Chapter 2

My attorney, Jamal, was a top expert in the field.

Ten years ago, when I decided to become a hands-off boss, I sought him out.

At the time, I had just inherited the company my father left behind.

The company wasn't large, but due to mismanagement, it was drowning in debt and on the verge of bankruptcy.

My father's dying wish was for me to save the company.

But I was naturally lazy and had no clue about business management.

Back then, Franklin was a dirt-poor nobody with overwhelming ambition. He pursued me obsessively and catered to my every whim.

I saw the hunger in his eyes.

I needed someone who could do the work. He needed a platform to climb the ladder.

We hit it off immediately.

Before we got married, I brought Franklin to meet Attorney Jamal.

Jamal drafted a prenuptial agreement and a company management authorization agreement that could only be described as harsh.

The agreement stated clearly: I owned the company, Franklin only had management rights. As my husband and agent, he could exercise management duties on my behalf, but all major decisions and equity changes required my personal signature.

His annual salary and bonuses were spelled out in black and white.

At the time, Franklin was dazzled by money and beautiful promises of the future. He signed without hesitation.

He thought that once we were married, both me and my company would be his.

He was too naive.

I've never believed in love. I only believe in contracts written in black and white.

These past ten years, I seemed completely uninvolved, but every financial statement, every board resolution—Jamal organized them all and sent them to me.

Every transaction Franklin and Lisa made, I knew about.

I knew they worked together to inflate performance numbers, win over shareholders, and hollow out my authority.

I even knew they secretly used company funds to register several subsidiary companies under Lisa's relatives' names, attempting to transfer assets.

I knew everything.

The reason I didn't act was because I was waiting.

Waiting for them to make the pie as big as possible. Waiting for them to think they had victory in hand. Then I would take everything back, with interest.

Now, the time had come.

"Attorney Jamal, they tried to buy me out for ten million." My tone on the phone was calm and matter-of-fact.

Jamal chuckled lightly on the other end. "Sounds like they've completely forgotten who they actually are."

"They've forgotten. We'll help them remember." I said.

"What do you need me to do, Ivanka?"

"First step: send a lawyer's letter. Notify the board and all shareholders that effective immediately, I'm revoking all authorization given to Franklin. All company seals—corporate, financial, and contract seals—are to be secured immediately pending handover."

"Second step: file for asset preservation. Freeze all bank accounts belonging to Franklin, Lisa, and their affiliated companies."

"Third step: notify the financial regulators. I'm reporting current CEO Franklin for embezzlement and illegal benefit transfers."

I issued my instructions clearly, one by one.

Jamal recorded everything quickly on his end. "Understood. Ivanka, you still have that founding document, right?"

"I do."

That was my final trump card.

It was what my father left me—the company's original charter with the highest legal authority.

Buried in an inconspicuous additional clause, it stated: Company founder Ivanka possesses veto power over any company resolution. This clause is permanent, unalterable, and cannot be diluted.

Franklin and his people always thought I only had that hundred percent equity stake.

They didn't know I also held this card that could flip the entire table.

After hanging up, I drove home.

To the villa Franklin and I had lived in for ten years.

He probably wouldn't come back tonight.

Fine by me. I couldn't be bothered dealing with him anyway.

I walked into the dressing room and retrieved a sealed manila envelope from the safe in the deepest corner.

I ran my fingers over the wax seal, my eyes clear and sharp.

Dad, I haven't failed you.

I'll protect what you left me.

Anyone who tries to take it will pay the price.

The next morning, Attorney Jamal worked with exceptional efficiency.

The lawyer's letters were delivered at maximum speed to every member of the board.

Almost simultaneously, court summons and asset freeze orders were served to Franklin and Lisa.

I could imagine the ghostly expressions on their faces when they saw those documents.

My phone was blown up with calls.

Company shareholders. Franklin. Lisa.

I didn't answer a single one.

I changed clothes, put on light makeup, and drove to Elena's art gallery.

She was instructing a student in painting when she saw me and raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"Well, well, the sun must be rising in the west. You, the ultimate lazy bum, actually got yourself out of the house?"

I smiled and sat down on the sofa across from her.

"I'm here to tell you some good news."

"What?"

"I'm planning to go to work."

Elena's paintbrush clattered to the floor.

She stared at me with wide eyes, her face full of disbelief.

"You? Go to work? Do you have a fever?"

"No fever." I picked up the lemon water on the table and took a sip.

"Franklin and Lisa want to push me out."

Elena's expression instantly darkened. She knew those two cheaters were up to no good.

"How dare they?!"

"They think because I'm lazy, I'm easy to bully." I set down the glass and looked at her, my eyes filled with unprecedented determination.

"So I've decided to stop being lazy."

"I'm going to take back my company and make them leave with absolutely nothing."