I texted my best friend begging for $70 for my starving baby, but a wrong digit sent the message straight to a stranger who showed up 30 minutes later.

By March, I had settled into my role at Cole Industries.

My days were filled with designing health protocols for our company’s daycare centers, coordinating with pediatric doctors, and ensuring that working mothers in our firm never had to face the cruel choices I had been forced to make at my old job.

However, Lucas Ward’s downfall had created ripples within the upper echelon of Indianapolis society.

Lucas’s family—the Wards—were old-money aristocrats who held significant shares in various local enterprises. His mother, Victoria Ward, was a prominent socialite who viewed her family’s standing as absolute.

On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, I was finishing a presentation in the main conference room when Clara knocked on the door.

"Elena," Clara said, her voice tight with concern. "There's a woman downstairs in the lobby demanding to see you. She refuses to leave, and she’s making a scene with security."

I stepped out into the lobby to find an older woman dressed in a mink coat and diamond earrings, pacing furiously near the marble fountain. Her face was twisted with bitter anger.

"You must be Elena Vance," Victoria Ward sneered as I approached, her voice dripping with venom. "The little charity case who ruined my son's career!"

Several employees stopped in the lobby, whispering and watching the scene unfold.

"Mrs. Ward," I said calmly, keeping my posture straight and professional. "If you want to discuss personal matters, we can do so in a private room. Please do not make a scene in this office."

"Private room?!" Victoria barked, taking a step toward me. "You stole my son’s equity! You blackmailed him with Ethan Cole’s help and forced him out of his own company! All over some illegitimate child that probably isn't even his!"

The lobby went completely dead silent.

I felt a surge of cold fury, but before I could speak, a commanding voice boomed across the atrium.

"Security, escort this woman off the premises immediately."

Ethan walked out of the private elevator, his face dark as thunder. He stepped directly between Victoria Ward and me, his tall frame towering over her.

"Ethan Cole!" Victoria gasped. "How dare you treat my family this way! We supported your father’s campaign for—"

"Your son embezzled company funds and abandoned his severely ill daughter, Victoria," Ethan said, his voice ringing with cold authority. "If you set foot in this building again, I will personally see to it that the Ward family's remaining credit lines with our banking partners are revoked by nightfall. Am I making myself clear?"

Victoria gaped at him, her face turning bright red with humiliation as two large security officers flanked her, politely but firmly guiding her toward the glass revolving doors.

Ethan turned to me, his eyes filled with fierce protection. "Are you alright?"