No More Birthdays Together

The moment I arrived at the hotel, I got a call from my lawyer, Gael Levine.

"Ms. Miller, there's been a bit of a situation with the handover at the company. You should come down to avoid any misunderstandings."

My heart skipped a beat.

At the time, Frankie had refused to take over the trading company because he didn't want to be seen as someone who couldn't make it on his own. So, in order to support him with the pig ranch, I had to find someone else to manage the company.

As I recalled that the person managing the company was someone Frankie had recommended, a bad feeling crept over me. I rushed to the office.

Sure enough, as soon as I stepped out of the elevator, the front desk was swarming with people.

"Ms. Miller, you're finally here. This lady says the company is hers and won't let me continue with the process," Gael said while looking to the side.

I took a step forward. When I saw Evie sitting in the executive chair, I was too stunned to speak.

A fire of rage burned in my chest. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm.

Memories flashed through my mind of when Evie first returned to Arkvine, and Frankie had attended her company's ribbon-cutting ceremony.

At the time, I'd wondered what kind of woman could start a company the moment she came back. With the way Frankie kept praising her, I actually thought she was some kind of powerful businesswoman.

I didn't expect that Frankie, who had always sworn he wouldn't accept charity, had handed my company over to Evie.

Suppressing the rising rage within me, I glared at her arrogant face, ready to reveal who I really was.

However, before I could speak, Evie beat me to it. "Frankie gave me this company. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be home feeding pigs?

"I remember Frankie saying that all you know how to do is feed pigs. I, on the other hand, have to work hard. I manage the company by day and serve him by night. You're the one who gets to live the good life."

With a smirk, she casually adjusted the large diamond ring on her finger. Her voice dripped with pride and mockery.

I took a deep breath and said slowly, "This is my company. Please leave now."

Upon hearing that, Evie sized me up as though I had just told her the funniest joke. "Renee, did spending all that time with pigs actually turn your brain into mush? Look at yourself. Your company? Do you even deserve it?"

She waved her hand and called for security. "Captain Dillon, how is it that any random frumpy villager can just waltz into my company building and cause a scene? Is this the level of security we're paying for?"

A uniformed, overweight man quickly stepped forward, positioning himself between Evie and me. He gestured for me to leave.

I slapped his hand away when he tried to grab my wrist. "I told you, this is my company. Can't you hear me?"

Seeing that Captain Dillon didn't recognize me, Gael quickly handed over the documents I'd given him.

"Everyone, these are the legal documents for the company. The information clearly shows that my client, Ms. Renee Miller, is the rightful owner. Please—"

Before he could finish, Evie stood up and ripped the papers to shreds.

It was lunchtime, so a crowd of onlookers quickly gathered.

"Honestly, with the economy in such a slump, all sorts of lowlifes are coming out of the woodwork!"

"Tell me about it! Bernee Trading has been around for ten years. Mr. Sutton and Ms. Dotson have always managed it hands-on. Everyone knows that. And now some random person is claiming to be the owner? She's probably desperate for money."

"Is she one of Mr. Sutton's side chicks? But those village rags… Mr. Sutton surely isn't so starved that he'd settle for just anything."

Their gossip was loud enough for me to hear, and I felt a suffocating tightness in my chest.

Gael noticed my discomfort and quickly led me to the window.

Just then, the elevator doors opened again, and the crowd fell silent.