"I warned you years ago that ambition without character becomes greed."

"I know."

"Are you certain?"

She closed her eyes.

"I stayed because I loved my husband."

A long silence followed.

"I am leaving because I finally love myself."

Her father exhaled softly.

"Then let me finish what I started."

Within minutes, attorneys in New York, London, Singapore, and Zurich received encrypted instructions.

Emergency board meetings were scheduled.

Corporate ownership files that had remained sealed for more than a decade were opened.

The luxury empire Marcus proudly called Marcus International Hospitality had never legally belonged to him.

Its parent company—

—had always belonged to Isabella's family.

Chapter 2 — Midnight Lockout

At 11:47 p.m., Marcus finished another drink.

Vanessa laughed beside him.

"I can't believe she actually cried."

Marcus smirked.

"She'll beg to come back."

His phone vibrated.

Then again.

Then continuously.

His Chief Financial Officer.

General Counsel.

Regional Director.