pter 2: The

rs stood as a symbol of power and success. The sleek glass skyscraper towered over the bustl

carefully organized files and a sleek laptop humming softly. The faint tick of the clock was the only sound in the room. Antonio liked i

agnates in the country. He had taken over the Valdares Group at the tender age of twent

ldares Group from the ground up, Miguel was both a visionary and a demanding parent. He instilled in A

void that Miguel tried to fill with success and ambition. Instead of bedtime stories, Antonio's evenings were filled with lessons on business st

hadowed by his high expectations. "You're a Valdares," Miguel would say,

accident shattered Antonio's world. At twenty-one, he was forced to take the reins of the company with little preparati

ed to adjust. At seventeen, Isabella was still reeling from their father's death, and Antoni

Antonio," Isabella had said during

d, his tone sharp. "The company needs m

nd out of place, she eventually left for Europe to

and polite but distant interactions during holidays. Deep down, Antonio missed his

ved around boardrooms, business deals, and carefully orchestrated public appearances. The tabloids often speculated about his

, competitors, even supposed friends-attempt to use him for their own gain. Over time, he bu

often lay awake at night, staring at the ceiling of his

, knocked softly on the glass door a

uled for ten, and the regional branch audit report will be ready

hout looking up. His voice was calm but c

's also a charity gala this weekend.

cessary evil, one of the many obligations he loathed.

s. His sharp eyes caught the standout results from one branch in particular. A name in the report-Pa

absently, before movin

me he had just read would soon challenge everythin