Panic flickered in Vivian''s eyes. What she feared most was that her grandfather would give up on her.

"Grandpa, please give me one more chance," she pleaded. "There''s a bidding event in a few days. I''ll win the partnership for Wilson Corp-I promise."

She had made so many mistakes. This was the only way she could redeem herself.

"Foolish," Mr. Wilson snapped, shaking his head in disappointment.

"I know I messed up," she said softly.

"But the real problem isn''t just that you acquired Merihan. It''s that you were willing

to sell off Wilson Corp''s shares to do it. You clearly don''t understand how unpredictable this world is. Even a small missing percentage can be the one thing that brings you down," he said, his voice filled with bitter regret.fn3993 Follow current nov?ls on Find~Novel/fn3993

Vivian knew it was serious. What worried Mr. Wilson even more was who had picked up those shares.

"Did you look into it? Who bought them?"

“I did,” she replied quickly. "I had my assistant check it out during the sale. It looks

like they were picked up by a foreign investment firm."

Mr. Wilson eyed her suspiciously. "Are you sure?"

"Of course," she said, trying to sound steady.

"I''ve already sent someone to investigate what happened in West Ridge," he warned. "For your own sake, I hope you''re not lying to me."

Vivian''s heart clenched-but she kept her expression calm.

After the reopening, Pine Mist Ind Resort was practically deserted. Not a single guest checked in.

The media had picked it up too, runningparisons between Pine Mist Ind and Harbour Crescent Ind Resort. Even when Harbour Crescent was at its quietest, it never looked this bad.

"Who''d go to a ce where someone died?"

"Doesn''t matter why it happened just gives me the creeps. No way I''m setting foot in that hotel."

"Same here. It''s cursed or something..."

Melvin sat reading the onlinements, rubbing his temples in frustration.

Sarah walked over with two sses of wine, setting one down in front of him. "You''ve seen them?"

"It''s everywhere. Hard to not see it," Melvin said with a bitter smile.

"There weren''t many guests to begin with. Now the Wilsons are using paid trolls to stir things up

online it''s only scaring more people

away. Did you send anyone to

counter it?"  s

Melvin gave a heavy nod. "We started this morning. But the trolls were already in full swing before we

eventeated. #hermoods already

shifted, People are spooked. If it keeps up like this, Pine Mist Ind''s going to shut down."

belongs to s

He took a slow sip of wine and set the ss down, running a finger around the rim

in a slow, thoughtful circle.

Sarah walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down over the East Coast skyline.

To the right stood the entertainment

agency building. On the left was a

major shopping center. The Sanders family''s properties held a prime

position right in the middle of it all

s

"In this era of entertainment," she said quietly, "reputation doesn''t matter as much

as people think."

Melvin turned to her, confused. "What do you mean?"

A yful smile tugged at Sarah''s lips. "Melvin, I think I''ve got an idea."

"What kind of idea?" Melvin raised a brow.

Sarah grabbed his hand and pulled him to the window, pointing at the building on the right. "What do you see?"

Melvin looked for a moment, still puzzled. "The entertainment agency? Yeah, it''s got pretty solid prospects."