Anya's heart pounded with a furious rhythm as she walked out of the Oakhaven department store, the sleek shopping bags feeling heavy in her hands. She had Zara by her side, chattering about the latest fashion trends, but Anya barely heard a word. Her mind was a whirlpool of anger and betrayal. She had just taken full control of her late mother's company, a company her stepfather and stepsisters had stolen from her. The legal battle had been brutal, but with Lex Volkov's help, it was a fight she had won. Her victory, however, was a hollow one. The truth was far more sinister than she had ever imagined.
She had learned from Lex that her mother hadn't died of a sudden illness as she had been told. Instead, she was poisoned, a slow and agonizing process that her stepfather and stepmother had orchestrated to seize the company. The knowledge was a venom in her veins, and she now wanted nothing more than to see them all pay. She wasn't just a victim anymore; she was a vengeful force, and she was ready to make them feel the same pain they had inflicted on her.
"Anya! Look out!" Zara's voice snapped her back to reality. Anya looked up just in time to see her stepsisters, Clara and Sophia, storming toward them. Their faces were twisted with a mixture of rage and desperation. They had lost everything—their lavish lifestyle, their social standing, and the company they believed was their birthright.
"You witch!" Clara shrieked, her voice echoing in the busy street. "You think you can just take everything from us and get away with it?"
"We'll see about that!" Sophia added, her eyes narrowing into slits.
Anya felt a cold calm settle over her. She dropped her bags, the expensive leather hitting the pavement with a thud. "Get away with it?" she repeated, a dark laugh escaping her lips. "You think I'm the one who needs to get away with something? You should be more concerned about what's coming for you."
"What are you talking about?" Clara spat, taking a step closer.
"I know what you and your parents did to my mother," Anya said, her voice dropping to a low, dangerous whisper. "I know you poisoned her. I have the proof, and I'm going to make sure you all rot in jail."
Sophia's face went white. "That's a lie! You're just trying to scare us!"
"Am I?" Anya's smile didn't reach her eyes. "My father and stepmother are going to be facing some serious charges, and I'm going to make sure the world knows what kind of people they really are. This company was my mother's legacy, and you all stained it with her blood. I'm going to clean it up and restore it to its former glory. As for you two, you can start looking for new jobs. You're out of a home and out of a job, just like you always deserved."
Meanwhile, across town at the Volkov Group's private casino, Lex Volkov sat at a poker table, his face a mask of calm focus. A new business opportunity was on his mind, and he was ready to put his ruthless tactics to work. His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the message from Anya: "It's time. I'm telling them everything." A small, satisfied smile touched his lips. He had warned her not to act alone, but he knew her well enough to know she wouldn't listen.
Just then, his head of security, Dimitri, approached him. "The doctor is here, boss."
Lex nodded and excused himself from the game. He walked into his private office, where a man with kind eyes and a sharp suit was waiting. "Ben! It's been a long time," Lex said, a genuine warmth in his voice. "I hear you're the best surgeon in Oakhaven now."
Ben, Lex's childhood friend and a brilliant doctor, shook his hand. "I try. I hear you're still Oakhaven's most formidable business tycoon. What's this about a business venture?"
Lex gestured for him to sit down. "I'm expanding the Volkov Group. I'm thinking of adding a new division—a pharmaceuticals company. I want to build a research and development arm that focuses on cutting-edge medicines and treatments. I want you to head it up. You have the knowledge and the network. We can make a lot of money and a lot of good in the process."
Ben raised an eyebrow. "Pharmaceuticals? That's a huge departure from your usual ventures."
"The world is changing, Ben. We have to change with it," Lex replied, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "I've always believed in diversification. Besides, with your help, we could create something truly incredible. I've already done my research, and there's a huge gap in the market right now. The company I have in mind is on the verge of bankruptcy. I'm going to buy it, but I want you to run it. I trust you."
Ben thought for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face. "That's a massive undertaking, Lex. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Lex leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. "I've been ready for a very long time."