dragged her away. Her cries slowly faded, replaced by th

de, a forced, reassuring smile plastered on hi

d practiced. He approached me, holding out the box. "I brought you somethin

nt, cloying scent of Karma's perfume, sweet and arti

whispered, attempting to

suffocating. The scent of her, mixing wit

ed out, pushing him back,

rst back into the foyer, having escaped her captors.

ing finger at me. "Look what she did to me! She branded me! Sh

e?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. He pulled Karma closer, shielding her. "I tol

. "You promised me, Josiah. You promised you'd pro

ou? You've become so cruel, so vindictive! Is this what you want? To destroy her life? Her future?" He took a step forwa

ice, a tremor running through it. "What abou

s of conflicting emotions: anger, frustration, and

out a dramatic sob. "Josiah, I...

, my voice barely a wh

streaming down her face. "Yes!

My world spun faster, threatening to swa

ascent joy-crossed Josiah's face. He looked at Karma, then bac

s. He carefully scooped her into his arms, holding her as if she were made of fragile glass. A ge

e," I managed to say, my voi

stled securely in his arms, a triumphant smirk flashin

s he strode past me, not even a glance in my direction. "And

of my legal team entered the foyer, led by my formidable attorne

his voice calm and precise, "but I believe the situation has now clar

ho had paused at the threshold, c

voice tight with impatience, still cradling

"This is a court order. As of this moment, all your shares in Chase Innovati