
• When he had decided to kill Damian, it was not just out of jealousy for his brother's talent, but also because the family heir had always been designated as Damian.
• His father had never given him a second glance as the second son.
• It was then that he remembered the woman he had already "taken care of" — Gianna.
• "That foolish woman must be living a miserable life now."
• He raised his glass, a twisted smile on his face.
• "Without the protection of the Vance family, she must be struggling in some cheap apartment, regretting leaving me."
• This sense of superiority in his imagination temporarily made him forget the setbacks of reality.
• "Foolish woman. If you had just listened to me back then, you wouldn't be in this situation now."
• The next morning, his assistant brought in a document.
• "Sir, this is the invitation and guest list for the annual New York Business Charity Gala. The organizers hope you can attend, it's important for maintaining the company's image."
• Vincent took the document.
• As "Damian Vance," he needed to maintain the image of a successful business leader in public.
• "Tell Violet to prepare an evening gown. We will attend this gala."
• After the assistant left, Vincent started going through the guest list.
• It was filled with elite figures from the New York business and political circles.
• He casually scanned through the names, until his gaze stopped for a split second on a particular line.
• "Gianna Moretti."
• Vincent paused for a moment, then chuckled.
• "Just a coincidence of names. There are plenty of women with that name in the world. How could that poor widow possibly show up at an event like this?"
• He didn't give that name a second thought.
• In his mind, the woman he had abandoned should be struggling to get by in some corner of the city.
• Perhaps sleeping on a homeless man's cardboard box, or making money as a tool for some thug's pleasure.
• "Ridiculous. A nobody, thinking she can compare herself to high society."
• He began to look forward to the gala.
• Looking forward to showing off the charm of "Damian Vance" in front of everyone.
• Little did he know, fate was preparing a huge "surprise" for him.