The following day, Nora arrived at Alexander’s company accompanied by Chloe and Marcus—the two trusted allies always at her side. Chloe supported her through every challenge, while Marcus, her senior, handled all financial matters.

They stepped out of the luxury car Xander had sent to pick them up and stood before the imposing Pierce Enterprises building. Nora removed her sunglasses, tilting her head back to take in the sixty-story skyscraper. Inside, numerous businesses thrived, yet everything remained under the Pierce family’s control. The luxurious marble floors, imported directly from overseas, underscored just how successful the Pierce dynasty had become.

“Let’s go in,” Nora said to Chloe and Marcus.

These two would play crucial roles in executing the plan ahead.

Xander greeted them as they approached, having spotted them from a distance.

“Welcome, Nora. I’m pleased you could make time to join us.”

“Good morning, Mr. Xander. My apologies for our slight delay.”

Xander applauded lightly as a gesture of welcome before leading them into one of the conference rooms, where the board members had already gathered.

Once the meeting began, Xander addressed the room. “You’re all familiar with Ms. Nora, the renowned business consultant from New York. She and her team will now be collaborating closely with our company.” Despite his words, Xander’s expression remained cold and detached.

He gestured for the three to be seated.

“I require full financial access across the company,” Nora stated.

“Ms. Nora, that’s a bold request concerning one of the most critical aspects of our operations,” one executive countered.

Xander shot a faintly sarcastic glance but ultimately instructed his staff, “Grant it. From this meeting onward, I’m placing all authority in their hands. I’ll await the results.”

With that, Xander exited the room, leaving Nora and her team facing over a dozen senior managers. Their skeptical stares and hushed whispers made their disapproval unmistakable.

To them, Xander’s collaboration with Nora spelled disaster. She was known for her ruthless efficiency in exposing corporate fraud.

A staff member handed Marcus the requested data.

After reviewing the documents for several minutes, Marcus leaned toward Nora. “I believe this is the mastermind,” he said, pointing to a specific project that had consumed substantial funds with almost no return—a clear result of Richard’s underhanded dealings.

“My apologies, Mr. Richard, but the project you’re overseeing contains significant gaps suggesting potential corporate fund misappropriation, resulting in substantial losses.”

“What are you implying, Ms. Nora? This is one of Mr. Alexander’s favored projects. Do not speak recklessly!”

Nora presented solid evidence of the calculated losses. Hiring Marcus had been one of her wisest decisions; he was a man no one could easily deceive. This time, he had uncovered every one of Richard’s fraudulent maneuvers.

“Your project is terminated.”

“Ms. Nora, you know nothing about this industry. You may be praised by business leaders across the city, but you cannot interfere with a project I have carefully planned.”

“I was not paid five million dollars to tolerate incompetence, Mr. Richard.”

Richard’s face flushed with anger at her response.

Once the meeting concluded, the three of them gathered in a private office Alexander had provided, fully equipped for their comfort and efficiency.

Shortly after, Chloe returned from a brief call. “Ms. Nora, you’re requested in Mr. Alexander’s office.”

Nora straightened her suit and collected the documents Marcus had prepared, ready in case Alexander challenged her decision to cancel Richard’s project.

Entering the spacious, elegantly designed office, she immediately sensed Xander’s suppressed anger.

“What have you done, Nora? I hired you to fix my company, not throw it into chaos.”

Nora placed the documents on his desk. “I was not paid to overlook blatant corruption, Mr. Xander. You understand this better than I do. Here is proof that the project in question absorbed two million dollars with negligible returns. A thorough cost-benefit analysis confirms the venture was doomed from the start.”

“You believe there’s no profit to be gained?”

Xander opened the file, and when he lifted his head to glare cynically at Nora, she met his gaze with a firm, confirming nod.

“Richard took seventy percent of the budgeted profit for himself. More of your money ended up in his account than was ever spent on the project.”

Alexander closed the document. “Why are you so certain it would have failed?”

“You paid a premium for my services. I don’t intend to sit back and do nothing. I’ll deliver nothing less than excellence.”

Alexander stood and moved closer to Nora. “I was not mistaken to collaborate with a woman like you, Ms. Nora. I will take your findings into consideration.”

“Will there be anything else? I should return to my team.”

“I’ll call for you when I need you.”

Nora rose and exited the office.

As she walked down the corridor toward her room, someone brushed past and slipped a note atop the documents in her left hand.

It read: Thank you for joining our company, Ms. Nora. Be cautious of Richard, whom you confronted earlier. He is closely connected to the Laurent family—specifically, Isabelle Laurent, Mr. Alexander’s fiancée.

Nora crumpled the note, realizing she needed to tread carefully. It seemed many were aware of Richard’s deceit, yet no one had dared to confront him until now.

“Isabelle Laurent, Alexander’s future wife. This game just became more intriguing—and far more complicated than I anticipated.”

A faint smile touched Nora’s lips as she continued to her office. It was hard to believe everything was linked to the family of Alexander’s intended.

Entering the room, she took her seat at the head of the table. “I’ve been warned by one of Alexander’s staff. We must be cautious with Richard. He’s a relative of the Laurent family—Alexander’s fiancée, to be exact.”

Marcus responded thoughtfully, “This is unexpected indeed. Where love and business entangle, betrayal often comes disguised as loyalty.”

“More accurately,” Nora replied, “poison wrapped in gold.”