Upon their arrival in London, the press swarmed the private terminal, flashes from cameras blinding her as she stepped out of the aircraft. "Mary! Over here!" reporters shouted, their voices clamoring for her attention.
"Mary! Can you tell us what happened in Italy?" another called out, but Benjamin stepped in front of her, shielding her from the onslaught.
"We have no comment at this time," he said firmly, his protective instincts flaring. "Please respect her privacy."
As they made their way through the crowd, Mary felt a mix of gratitude and frustration. Benjamin was doing his best to shield her, but part of her wanted to speak out, to tell her side of the story. Instead, she kept her head down, letting Benjamin lead her through the chaos.
Once inside their home, Mary was met with a wave of warmth from her mother-in-law, who rushed to her side. "Oh, darling! I'm so glad you're back!" she exclaimed, pulling Mary into a tight embrace.
"Thank you, ma" Mary replied, feeling her mother-in-law's grip tighten slightly, an unspoken tension lingering in the air.
"I heard about the money you brought back," her mother-in-law continued, stepping back to inspect her. "This is a significant amount, and we need to use it wisely."
"Of course," Benjamin chimed in, eager to shift the focus away from Mary's Recent trauma. "We'll do what's necessary."
Mary took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "Actually, I want to discuss one thing first."
Her in-laws looked at her expectantly, their faces a mixture of curiosity and wariness. "What is it?" her mother-in-law asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I want to investigate the attack in Italy," Mary stated firmly, her heart racing. "I need to know who was behind it and why."
Benjamin frowned. "Are you sure that's necessary? Maybe it's best to let it go for now."
"No," Mary insisted, her voice rising slightly. "I need answers. I can't just move on without knowing."
Her mother-in-law exchanged a glance with her husband, then turned back to Mary. "If that's what you want, we'll arrange for it. But we'll need to keep it discreet."
"I want my new personal bodyguard to handle it," Mary added, her heart pounding as she spoke the words. "Asher."
The room fell silent, shock washing over her in-laws' faces. "Asher?" her mother-in-law echoed, her voice dripping with disbelief. "The man who was arrested? Do you want him involved?"
"Yes," Mary replied defiantly. "He saved my life, and I trust him."
Benjamin looked taken aback. "Mary, are you sure about this?"
Before she could respond, Asher walked into the room, his presence commanding and confident. He greeted everyone with a nod, a friendly smile on his face, though the tension in the air was palpable.
"Good to see you all again," he said, glancing around the room. "I hope everything's alright."
Her mother-in-law stared at him, her expression a mixture of surprise and suspicion. "What are you doing here?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
"I'm here to help, as Mary requested," Asher replied smoothly, meeting her gaze without flinching.
"You're the last person I would want involved in this," she said coldly. "You're not welcome here."
Mary felt her chest tighten. "He's my bodyguard now. You need to accept that," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Are you out of your mind?" Benjamin interjected, stepping forward. "Asher's not part of this family. We don't even know him."
"He has the skills we need," Mary insisted, her heart racing as she stood her ground. "He can help us uncover the truth."
After a long moment of silence, her mother-in-law sighed, her expression softening slightly. "Very well. If that's what you truly want, we'll allow it. But understand this, Mary this isn't just a game. You're playing with fire."
"I know what I'm doing," Mary replied, her resolve hardening. "I need to know who tried to hurt me."
Asher offered a small smile, gratitude flickering in his eyes. "I'll do everything I can to keep you safe, Mary. We'll find out who's behind this."
Once Mary left the room with Asher, her mother-in-law turned to Michael, the head guard. "I want you to investigate who Asher really is," she ordered, her voice low and menacing. "We can't afford any more surprises."
"Yes, ma'am," Michael replied, his tone serious.
As Mary and Asher stepped into the hallway, she felt a mix of relief and anxiety. She was finally taking control of her life, but the challenges ahead were daunting. "Thank you for trusting me," Asher said quietly.
