The city had returned to its rhythm—taxi horns, flashing billboards, people bustling with purpose. But beneath that surface calm, the world of Blackwood was shifting.
Nancy stood before a packed boardroom, confidence radiating from her every move. The board members, once skeptical of her sudden rise, now leaned in attentively.
"As of today," she announced, "our internal investigation team has successfully recovered over eighty percent of the assets Camille funneled through offshore accounts. Legal proceedings are underway, and we've filed formal charges for corporate sabotage and data manipulation."
Applause followed—tight, professional, but respectful.
Adrian, standing off to the side, caught her eye. He didn't smile. He nodded. The kind of nod that said, You didn't just survive. You owned it.
---
Later That Day – Blackwood Penthouse
Nancy twirled a spoon in her coffee, Muffin snoozing beside her on the couch.
"Do you think she's really gone?" she asked softly.
Adrian was at the kitchen island, slicing fruit. "Camille? Maybe. For now. But a person like that doesn't disappear unless they want to."
Nancy set the cup down. "Then we stay ready."
"Always," he said.
She eyed the fruit suspiciously. "Why are you slicing strawberries like that?"
"It's a romantic gesture. Didn't you say you like hearts?"
"Not when they look like deformed blobs."
Adrian smirked. "Art is subjective."
Nancy flicked a grape at him. He dodged, barely.
"Hey! Assault on the CEO!"
"I am the CEO," she said proudly.
He bowed. "Then I surrender, Your Majesty."
Their laughter filled the penthouse, echoing like the remnants of a storm long passed.
---
Meanwhile – A Dark Apartment Overseas
Camille stared at the news headlines glowing on her cracked tablet screen. Her assets were frozen. Her influence disintegrated.
She pressed her lips together.
"Nancy," she whispered, "you think you've won. But all queens eventually fall."
Behind her, a shadow moved.
A figure stepped into the dim light.
"Are you ready?" the stranger asked.
Camille nodded. "Let's begin again."
---
Back in New York – A Private Moment
Nancy stood on the rooftop garden of Blackwood Tower as dusk painted the sky in crimson and gold. Adrian joined her, handing over a small box.
"What's this?" she asked.
He shrugged. "Just something... symbolic."
Inside, nestled in velvet, was a ring—not flashy, but elegant. A thin band of gold intertwined with platinum. Strong and simple. Like her.
"It's not about contracts anymore," he said. "Not business. Not revenge. Just us. What do you say?"
Nancy looked at him—really looked.
"I say we write our own terms this time."
He slid the ring on her finger, and she kissed him slowly, deliberately, as if sealing a pact forged not in ink, but fire.