A week passed. The press frenzy had dulled to a simmer. Camille had vanished, her assets seized, her empire crumbled. Blackwood Industries stabilized, its stock price even climbing—an unspoken public show of confidence in its new queen.
But Nancy didn't rest easy.
Not because she feared Camille's return—she knew it was inevitable—but because power changed people. And she wasn't immune.
That morning, she stood before the mirror, the engagement ring catching sunlight.
Was it real? The love. The trust. The future they were building?
Adrian came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"You're thinking too loudly again," he said.
Nancy smirked. "You're getting better at reading me."
"I've had a great teacher."
---
A Surprise Visitor
In the middle of her packed schedule, Nancy was interrupted by security.
"There's a woman downstairs asking to speak with you," the guard said. "She says her name is Lily."
Nancy froze.
Adrian's ex.
The one who'd walked away.
"Send her up," Nancy said after a beat. "But alone."
---
The Confrontation
Lily walked into the office like a ghost from a dream. Elegant. Composed. But her eyes carried regret.
"You're braver than I expected," Nancy said, leaning back in her chair.
"I didn't come to cause trouble," Lily replied. "I came to say goodbye."
Nancy arched a brow. "You needed to fly across continents to do that?"
"I wanted to see for myself," Lily said softly. "That he's happy. That you're real."
Nancy's fingers drummed the desk. "And?"
Lily smiled—sad and sincere. "He loves you. He really does."
There was a beat of silence before Nancy nodded. "He does. And I love him."
Lily turned to leave, but paused at the door.
"Don't lose yourself in this world, Nancy. It's easy to forget who you are when you sit too long on a throne."
When she was gone, Nancy stared at the city skyline for a long time.
---
An Unexpected Offer
That evening, Nancy received a call.
A private intelligence firm. International. Offering partnership in exchange for a deal.
"We've located Camille," the woman on the other end said. "We believe she's building something off-grid. Something dangerous."
Nancy's pulse quickened.
"What do you want in return?"
"Access. Your backing. And your brain."
She didn't respond immediately.
"Why me?"
"Because you beat her. And because no one sees the game like you do."
Nancy hung up, thoughtful.
Adrian walked in moments later.
"You alright?"
She looked at him, eyes sharp. "I think a new chapter's starting."
He laughed lightly. "Can we at least enjoy this one first?"
She smiled, stepping into his arms.
"For now. But the game never really ends, does it?"