After returning to New York, we immediately strengthened our security measures. Alexander hired additional bodyguards, and our apartment and offices were equipped with state-of-the-art security systems. My parents were told to remain in Italy until the situation was safe.

"We need to figure out Katherine's next plan," Alexander said as we sat in his home office. "She won't give up just like this."


I nodded in agreement. "She's lost everything—her father, her influence at Blake Enterprises, even her standing in social circles. She has no choice but to strike back."

Alexander opened his laptop and pulled up a series of files. "My team has been investigating Stanford Group's financial records. We've found something interesting."

He showed me a series of complex charts and data. "Look here," he pointed to a specific transaction pattern. "For the past six months, Stanford Group has been secretly acquiring shares of Blake Enterprises through various shell companies and proxies."


I felt a wave of uneasiness. "Does she want to control the company?"

"Not just that," Alexander said gravely. "She seems to be planning a hostile takeover. If successful, she could remove me from the CEO position."


"But how could she possibly acquire enough shares? Doesn't the Black family hold the controlling majority?"

Alexander's expression darkened. "Theoretically, yes. But after my father's death, the shares were distributed among several family members. Some people... are easily persuaded, especially if the price is right."

I suddenly understood Katherine's plan. "She wants to take revenge on us by controlling the company."

"Yes," Alexander confirmed. "And she's almost succeeded. According to my calculations, she only needs another 5% of the shares to call for a board vote."

"What can we do?"

Alexander pondered for a moment. "We need to find her source of funding. The Stanford Group should be in financial trouble after her father's suicide. She couldn't possibly have enough money for such an acquisition."

Just at that moment, my phone rang. It was an unknown number.

"Hello?" I answered cautiously.

"Ella Black," a familiar voice came through the phone. "Or should I say, Haston?"

My blood froze. "Victoria."

Alexander immediately became alert, gesturing for me to turn on the speaker.

"How clever," Victoria sneered. "I imagine you must be very curious about how I'm calling you from prison."

"I'm more curious about what you want," I replied calmly.

"Getting straight to the point, I like that." Victoria's voice carried a dangerous pleasure. "I want to make a deal."

"What kind of deal?"

"Simple. You and your billionaire husband stop investigating the Stanford Group, and I'll tell you Katherine's real plan."

Alexander and I exchanged a glance. "Why should we believe you?"

"Because, dear stepdaughter," Victoria's voice turned ice-cold, "I know Katherine better than anyone. I know her every secret, every weakness, every plan."

"Including her attempt to kill us?"

Victoria laughed, a disturbing sound. "That was just the beginning. Her true goal extends far beyond that."

I took a deep breath. "State your terms."

"I want full immunity, all charges dropped, and... ten million dollars."

Alexander shook his head, indicating this was impossible.

"You know I can't do that," I said.

"Then wait and see what Katherine does next," Victoria threatened. "Trust me, you won't like it."

The phone suddenly disconnected.

I looked at Alexander, feeling uneasy. "Do you think she's serious?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "But we can't take the risk. We need to accelerate the investigation."

Over the next few days, we delved into the financial situation of the Stanford Group. Alexander's team uncovered a series of suspicious transactions, all pointing to a common source—an offshore company called "Phoenix Investments."

"This company has injected over 500 million dollars into the Stanford Group in the past three months," Alexander's CFO reported. "But we can't trace the original source of the funds."

"Keep digging," Alexander commanded. "I need to know who's backing Katherine."

Meanwhile, I contacted Oliver and asked him to investigate Victoria's communication records in prison.

"She's allowed to make calls, but they should be strictly monitored," Oliver said. "The fact that she could contact you without being recorded means she has help inside the prison."

All of this pointed to a larger conspiracy, a network more complex than we initially imagined.

One evening, as we were preparing for bed, Alexander's phone rang.

"Blake," he answered briefly. Then, his expression turned serious. "When?...I understand...increase security immediately...yes, we'll be careful."

He hung up and turned to me, his face pale. "That was my security chief. They intercepted a plan. Tomorrow, during the board meeting, there will be an assassination attempt against me."

I felt a wave of fear. "What? Who would...?"

"Katherine," Alexander said with certainty. "She knows she can't gain control of the company through legal means. If I die, the shares will be distributed according to my will, and she has probably already bribed enough beneficiaries."

"You can't go to that meeting," I insisted.

