Resign? Zora almost laughed. She'd poured everything into this, even hollowing out her own family's wealth, all to seize control of SummitCore. And now he expected her to walk away? Fine, Zane. If this is how you want to play, so be it. Slowly, she sat up straight, tossing her long waves over her shoulder. A defiant smile curved her lips. "Zane, I'm afraid it's too late for that. I'm not quitting. Not ever. Oh, and I forgot to mention—right now, I'm the largest shareholder. Even you have to listen to me." Zane stared, convinced for a moment he'd misheard. "What? What did you say?" With a low chuckle, Zora reached into her handbag and pulled out several documents stamped with official seals. She waved them triumphantly. "While you were gone, I quietly became the biggest shareholder. These are the receipts. Which means SummitCore belongs to Moss now, not Vance. You don't call the shots. I do." Her smile was as dangerous as a poppy field in bloom. "But still, I have to thank you—oh wait, no, I should thank your ex the most. If she hadn't been so incredibly capable, building this company from the ground up, I wouldn't be reaping the rewards now. You, the company... you both owe her. She did all the hard work, and I get to pick the fruit. So you see, my 'thank you' at the engagement party was entirely sincere. Believe me now?" She threw her head back and laughed. "You—" Zane surged to his feet, a sudden wave of dizziness making the room spin. He braced himself against the desk, his vision blurring. A metallic taste flooded his mouth. He wiped the back of his hand across his lips, and it came away smeared with bright red blood. The sight made his chest constrict and his eyes sting.So this is what it feels like to be betrayed by someone you trusted completely. In that instant, his thoughts flew to Darcy. This is how she felt. He really was a complete bastard—let someone whisper in his ear and tossed their seven-year love aside. His eyes, rimmed with red, burned into the woman on the sofa. Clutching his chest, he demanded, his voice raw, "Why? Why would you do this to me? I defended you! I trusted you! And you set a trap for me?! Tell me why!" Zora looked at him with open disgust. "Don't blame me. Blame your own stupidity. Your gullibility." "What did you say, you poisonous bitch?" Zane staggered toward her, hands reaching for her throat, but his strength failed him. He collapsed onto the plush carpet. He'd never felt so utterly defeated in his life. Zora leaned over him, a mockery of pity on her face as she gently wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Zane, let's just forget this ever happened, okay? You can pretend you don't know. We can go back to how things were. You like running the business? Fine, you handle operations. I'll handle the rest. You take the outside, I take the inside—deal?" Zane spat a mouthful of blood onto the carpet. "Not. A. Chance." Zora's expression hardened, the false tenderness vanishing. "If that's your answer, don't blame me for what happens next." Her slender fingers closed around the heavy crystal ashtray on the side table. Five minutes later, Zora straightened her clothes and opened the door to call Rex in. "Rex, please get my fiancé to the hospital. I've got a meeting to run. Thanks." Rex looked at her with deep suspicion. But when he saw Zane lying motionless in a pool of blood, his hands flew to his mouth to stifle a cry of horror. Zane regained consciousness a week later.His fingers traced the bandage on his forehead. As he closed his eyes, the memories of that day flooded back. His face turned to stone, his jaw clenched so tight it ached. She tried to kill me. That woman actually tried to kill me. She was a monster. And if that was true, then the online rumors about her past were probably all true as well. The hospital room door opened. Rex walked in, his face lighting up with relief. "Mr. Vance! You're awake!" He hurried to help Zane sit up. "How are you feeling? Any dizziness?" Rex asked with genuine concern. Zane's lips were pale. He shook his head. "I'm fine. What's the situation at the company?" Rex hesitated, glancing at him uncertainly. "Tell me everything," Zane ordered, his gaze sharp and cold, his expression utterly devoid of emotion. Rex adjusted his glasses, speaking in a hushed tone, "Dr. Moss—oh, Zora—issued an internal notice. Citing your health issues, she's taken over full control of the company. All executives now report to her. She even moved into your office." Zane's face turned ashen. "Help me check out," he said flatly. Rex swallowed hard and reminded him, "Mr. Vance, you're still recovering. You can't leave yet." "And am I supposed to lie here while she steals my company piece by piece?" Zane snapped. As an assistant, Rex's influence was limited. He sighed inwardly. If only Darcy were here. She'd know how to fix this.