The Search results flooded the screen: glossy articles, press releases, and official photos. Fred clicked one at random, his eyes scanning every detail.
Daughter of business tycoon Don Pedro Martins… Educated abroad… Returned to take over the family empire after a period of absence…
At that moment Fred leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. His mind was racing. If Regina was connected to Mabel in any way, that could mean trouble, big trouble.
He opened another article, and this time the words felt like they were mocking him: "Known for her resilience and strategic mind, Regina Martins is said to have inherited her late mother's business genius and her father's commanding presence…"
Fred's jaw tightened. Resilience. Strategic mind. Those were the same qualities Mabel had used to challenge him before he crushed her.
He zoomed in on one of the official photos again. The resemblance was too sharp to ignore. The angle of her chin, the arch of her brow… this was no random lookalike.
He sat there for a moment, the weight of the realization pressing on him. If this Regina was Mabel reborn in position and power then all his careful work over the past year was about to be undone.
Fred muttered under his breath, "If it's you, Mabel… you're walking straight into my hands again."
And with that, he began scrolling faster, searching for every scrap of information he could find on Regina Martins, because whether it was coincidence or fate, he needed to know exactly what he was dealing with before she made her first move.
Fred froze for a long moment, the glowing screen still in his hand. His mind churned with possibilities, doubts, and half-formed fears.
If this Regina is really Mabel… why hasn't she come for me?
The Mabel he knew, sharp, fierce, and stubborn would never waste a chance to put him behind bars if she had the power to do it. She wouldn't hesitate. And now, if she was truly the daughter of one of the most feared CEOs in the country, she could crush him with a single word.
No… something didn't add up.
"The man I paid to finish her…" he murmured under his breath. "He never failed me before. He was the only one who could tell me if she's really alive." Fred's voice dropped to a growl. "And now he's gone. I killed him myself for tying up loose ends."
His stomach tightened with regret. The dead stayed silent, too silent.
"But the surname…" His mind wouldn't let it go. "Martins. How can that be a coincidence?"
Fred pushed himself away from the desk, pacing slowly. "I was married to Mabel for five years… and we dated months before that. Yet I knew nothing about her family." He stopped at the window, staring out at the busy city below.
"She always dodged that conversation. And that one time I pushed… she broke down, told me she was an orphan who ran from the orphanage. I believed her." His lips twisted into a grim smile. "She was a good liar when she wanted to be."
He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "This whole thing… it's more complicated than it seems."
Turning back to his desk, Fred tapped the phone screen again, zooming in on Regina's face. Her eyes stared back at him, calm yet confident.
"This mysterious CEO's daughter…" He took a slow breath, studying every detail of her. Then a thought struck him—quick, sharp, dangerous. He checked her relationship status online.
Single.
A slow, mischievous smile spread across his face. "I think I have what I need." He leaned back in his chair, his mind already spinning with plans. "How about a trip to the state capital… to work my way into this young CEO's heart?" He chuckled darkly. "Hmmm."
Fred could already see it—charming his way into her good graces, earning her trust, and then… well, the rest was always easy for him.
"I have dreams… and I belong up there with the big names," he muttered, his tone almost like a vow. "I'll do anything anything to get there."
Without hesitation, he pressed the button on his desk phone.
"Yes, sir?" came his secretary's voice over the intercom.
"Book my flight to the state capital for tomorrow morning," Fred said firmly. "Cancel all my appointments for the next few weeks. I'll be away unless you can handle them without me."
There was a short pause. "Sir, we have some important—"
"Do as I've instructed!" Fred cut her off sharply, his tone brooking no argument.
"Yes, sir," she replied quickly, and the line went dead.
***********************
Mabel stepped out of the sleek black car and into the main entrance of Global Investment's headquarters. The morning sun caught her new red curls, making them shimmer like fire. Her heels clicked confidently against the floor as every head in the lobby turned toward her. Conversations slowed, then stopped altogether. Her beauty was undeniable, but it was her poise calm, commandingthat made people stare.
A young receptionist nearly dropped her pen while greeting her. "Good morning, ma'am."
Mabel gave her a polite nod without breaking stride. She didn't need to announce her position; her presence did it for her.
Moments later, she was in the boardroom, seated at the head of the long glass table. The air carried the scent of freshly brewed coffee and expensive cologne. The board members, some older and seasoned, others young and ambitious, waited for her to speak.
"Good day, ladies and gentlemen," she began, her voice clear but warm. "It's quite unfortunate my father couldn't make it today. He has other engagements, but he sends his regards." She turned slightly, pointing to the man seated beside her. "His P.A., Justin, is here and has all the necessary information."
"Yes, ma'am," Justin said quickly, his tone respectful. "I have been fully briefed."
Mabel gave a brief speech, touching on teamwork, growth, and restoring the company's strength. Then she leaned back slightly. "Now, I'd like to hear from you. Please, introduce yourselves."
The introductions went around the table, each person stating their role and experience. When they finished, Mabel smiled. "I'm open to questions. Feel free to ask anything."
One of the youngest women on the team, a petite lady with eager eyes, cleared her throat. "Please, ma'am," she began, her voice almost trembling with excitement, "your bio says you studied abroad. I'd love to know which course you took… because I'm aspiring to be like you."
Mabel hesitated for a moment, her mind flashing blank. She hadn't written that bio her father had. Before she could fumble for words, Justin smoothly cut in.
"She studied Business Administration," he said with a confident smile. "That's why she's such a strong scholar and leader."
Mabel gave him a grateful glance, masking her relief.
"That will be all for now," Justin added quickly, noticing more hands going up. "Our new boss still has a lot to get familiar with. Let's move to the main business of today."
The company's secretary entered with a stack of thick files and placed them neatly on the table. "Ma'am, these are the list of pending contracts from the last year, waiting for approval."
At that moment Mabel began reviewing the files one by one. Her eyes scanned figures, qualifications, and terms with focus. She was quietly impressed by a few proposals clean numbers, clear visions.
Then her hand froze on a particular file.
Frebel Cooperation.
The name tugged at something in her memory, but the connection remained hazy. She flipped through the pages, noting the inconsistencies, the lack of detail, and sloppy execution. Without hesitation, she picked up her pen and wrote boldly across the file: Rejected.
"This company does not meet the criteria," she announced firmly.
Justin leaned forward, a slight frown forming. "Ma'am, these files have already been approved by the board. We only require the CEO's signature."
"Incompetency shouldn't be overlooked just because it passed through the wrong filter," Mabel replied sharply. Her voice had an edge now, decisive, final.
She tossed the Frebel Cooperation file to the side, its papers scattering slightly on the table, and reached for the next file without missing a beat.