Chapter 456

456
Zora left The Peninsula Spa with Jillian, and after parting ways, she rushed back to the company. She hadn’t checked her phone the entra time she was at the spa and had no idea what was happening outside.
Storming into the CEO’s office, she found her mother already waiting.
“Mom, what’s going on? Why did you call me back in such a hurry ? ”
Without saying a word, Ximena turned around and slapped her across the face.
Smack!
Zora was stunned. She couldn’t understand why her mother had suddenly hit her.
“What was that for? I just pulled off the company’s product launch and the celebration party. You could at least acknowledge my hard work instead of hitting me!”
She was feeling ambitious, eager to prove herself–and now, instead of praise, she was getting punished.
“You want to know why i hit you? I handed you control of the company, trusted you to manage things, and what did you do with that responsibility? Were you planning to bring down the entire corporation?”
Ximena shoved a newspaper in front of her.
“Your so–called launch event–using stolen designs from TIG? Now they’ve gone public with the evidence and even filed a lawsuit. Do you have any idea how much this mistake could cost us? Tens of millions–maybe more!”
Zora glanced at the headline and scoffed.
“Mom, how can you just take Caitlin’s side like that? Maybe she’s the one trying to sabotage us. Why would you believe her over me?”
Ximena was at her wit’s end with Zora’s stubbornness.
“They have evidence. What do you have? How do you expect the public to believe your side when you’ve got nothing to show for it?”
But Zora wasn’t backing down. Her pride wouldn’t let her admit fault.
Just then, Ximena’s assistant entered the office.
“Ximena, there’s been a development. TIG has already identified the person responsible for the leak. It was Joshua, the former VP of LIG. He’s confessed everything in an interview and said that…”
The assistant hesitated, glancing at Zora.
Ximena turned on the wall–mounted projector. The news broadcast showed Joshua being taken away in handcuffs–and in the interview, he named Zora as the one who instructed him.
Watching the footage, Zora’s face turned livid.
“Mom! It wasn’t like that! He came to me, said he had ideas and wanted to help. I didn’t tell him to steal anything! He tricked me!”
“You fool!” Ximena snapped. “Your recklessness got us into this mess!”
Zora, cornered and angry, shot back, “Aren’t you the one who taught me to do whatever it takes to win?”
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The words hit Ximena like a dagger. She had once been that kind of person , but not anymore she had changed. And she no longer
fight Caitlin.
“That was the old me. Listen to me now–don’t compete with Caitlin. You’re not her match,”
Zora sneered. “So now you’ve given up too?”
But she couldn’t let go of her obsession.
“Fine, Mom. I’ll fix this. And after that, I’ll take over the company properly. I’m not afraid of a head–on clash with Caitlin.”
Ximena sighed deeply. Maybe it was time Zora learned the hard way.
“Then start by handling the mess you created.”
Zora issued a public statement claiming the incident was an unfortunate accident, that the company had been deceived by Joshua, and formally apologized to TIG. She also agreed to full compensation.
Joshua was thrown under the bus, made the scapegoat for everything.
After legal negotiations, TIG retained full rights to the “Majestic Elegance” collection and received a twenty–million–dollar settlement. Put XEG’s losses extended far beyond that–their stock prices and public image took a serious hit.
In contrast, TIG came out stronger than ever.
With the situation under control, Caitlin handed the legal follow–up to her team and went with Sebastian to visit Zeke in the hospital.
Hospital Room.
Zeke had just woken up. Seeing Ximena by his bedside, he immediately pulled his hand away.
“What are you doing here? Who said you could come? Get out!”
“Zeke, you’re hurt… Let me take care of you.”
“I don’t need your help! I said get out!”
He wanted nothing to do with her. Ximena swallowed her pain and nodded.
“Fine, I’ll go. Just… don’t get too worked up. Watch your injury.”
She walked out, head bowed. She would endure anything for her son–even rejection.
Zeke tried to sit up, but the pain in his arm was unbearable, and he collapsed back onto the pillow.
Moments later, the door opened again.
“I told you to leave!”
“It’s me.”
Zora walked in, heels,clicking against the floor. She ignored his anger and stood in front of him, locking eyes.
Zeke’s expression turned cold.
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“ What do you want , Miss Harris?”
I know everything about our relationship.”
Zora sat down beside him , eyes gleaming.
“I can’t believe it… we’re siblings. You’re my brother.”
Zeke turned away, silent. He had never once acknowledged her, and he had no intention of starting now.
“Maybe it’s fate,” Zora went on. “Now I’m not alone anymore. I have family.”
Then she leaned in and asked softly, “You’re still in love with Caitlin, aren’t you?”
“Don’t call me that,” Zeke said sharply, eyes narrowing.
Zora smiled, undeterred. “Don’t be so cold. You’re my brother, after all. How about I help you win Caitlin back ? ”
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