"I must go," Alexander said firmly. "If I don't show up, the board might vote to remove me. I can't take that risk."

"Then I'm going with you," I decided.

Alexander shook his head. "It's too dangerous."

"That's exactly why I must go," I insisted. "We're a team, remember? Whatever happens, we face it together."

A complex mix of emotions flickered in Alexander's eyes. Finally, he nodded in agreement. "Alright. But you must have bodyguards with you the entire time."

The next morning, we headed to Blake Enterprises headquarters under tight security. The building was surrounded by security guards, and everyone entering was carefully screened.

The boardroom was located on the top floor, a spacious area with floor-to-ceiling windows on one side overlooking the entire city. When we entered, the directors were already in their seats. Katherine sat at the far end, looking calm and confident.

"Alexander, Ella," she smiled as if we were old friends. "Glad you could make it."

Alexander didn't respond to her greeting and went straight to the point. "We have a lot to discuss today. First, I want to talk about the recent secret acquisition of company shares."

He opened a presentation detailing the Stanford Group's acquisition pattern. The directors looked shocked and confused.

"What does this mean, Alexander?" an elderly director asked.

"It means someone is trying to take control of the company behind our backs," Alexander explained calmly. "And I believe Katherine Stanford is the mastermind behind it."

All eyes turned to Katherine, who maintained her calm smile.

"These are all groundless accusations," she said calmly. "Stanford Group did make some investments, but this is just normal business conduct."

"What about 'Phoenix Investments'?" Alexander retorted. "Can you explain the 500 million dollars that this mysterious company injected into yours?"

Katherine's smile wavered slightly. "Business secrets, Alex. You know the rules."

At that moment, the conference room door suddenly opened, and a waiter pushed a beverage cart in. I immediately felt uneasy—this wasn't normal procedure.

Alexander also seemed to notice something unusual, as he tensed up slightly.

The waiter began distributing drinks, and when he approached Alexander, I noticed his hands were trembling.

Just as he placed a cup of coffee in front of Alexander, I saw a metallic gleam in his other hand.

"Alexander, watch out!" I shouted, lunging toward him.

Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. The waiter suddenly pulled out a knife and stabbed towards Alexander. Alexander quickly dodged, but the blade still grazed his arm. Security immediately rushed forward and subdued the attacker.

In the chaos, I noticed Katherine quietly moving toward the exit.

"Stop her!" I shouted, pointing at Katherine. "She's the mastermind behind this!"

Security quickly intercepted Katherine, and panic finally showed on her face.

"This is absurd!" she screamed. "I know nothing about this!"

But at that moment, the attacker spoke up: "She paid me to do it. Miss Stanford. She said if I killed Mr. Blake, she would give me a million dollars."

Katherine's face turned pale. "He's lying! I've never seen this person before!"

Alexander, despite being injured, remained calm. "Search her phone," he ordered.

The security guard took out Katherine's phone from her bag and handed it to Alexander. He quickly browsed through it, then turned the screen toward the directors.

"Here are all her communications with the attackers," he said. "Every detail of the plan."

Katherine broke down. "You don't understand!" she cried out. "I had no choice! They threatened me!"

"Who?" I asked, walking toward her. "Who threatened you?"

Katherine looked both frightened and desperate. "Phoenix Investments. They're not ordinary investors. They are... they are a criminal organization. They controlled me through my father's debt. They want Blake Enterprises because... because it's the perfect front for money laundering."

The room fell silent, everyone looking at Katherine in shock.

"And Victoria?" I asked. "What role does she play in all this?"

"She's the intermediary," Katherine admitted. "She knows people in the organization. She helped establish the connection."

Alexander walked toward Katherine, despite his bleeding arm. "Game over, Katherine. The police are on their way."

When the police arrived and took Katherine and the attacker away, I held Alexander tightly.

"Are you alright?" I asked worriedly, examining his wound.

"I'm fine," he assured, despite his pale face. "Thanks to you. You saved my life, Ella."

I smiled, although I could still feel the aftershocks of fear in my heart. "We're a team, remember?"

Alexander held me tightly and placed a kiss on my forehead. "Yes, we are. And we'll solve this together, until the end."

As the paramedics treated Alexander's wound, my phone rang. It was Oliver.

"Ella," his voice was tense. "I have news about Victoria. She's escaped from prison."