My world was supposed to be filled with the scent of ink from my father’s design studio, Atelier Lumiere, the soft sunlight streaming through the windows, and the warm smiles of employees working with passion.

“Lucy, this merger is the best decision for both of us and for both companies. Why can’t you see that?”

The air in the conference room turned tense. Across from me, my fiancé, Jeff Owen, tapped the table with his fingers, his frustration thinly veiled.

He was the heir to Apex Corporation, one of the country’s leading conglomerates. His chiseled features belied the cold ambition gleaming in his eyes.

“The best decision, Jeff? That’s for Apex’s benefit, right?”

My company is the dream my father built from nothing. Our employees are like family. I won’t let you use them to patch up your failing business.

“You make it sound so bad. I’m telling you, this is a strategic partnership.”

There was a patronizing edge to his voice.

Ever since my father passed away two years ago and I took over as CEO, Jeff’s attitude had begun to shift. The man who once praised my talent and stood by me now viewed my work as just another pawn in his grand scheme.

My father’s words, spoken in a raspy voice as he held my hand on his deathbed, echoed in my mind.

“Lucy, Jeff is too ambitious. There’s a hunger in his eyes that can’t be satisfied. Love can give us strength, but it can also blind us. Never lose yourself, no matter what.”

Back then, blinded by love, I dismissed his warning as old-fashioned worry.

How foolish I was.

“This discussion is over. Atelier Lumiere will remain independent. That’s my decision and my father’s wish.”

When I said it firmly, Jeff fell eerily quiet, then exhaled with a soft laugh.

“Fine. If that’s how you feel, we’ll take a break. Cool off a little.”

His sudden calm sent a chill down my spine.

That night, when I got home, my younger sister, Alyssa, was waiting for me in the living room. She had always been a dreamy girl, drawn to anything sparkly.

I knew she carried complicated feelings toward me, the ever-perfect big sister.

“Welcome back, Lucy. Look at this.”

She held up her phone, showing a tropical resort photo.

“Jeff said, ‘You’ve been working too hard lately. You’ve got that important design competition in Italy next week, right? He thought you should unwind a little before then. So, he arranged everything.’”

“An overseas trip? That’s sudden.”

“But it’s such a big opportunity. Your designs are amazing. You’re definitely going to win.”

Alyssa’s innocent smile and Jeff’s unexpected kindness, it all made me uneasy.

Something unseen lurked behind their gestures.

Still, this competition could be a turning point for the company. Saying no wasn’t an option.

“Thanks, Alyssa. I’ll think about it.”

In the end, I accepted their so-called kindness and flew to Italy.

I threw myself into the competition, shaking off my unease, and won the grand prize.

Exhausted, yes, but my heart was full of pride. Surely now, Jeff would stop talking about mergers.

This was a huge step toward protecting the company.

But the moment I opened the door to my apartment upon returning home, I sensed something was off.

The air was filled with a sweet vanilla scent. I didn’t recognize Alyssa’s perfume.

Confused, I walked to my bedroom, opened the closet, and froze.

The wedding dress I had made from my late mother’s treasured preserved lace was missing.

My heart pounded violently.

What’s going on?

My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was Sandra, my best friend and a brilliant lawyer, one of the few people I trusted completely.

“Sandra, what’s wrong?”

I could even hear the tremor in my voice.

“Lucy, listen carefully. You need to have a seat.”

Sandra’s overly calm tone only heightened my fear. She only sounded like this when something was seriously wrong.

“Alyssa and Jeff got married yesterday.”

For a moment, I couldn’t process the words. They echoed emptily in my mind.

“What are you talking about?”

“In your wedding dress.”

That one sentence shattered my reality.

A cold, heavy sickness rose from my gut.

“Check Instagram. It’s all there. Looks like they planned it the moment you left for your trip. I’m sorry. I should have seen it coming sooner.”

Her voice faded. I ended the call without a word and opened Instagram with shaking fingers.

There it was.

A nightmare came to life.

Alyssa wearing my wedding dress, clinging to Jeff with a radiant smile. A luxurious chapel, an extravagant reception, laughter among friends.

Dozens of photos pierced me like knives, flooding my timeline.

And the most recent post from Alyssa’s account, a photo of the two of them captioned:

The moment we realized it was fate.

Sorry, Lucy, but sometimes love and business don’t wait.

Love and business.

In that instant, everything clicked into place.

The trip, Alyssa’s suggestion, Jeff’s sudden warmth, that single word, business.

Their goal was never just to steal my fiancé.

Their goal was to push me out.

It wasn’t just about stealing my fiancé. It was to take Atelier Lumiere, my father’s legacy, my soul.

A dry laugh escaped my throat. Sadness and rage were replaced by a cold, absolute stillness.

They had no idea what was coming.

My phone buzzed again. This time, it was Kevin, the loyal head of accounting who had supported the company since my father’s era.

A red icon flashed on the screen.

Urgent.

We have a problem. Jeff is demanding an emergency shareholders meeting, citing your absence. The agenda? Dismissal of current CEO and full merger with Apex Corporation.

Of course.

I let out a slow breath and typed my reply.

Kevin, stay calm. Everything is under control. Our counterattack starts now.

I am no longer the powerless woman who can only cry. I will protect the company my father built and the people within it.

If I must become a devil to do so, then so be it.

I redialed Sandra’s number.

“Sandra, it’s me. I don’t have time to cry. This is war.”

“I’ve been waiting to hear that voice. Where do we start?”

“First, hire the best IT investigator out there. I want someone who used to be a hacker. Someone who knows how the underground works. I need access to Jeff’s laptop, phone, company servers, everything. Trace the money, track the women. I don’t care how much it costs.”