As Veronica Rivers made her dramatic entrance, several other guests Mrs. Rivers had invited arrived at the Rivers family home. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, with Mrs. Rivers casting a disapproving glance at Veronica, unable to understand her daughter's behavior.
Since her return from abroad, Veronica had only been home once, spending the majority of her time working at the company. Yet now, she was back, and her first act was to demand an apology for Mike Carter.
Mrs. Rivers sighed heavily, her face stern. "Veronica, you and Sophia should go greet the guests."
Veronica, however, didn't budge. Her commanding presence radiated an unyielding resolve that filled the room.
"If you don't go now, the guests will think we're being rude." Mrs. Rivers repeated, her tone firm.
Veronica ignored the plea and approached Mike, her eyes scanning him with careful precision. Her gaze was intense, as if peeling back layers to confirm a suspicion she couldn't yet voice.
The room was still, and Chris Miller, along with Sophia, watched the exchange in disbelief. Sophia had always seen her sister as a strong, untouchable woman who rarely took notice of men. Yet here she was, deeply focused on Mike.
Veronica's voice broke the silence. "It's you, isn't it?" she asked softly.
Mike raised an eyebrow, confused but composed. He had a hunch about what Veronica meant, but he didn't want to confirm it prematurely.
A few days earlier, Veronica had overheard a conversation in the Miller family office, where Mike's name was mentioned. Though she hadn't seen him, she couldn't shake the thought that he might have been the one who helped her family during the crisis.
Her investigations led her nowhere—no visible strings, no discernible traces. But everything pointed to Mike Carter.
"The car outside," Veronica continued, her voice more certain. "Is it yours?"
The room seemed to freeze. Sophia dashed to the window, her heart racing as she took in the sight of the gleaming red GTR parked outside. The car's striking appearance was impossible to ignore.
Even Chris, who had spent the entire evening undermining Mike, felt his confidence waver. His lips moved, but no words came out.
"It's impossible," Chris finally muttered, trying to regain his composure. "That car isn't his. It's part of the 'Living Like a Tycoon' reality show!"
Chris knew this because the Miller family was one of the investors in the show. The GTR was a highlight meant to create buzz for the program. How could Mike be connected to it?
Sophia turned to Mike, her voice trembling. "Mike, is the car really yours?"
Mike scratched his head, smiling faintly. "Yeah, it's mine."
Veronica's gaze remained steady, her intuition confirmed. She turned to her mother, her voice firm. "Mom, we owe Mike an apology. He's the reason we're all standing here today."
Mrs. Rivers blinked, taken aback. "What are you talking about, Veronica?"
Veronica took a deep breath, her commanding voice filling the room. "Do you remember the incident with the Huntsman family? If it weren't for Mike, I wouldn't be standing here today, and the Rivers family would have crumbled."
The room fell silent, her words sinking in like a stone. Even Sophia was stunned, piecing together the implications.
"Mom, the rumors about Mike are lies. He's not just some student. He's the one who saved us from complete ruin," Veronica continued, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
Mrs. Rivers' expression shifted. Her skepticism melted into a mix of shock and gratitude. She finally spoke, her voice soft but genuine. "Mike, if this is true, I... I owe you an apology."
Sophia's heart swelled with pride, and even Chris was momentarily silenced. But his moment of shock soon gave way to anger.
"Enough of this nonsense!" Chris suddenly roared, slamming his hand against the table. "This is all a setup! That car isn't his, and he's just a participant in that stupid show!"
Chris's outburst startled everyone. Veronica turned to him, her gaze icy. "Chris, enough. Your family's investments don't excuse your behavior."
But Chris wasn't done. He pointed a shaking finger at Mike. "Half an hour. That's all I'm giving you. In thirty minutes, you'll lose everything. The Rivers family will regret crossing me!"
Before leaving, Chris Miller deliberately smashed a bowl that had fallen onto the chair. Pointing at Mike Carter, he shouted, "Mike, take a good look at your fleeting glory! I'm giving you only half an hour!"
"In thirty minutes, you'll lose everything!"
"And your Rivers family too! Last time, you narrowly avoided ruin by sheer luck. This time, try your luck again!"
"Veronica, aren't you so capable? Fine, let's see how your Rivers family stands against the Millers! Let's see how much you can keep!"
With those harsh words, Chris Miller stormed out of the Rivers residence.
The entire Rivers estate fell silent. Everyone inside and out had heard his ominous declaration, and their hearts sank.
The Miller family's wrath was no trivial matter. When they struck, the Rivers family would undoubtedly bleed.
In the hierarchy of River Valley City, the Millers and the Bears weren't even in the same league.
Mrs. Rivers, who had been preparing dinner, lost all her enthusiasm. She realized she had overlooked a critical issue: the Miller family's influence wasn't just significant—it was foundational to the Rivers family's rise. The playful childhood betrothal between Sophia and Chris had been a symbol of that connection.
But now, everything was unraveling.
Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.
The Rivers family could ignore the Bears' provocations.
They could even tolerate Sophia's romantic choices.
But to antagonize the Millers and risk their alliance? That was a line they couldn't cross.
As Chris stormed out, other invited guests began arriving.
Veronica's uncle, visibly exasperated, was among the first to step inside. He sighed deeply before chastising her, "Veronica, how could you be so reckless? Don't you understand the Miller family's importance? Just last month, they signed a fifty-million-dollar outsourcing deal with us. That contract alone sustains an entire subsidiary of our company!"
"For years, the Millers have kept us afloat. Do you realize how many of our people rely on their business opportunities to feed their families?"
"Have you lost your mind? All this over such a trivial matter!"
"And honestly, was it even worth it?"
Veronica raised her elegant eyebrows, her calm demeanor unshaken by her uncle's outburst. His points weren't baseless, but she had her reasons.
A faint smile played on her lips as she retorted, "Uncle, you're oversimplifying things. For the Rivers family to rise, we must cross this hurdle. Do you know why the Millers didn't intervene when the Bears targeted us?"
"Do you know why, despite Chris Miller's supposed affection for Sophia, the Millers never once proposed a marriage alliance?"
"Even the largest pie attracts those who wish to take a bite. Back then, the Millers supported us because we were useful. But for the Rivers family to stand at the top, we must surpass the Millers."
Her words carried a commanding air, silencing the room.
Even Mike Carter was taken aback. Veronica's poise and determination left him momentarily stunned. She was every bit the formidable woman he had imagined—a true force to be reckoned with.
Her uncle, however, chuckled dismissively. "Veronica, don't lose sight of your roots. Do you really think we have the means to challenge the Millers?"
It was impossible.
The Miller family controlled many of the resources the Rivers family depended on. Competing with them would require completely uncharted avenues, which the Millers would never allow.
And now that Chris had publicly declared his enmity, their options were even fewer.
"Go find Chris Miller and bring him back immediately, by any means necessary!" her uncle bellowed, slamming the table with his fist.
Veronica, however, stood firm, her voice unwavering. "Uncle, with all due respect, I am the CEO of the Rivers Group now."
Her uncle's frustration boiled over. "Then tell me, what are we going to use to fight the Millers?" he demanded, pounding the table again for emphasis.
Veronica's gaze slowly shifted toward Mike Carter.
Her uncle followed her eyes and then burst into derisive laughter. "You mean him?" he sneered. "Are you joking?"
"Chris was right about one thing: he's just a nobody! Everything he has—his cars, his money, his so-called influence—was given to him by someone else!"
"Push him to his limits, and his castle will collapse. He'll have nothing left in no time!"