"I've been waiting for your call."
The deep voice sent a cold shiver down Amara's spine. She paused, taking a moment to steady her breath. "Mr. Chairman, I'm ready."
She couldn't see the smirk that appeared on his face as he leaned back in his chair. "You should have accepted my offer a long time ago, Amara."
"I should have," she replied, her voice steady but with a hint of resolve, "but if your offer still stands, I'd like to accept. In return, I need two things."
Before Amara could finish, the Chairman cut her off.
"I'll speak with Gambino. Liora will be unharmed, and her education will be taken care of. Anything else?"
Amara was taken aback. How did the Chairman know exactly what she was about to ask? Had he been watching her from the shadows? Did he know everything about her situation? Were his men lurking outside her home, waiting for the right moment?
Silence hung between them. Amara didn't speak; the Chairman waited, his presence still felt through the line.
Her thoughts began to spiral. 'Am I making the right choice?'
A dark thought crept in. 'Is the Chairman involved in Mark's death?'
Before she could explore this further, the Chairman's voice vibrated through the phone again, soft but commanding, "Amara," he said, dragging out her name. "I know everything about my employees. There's nothing hidden from me."
Amara's breath finally steadied as the Chairman's words sank in. For a moment, doubt had crept in when she first reached out to him, but now, that uncertainty was gone. She had made the right choice... for herself, for Liora. It wasn't just her who was under his watchful eye—he had a grip on all of his employees.
"Mr. Chairman, my loyalty is yours," Amara said, her voice firm and unwavering. She had made up her mind.
Aligning herself with the Chairman was the only way to protect Liora, and she would do whatever it took to keep her safe. She couldn't save Mark, but she would go to any lengths to protect the daughter they both loved—Liora, their lasting bond.
"Hmm. See you tomorrow, Amara." With that, the Chairman ended the call.
Amara exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of her decision lift. Her most pressing worries had been quelled. Now, she had to earn the Chairman's trust and bide her time.
A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Gambino... you're going to get exactly what you deserve." She gritted her teeth, her eyes narrowing with quiet fury.
It was as if she was preparing for the inevitable confrontation, the moment when she would flip the power dynamic. Just as Gambino and Sven had ruthlessly destroyed a small business owner's life, Amara would ensure they paid for their sins.
Amara smiled through her tears. "I'll let you live until Liora doesn't need me anymore. Until then, I'll pray for your safety."
That evening, her composure finally cracked. She collapsed into a fit of sobs, wailing for the man she had lost, the love of her life, forever taken from her.
***
In the towering halls of Synergy Enterprises, the pride of Avalon City's business elite, sat George Glacier, the Chairman—a titan of the construction industry.
At sixty, his discipline and resolve had kept his body youthful, defying the march of time.
His white hair was swept back with precision, his beard and mustache were neatly trimmed. His deep, resonant voice commanded respect, echoing with an authority that had been earned through years of dominating the construction world.
From the floor-to-ceiling windows of his expansive office, George gazed out at the sprawling skyline—a kingdom of glass and steel, a reflection of his own empire.
A single phone call from him could reshape the secretive underworld where figures like Tony Gambino ruled with ruthless hands.
As the phone rang, George's voice came through the line—deep, unwavering, and authoritative, cutting through the static.
"You'll get what's owed. Leave the Valentine family alone."
No pleasantries, no room for negotiation—just a direct command, the promise of swift justice delivered with lethal precision.
The power shifted in an instant. Even someone as ruthless as Tony Gambino felt the weight of George Glacier's words. The Chairman himself calling him directly could only mean one thing: the first and last warning.
Tony wiped the bead of sweat that rolled down his forehead, his hand trembling as he fumbled with his handkerchief. "Yes... yes, Sir," he stammered, not daring to ask for an explanation. He knew better than to question why the Chairman had involved himself in his affairs. He only knew one thing—he didn't want to face the Chairman's wrath.
The call ended abruptly, leaving Tony simmering with frustration. He clenched his fists, then, in a fit of rage, hurled the phone against the wall.
"So that's where Amara Valentine found the courage to defy me." He finally understood, his anger boiling over.
***
After a long wait at the bakery, Liora and Officer Park returned home.
Liora pushed the door open, surprised to find her mother no longer in mourning attire, but instead dressed casually. Amara had taken a bath, changed her clothes, and was busy setting the table.