"I just hope it was the right decision," Mary replied, biting her lip as she contemplated the road ahead.
As they stood together, the weight of the world pressing down on them, she couldn't shake the feeling that their fates were intertwined in ways she couldn't yet understand. The danger was far from over, and as they began to strategize their next steps, she realized that she had plunged into a world fraught with secrets and shadows, where trust was both a blessing and a curse.
The grand ballroom of the Loven estate was alive with laughter and clinking glasses as the employees of Logan Construction celebrated their recent triumph. After weeks of uncertainty and impending bankruptcy, the company had not only survived but thrived, thanks in large part to Mary's Relentless efforts. The atmosphere was buoyant, and the soft glow of chandeliers illuminated the room, reflecting the joy that permeated the air.
Mary stood at the edge of the gathering, a glass of champagne in her hand, her heart swelling with pride. She had fought hard to keep the company afloat, and seeing the smiles on the faces of her colleagues and friends made it all worthwhile. The stockholders surrounded her, their gratitude palpable as they shared their thanks.
"Thank you, Mary, for keeping your word," one of the older stockholders said, his voice gruff with emotion. "You saved our jobs, our families. We owe you everything."
"I only did what was right," Mary replied, forcing a smile despite the tension tightening in her chest. Her mother-in-law, who had barely acknowledged her since their earlier confrontation, was lurking in the shadows, her displeasure evident. Mary felt the weight of her scrutiny, the sharp edge of judgment hovering in the air.
As the evening progressed, the laughter grew louder, and the music swelled, drawing more guests to the dance floor. Mary's Mother-in-law was not among them, still sulking at a table, sipping her drink with a scowl. Mary wished she could reach her, to mend the rift between them, but tonight was about celebration.
"Mary, we'd like you to say a few words," one of the stockholders said, gesturing toward the makeshift podium at the front of the room.
Her stomach flipped at the thought of addressing the crowd, but she nodded, steeling herself for the task ahead. "Of course," she said, her voice steady.
As she approached the podium, she felt the eyes of everyone in the room on her, their expectation heavy. Clearing her throat, she began, "Thank you all for being here tonight. I stand before you not just as your CEO but as someone who believes in this company and every single one of you."
The crowd cheered, and Mary's Confidence swelled. "This company has faced many challenges, but together we have triumphed. I know the road ahead will be rocky, but I believe in us. I believe in our ability to work hard, support one another, and thrive."
As she spoke, she felt a surge of emotion rise within her, memories of the recent attack flooding her mind. "I also want to address the attack I experienced in Italy. It was a terrifying ordeal, one that made me realize how much I value each of you. We must look out for one another, both inside and outside these walls."
The applause was thunderous, yet she caught sight of her mother-in-law's expression from the corner of her eye. It was a mix of contempt and disbelief, and it made her stomach churn. Despite the success, nothing she did seemed to be enough for the woman who had always resented her.
"Let's keep pushing forward together!" Mary concluded, her voice strong. She raised her glass in a toast, feeling a surge of solidarity with her team. "To Logan Construction and to all of us!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, glasses clinking as they celebrated their collective victory. But as the noise faded into the background, Mary's Mind wandered to Benjamin. He had been by her side throughout this journey, and she hadn't seen him since her speech. A pang of concern shot through her.
"I'll be right back," she told the stockholders and slipped away from the crowd, scanning the room for Benjamin. She made her way through the throng of guests, her heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and determination.
As she walked deeper into the villa, the music faded, and the atmosphere shifted. The inner rooms were quieter, and she hesitated for a moment before pushing through a set of double doors. The moment she stepped inside, the sight before her froze her in place.
There, in a dimly lit corner, Benjamin was locked in an embrace with her best friend, Sara. Their lips moved together in a passionate kiss, and Asher's hands were tangled in Sara's hair, oblivious to the world around them. Mary's Heart sank as disbelief washed over her.