Chapter 7
302words
His company declared bankruptcy, drowning in debt. Worse, several fraud cases emerged from the wreckage—illegal operations he'd hidden for years—leaving him facing massive lawsuits and potential criminal charges.
And Victoria—his "one true love"—had vanished overseas with his last liquid assets (likely embezzled) at the first sign of trouble, leaving nothing but a trail of luxury shopping receipts.
Nathan himself disappeared completely.
Rumors varied: some said he'd retreated to his rural hometown, drinking himself into oblivion to escape creditors; others swore they'd spotted him working at an internet café in some backwater southern city, so haggard and beaten down he was barely recognizable.
My life, meanwhile, had entered an entirely new chapter.
Under my leadership, Stellar secured one groundbreaking project after another. The Skyward system became the industry gold standard, and I became the tech world's newest star. In magazine profiles, I appeared as I truly was: confident, brilliant, unstoppable.
Then came the email from the world's premier AI research lab—a place I'd dreamed of working since college.
They wanted me to lead their most ambitious project, offering complete creative freedom and resources beyond imagination.
It was the dream I'd abandoned years ago, before Nathan entered my life.
My assistant approached cautiously. "Ms. Shaw, our major projects are at critical stages and need your oversight. Should I decline this offer?"
I gazed out the window.
The city skyline stretched beneath a perfect blue sky, endless with possibility.
After a moment, I clicked "Reply."
My fingers flew across the keyboard without hesitation.
"Thank you for the opportunity. I look forward to joining your team."
The debt was settled. The nightmare over.
Time to move forward.
Toward a wider horizon and the brilliant future that finally, truly belonged to Wendy Shaw alone.