When she saw Liora, Amara's face lit up with a gentle smile, and she opened her arms in invitation.
Liora couldn't contain her excitement. She rushed to her mother, throwing herself into the warm embrace. The two held each other tightly, sharing a moment of pure love and relief.
In that brief instant, it didn't matter that the world around them had crumbled. They still had each other. And that, for now, was enough.
"I love you, mama!" Liora's voice was muffled as she pressed her cheek to Amara's neck, breathing in her familiar scent—the smell of safety, comfort, and home.
Amara smiled softly, her fingers gently combing through Liora's hair as her other hand moved in slow, soothing motions up and down her daughter's small back. "I love you too, Ora," she murmured, her voice full of affection.
Officer Park stood quietly at the door, relieved to see Amara composed again. Her calmness eased some of his concerns about Liora.
Clearing his throat, he knocked gently before stepping inside.
"Ms. Valentine, may I come in?" he asked politely, his tone respectful.
Amara's heart swelled with gratitude. Officer Park had been a pillar of support during their darkest moments, a rare kindness in a time when no one else had offered help.
"Officer Park!" she greeted warmly, a soft smile curving her lips. "Please, come in. And call me Mrs. Valentine. Whether Mark is here or not, I will always be his wife."
"Of course, Mrs. Valentine," Officer Park responded with a gentle nod, stepping into the room with a smile of his own.
As he set the array of Liora's favorite treats from the bakery on the table, his actions were quiet, yet filled with care.
"Enjoy your meal," he said, turning toward the door.
But just as he was about to leave, a small hand caught his. Liora's eyes, wide and hopeful, looked up at him.
"Aren't you hungry, Officer Park?" Her voice was innocent, almost pleading.
Amara noticed the bond between them in just two days, and it warmed her heart. With a soft smile, she offered, "Please stay and have a meal with us, Officer Park. I insist."
Dane's eyes softened at her invitation. He had grown fond of Liora's cheerful spirit. He didn't hesitate—he pulled up a chair and sat down at the table, then reached out to pull one for Liora, urging her to sit beside him.
Since the loss of his family, Dane had buried himself in his work, distancing himself from anyone who could remind him of the life he once had. Three years had passed since he shared a meal with someone, and tonight, the silence of his lonely existence would be broken.
The dinner table was heavy with quiet. The clinking of utensils and the occasional soft sound of chewing filled the space, but no one spoke. Each of them seemed lost in their own thoughts, even as they sat together.
Dane couldn't bear it any longer, so he decided to break it. "Liora, which school do you go to?" he asked, his voice almost too loud in the quiet room.
Liora paused, her fork halfway to her mouth. The question seemed to pull her back into the reality of her life—her struggles, her fears. It was one of the reasons she'd missed so many days of school.
"I… I go to Elite School," she said softly, her voice tinged with reluctance.
Dane's throat tightened as he nearly choked on his food. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. His gaze hardened as he turned his attention to Liora, his concern evident.
Amara quickly reached for a glass of water, offering it to him. He took it gratefully, nodding in appreciation before looking back at Liora, his expression more serious now.
"Liora, if you ever need help—anything at all—don't hesitate to call me," Dane said, pulling out two business cards from his wallet. He handed one to Amara and one to Liora.
Amara's brow furrowed as she looked from Dane to her daughter. "Is there something wrong at school, Liora?" she asked, her voice tightening with concern.
The question was sharp, and it hit Dane like a cold splash of water. He realized that Liora hadn't confided in her mother about the terrible things happening to her and other kids at school.
Dane understood these kinds of issues well. As a police officer, he had seen it all—bullying, exclusion, and worse. And though he knew the law could sometimes turn a blind eye, it didn't make it any easier to stomach. The sad truth was that authorities, especially in elite circles, often didn't act unless it was too late.
Liora shifted in her seat, avoiding both of their gazes, and the room fell into a heavy silence once more.
"It's nothing serious, Mrs. Valentine. I just want you and Liora to know that I'm always here to help whenever you need it," he said, trying to ease Amara's worry.
He gently patted Liora's head. "You can count on me, little Liora." He winked at her, and Liora smiled, nodding in response. Dane chose to leave the subject at that for now.
As they ate, Amara's phone vibrated, briefly halting both their conversation and the rhythm of their meal.
Amara furrowed her brows slightly as she checked her phone—one message was from Mr. Chairman, and the other from an unknown number.