THE DISABLED HEIRESS, MY EX-HUSBAND WOULD PAY DEARLY.

She paused for a moment, then leaned forward slightly. "But that 20% stays with me. I won't hand it to you, or to anyone else. That's a line I'm not going to cross."

Malisa exhaled slowly, nodding slightly in support.

"If the merger actually comes, then I'll find another solution," Cora continued. "There's always another way. Always. And I won't be pressured into giving away the one thing that holds this company together."

At that moment Lovi opened his mouth to speak, but Cora raised her hand slightly. "I'm not finished."

She looked him dead in the eye.

"And if it comes to this, i have someone I trust. A very close friend, someone who knows this system better than anyone. I'm going to consult him. I need to know if this merger nonsense is even possible in the first place, or just another scare tactic James is trying to use."

She seated comfortably, adjusting the sleeve of her jacket.

"So no, Lovie. You're not getting the 20%. And if that means we all have to think a little harder… then so be it."

Cora could sense it, something in Lovie's tone had shifted. He was trying hard to sound casual, like everything was just fine, but the tension in his jaw, the stiffness in his smile… it betrayed him.

Lovi chuckled, dry and forced, before leaning slightly forward. "Well, Cora, it was just a suggestion," he said slowly, his fingers interlaced in front of him on the table. "I'm not saying it because I'm greedy or because I want to take advantage of you."

His eyes flicked toward Malisa, then back at Cora.

"I just thought it was the safest way to handle the situation. But since you're not having it…" He gave a slight shrug and leaned back again. "Then no problem. I won't push you any further."

Cora didn't flinch. Her expression remained unreadable.

Lovi smiled—too quickly. "I mean, there are formal channels. You can run it through the system. Transfer the money however it suits you. I only made the offer because I thought I could help. That's all."

But as he spoke, Cora wasn't looking at his words—she was watching his eyes. And she could see it clearly. Behind that overly polite expression, something dark was swirling. Something bitter.

Deep down, Lovi was fuming.

His plan had been simple deceptive, but simple. He had fabricated everything. The documents, the supposed threat of James pushing for a merger, the idea that Cora's 70% was at risk it was all a calculated lie. A manipulation designed to make her panic, to make her act fast… and give him a piece of the pie, but she didn't fall for it, and that alone was enough to make his blood boil.

Inside, Lovie's thoughts were spinning. This was the perfect opportunity, he told himself. The timing, the setup… I had everything in place. The fake evidence, the carefully crafted script—it was all supposed to lead to one outcome: Cora handing over 20% of ZXZ shares into his waiting hands.

He had orchestrated the entire illusion so carefully. And now, with one calm refusal, she had undone it all.

But he didn't let it show. No, he couldn't. Not yet.

Instead, he smiled again, softer this time. "Well then," he said with a practiced calmness, "I guess we'll just proceed the normal way."

He stood, brushing invisible dust off his sleeve. "I've tried my best to help you, Cora. That's all I can say."

Cora said nothing. Malisa's stare never left him.

And as he turned to leave, behind that smile behind that gentlemanly nod Lovie's mind was already working. If this method failed, then so be it. There would be others.

Because this isn't over, he thought.

Not even close, he cooked the story. He manipulated the lie. And if that didn't work? Then he would find another angle. Another weakness. Another door. Because someone like him never left empty-handed.

No one was true concerning James wanting to do a merger. It was just his manipulation and Cora didn't fall for it. Which simply means he's going to try another method.

As Lovi stepped out of the restaurant, the smile on his face vanished. The crisp evening air did nothing to cool the fire in his chest. He walked briskly toward his car, each step echoing with bitter thoughts. When he got inside, he didn't start the engine. He reached under the passenger seat and pulled out a small receiver device connected to a discreet earpiece. It was already transmitting.

He had planned ahead.

A tiny, near-invisible listening device had been planted right underneath the corner of the table they sat at. He knew Malisa and Cora would talk more once he left, and if there was one thing Lovi was good at, it was gathering secrets… especially the ones people didn't want him to hear.

Back inside the VIP room, Malisa turned sharply toward Cora, not hiding her frustration anymore.

"Well," she said flatly, her arms crossed, "his money will be transferred to him soon. That's all. If we need him again, we'll contact him on our terms. Not his."

However Cora didn't respond. Her fingers were gently tapping against her glass, her mind clearly elsewhere.

Malisa leaned in slightly, her voice low but firm, "Now talk to me, Cora. What's your plan?"

Cora raised her eyes to meet hers, calm but unreadable.

Malisa continued, "If, by any chance, what that manipulator just said is true… then we can't wait till it's too late. Who are you going to transfer the 20% to? Because whoever it is, it has to be someone you trust completely. Someone who'll never even think about betraying you."

Cora sighed and leaned back. For a long moment, she said nothing. She was thinking—deeply.

Then, finally, her lips parted.

"I'm not sure for now," she said slowly. "But if anyone comes to mind… it's Oliver."

Malisa blinked. "Oliver?"

Cora gave a small nod. "He's the only one I know who has absolutely nothing to gain from betraying me. If I hand it to him, I know it will be safe. He doesn't want my money. He doesn't want my power. He's never asked for anything."

Then Malisa tilted her head, considering. "You sure about that?"

"I've known him long enough to be sure," Cora replied.

But miles away, just outside in the parking lot, Lovi's knuckles whitened around the steering wheel. The moment the name "Oliver" hit his earpiece, his entire face twisted. His jaw clenched so tightly it could've cracked a tooth.

He whispered bitterly under his breath, "So… Oliver?"

He didn't even try to hide the venom in his voice. His breathing deepened, slow and furious.

"Who is this Oliver?"