The moment Carolyn was released, she started calling all her contacts, desperate to win back their support. But it was no use. It felt like the entertainment industry had locked its doors on her—for good. "Mom, you have to help me. Try calling Mr. Merrow, please? No one will take my calls. If I get blacklisted now, my career is over. I'm out already—doesn't that prove I'm clean? They can't just treat me like this!" Monique pushed Carolyn away. She stared at her daughter's disheveled appearance, fury simmering in her eyes. "Just look at yourself. What kind of state is this?" Carolyn fell silent. "You still want to crawl back into that filthy entertainment world? Let me be clear—even if you could go back, I wouldn't allow it," Monique said coldly. "Forget it." "Mom, what are you saying?" Carolyn didn't understand.Monique's expression darkened. "That bitch Chloe managed to squeeze thirty percent of Lewis Group shares out of Scott. Soon, she'll be the company's largest shareholder." "What?!" Carolyn's eyes went wide. Thirty percent? How much was that worth? If she remembered correctly, her mother had fought for years just to get ten percent out of Scott—and even that had felt like pulling teeth. Ten percent was already worth over 100 million dollars. So thirty percent would be... The thought made Carolyn's gaze turn icy. "How could he do that?" "From now on, pull yourself together. Starting Monday, I'll arrange a position for you at the company," Monique said, her tone growing colder. "So what if Chloe holds shares? Without real power, her vote means nothing. Carolyn, you need to work hard. Earn your place at Lewis Group. Once Scott's shares end up in our hands, and with..." Monique's lips curved into a proud smile. "Then we'll be the true owners of Lewis Group." "Mom, I won't let you down. I'll pay back every single dirty trick Chloe used on me—with interest. She can keep dreaming. Lewis Group belongs to us." "But, Mom... will Scott even let me into management?" Carolyn asked, suddenly hesitant. "Whether he agrees or not, it's not his decision to make," Monique snapped, the memory of Scott slapping her in the car still fresh and infuriating. ***** Chloe put on her sunglasses and went to the mall alone. She'd promised Robert she'd bring him back something nice to eat. She did a quick round of shopping, picking out some snacks, milk, and even a small toy for him. After she paid, she left the mall. She hadn't driven, so she walked to the curb to call a ride.Just as she pulled out her phone, a low-key black sedan pulled up sharply in front of her. The moment it stopped, Chloe instinctively took a step back. The car was brand new—it didn't even have license plates yet. The passenger door opened, and a man in black got out. He nodded to her respectfully. "Ms. Lewis, please get in. Master would like to see you." He stepped forward, came up to Chloe, and opened the rear door. The back seat was empty. Chloe looked at him but didn't move. When she stayed silent, he spoke again. "He has been waiting a long time. Please don't make this hard for us. Please get in! Or else he will get angry." Even though there was only the driver and this one man by the car, Chloe could spot three other black sedans parked along the curb within 110 yards.A small smile crossed her face. Her eyes shone in a way that was hard to read. Finally. It took them long enough. She'd been waiting for this day. Chloe checked the time on her phone. Without a word, she walked over and got in the car. The man reached for her shopping bag, but she held on tight. "I've got it." She climbed in with her things. The door shut, and the car sped off. Chloe looked out, but the windows were tinted dark—she couldn't see a thing outside. Sitting back, she had no clue where they were going. They drove for about half an hour, the car gliding silently through quiet streets, before finally stopping in front of a private villa. The moment the car stopped, the door swung open with a soft click."Please step out, Ms. Lewis." Chloe got out with her bag and followed the man inside, through a corridor, across a courtyard, and into the main hall. Two guards stood at the entrance. When they saw Chloe carrying her things, their expressions turned alert, eyes narrowing slightly. She still had her phone in her hand, and they moved at once, hands reaching out to grab it from her.