Jace turned the car around the corner.
A red car shot out from the side street.
He slammed the brakes.
His car skidded, screeched.
And came to a full stop.
But the red car didn’t.
It barreled forward. No attempt to brake.
The impact exploded through the frame.
The front of Jace’s convertible folded in. The hood twisted upward, steam hissing. Glass shattered into the air. The windshield cracked like a spiderweb. Chrome bits flew across the asphalt.
The force jolted Jace hard. His head slammed back into the seat. His ears rang.
He gritted his teeth, forced his eyes open.
Then turned to Camila.
She was slumped back in the seat, eyes closed, not moving.
A thin stream of blood ran down her right temple.
He grabbed her shoulders. "CAMILA!"
Her head tilted slightly.
Eyes fluttered open. "...D... Dad?"
Relief hit, but didn’t last.
Jace reached down, popped open the car’s emergency compartment. Then tore open the first-aid kit and grabbed the bandages
Camila leaned forward slowly. Her fingers touched her bleeding forehead.
"Dad... don’t worry."
But her voice was strained, and her face twisted in pain.
Jace shouted, "What are you saying?! How can I not worry when you’re bleeding?!"
He pressed the bandage to her head, wrapping it tight. His hands trembled.
After securing it, he pulled out his phone and booked a taxi to the nearest hospital.
A woman stepped out of the red car.
She wore a cream coat over a fitted black dress. Her heels clicked on the pavement. A gold chain rested at her neck. Her sunglasses pushed up into honey-blonde hair.
"Shit," she muttered, staring at the dented hood. "I just bought this yesterday..."
Jace looked at the woman. He didn’t move.
One arm held Camila close, shielding her.
But his eyes burned with rage.
She walked toward him, her expression calm.
Jace didn’t look away. His stare sharpened. His body tensed.
Like he could snap at any second.
She sighed, adjusting her hair. "What a hassle."
Jace snapped. "What the—!"
A system screen blinked in front of his eyes.
"Name: Elaria Allen. Age: 32. Status: Dating.
Occupation: CEO of L.V. Entertainment Inc."
"Risk Level: High. Time Limit: One Year."
"Funds Authorized: $500,000."
Jace’s eyes locked on the last line.
"Note: Please proceed with caution."
Elaria pulled out her phone. She asked casually, "How much?"
"To shut your mouth?" Her voice was flat. Almost bored.
Like someone bleeding because of her reckless driving was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Jace’s blood boiled. He wanted to crush her skull right there, but held back.
"Half a million," he said, as a nerve twitched in his temple.
Elaria blinked. "W–What??"
She scoffed. "Are you crazy? Your car isn’t even worth two hundred grand."
"Then one hundred," Jace said through clenched teeth. "And don’t even think about talking it down."
His voice dropped, cold.
"That’s the price of hurting my daughter."
Her brows raised. "D—Daughter?!"
Jace didn’t answer. He just looked at her. Their eyes locked. The air between them froze.
The silence cracked when she sighed. "Fine. I’ll transfer it."
She looked at her phone again. "But I can’t send it to your regular account. You’ll have to wait."
Jace opened his own phone and showed her. "Transfer here. It’s a virtual account."
He looked her dead in the eyes. "Untraceable."
Seconds later, the alert came. Transaction complete.
Right then, the taxi pulled up.
Jace stepped out of the wreckage, helped Camila up carefully. She winced, one hand still holding her head.
He opened the door and helped her inside.
Behind him, Elaria’s voice rang out. Sharp. Arrogant.
"If I hear even a single rumor," she said, "don’t expect to live a peaceful life."
Jace didn’t answer, didn’t look back.
He climbed in and told the driver, "Drive as fast as possible."
His hand clenched into a fist. His nails dug into his palm so deep, his skin bled.
At the hospital, Camila was checked.
The doctor came out. "She’s not in danger, but she’s lost quite a bit of blood. She needs at least a month of rest. I’ll prescribe some medication to help her recover."
Jace let out a shaky breath. Relief hit like a wave.
Two hours later, they were discharged.
Before leaving, Jace rented a new car. He also paid $40,000 from the one hundred grand to the rental house for the damage.
On the drive home, he and Camila barely spoke.
Back home, Maribel opened the door.
Her eyes locked on Camila’s bandaged head.
"What happened!?" she screamed, rushing over.
They all sat in the living room. Jace explained everything.
Maribel touched Camila’s cheek, eyes wet with tears.
"I’m sorry." Jace said, his expression grim.
Both women looked at him.
"I... even in that moment... I was asking for money," he said bitterly. "If only I had been wealthier... this wouldn’t have happened."
His voice cracked. "If only I was more capable—"
Maribel reached out and touched his arm gently. "Don’t say that."
Camila added softly, placing her hand over his, "Dad... it’s not your fault. Please don’t blame yourself."
Jace looked at them both.
Then pulled them into a hug.
Tears streamed down his face.
"Don’t cry," Maribel said softly.
Camila muttered, "Dad, let go... it’s hurting," her tone playful.
Jace let out a quiet laugh, even as the tears kept falling.
For the first time in a long while, he felt... whole.
’That bitch. I’ll make her pay for everything.’
Inside the Alchemira Labs boardroom.
Jace sat among the executives, dressed in a charcoal suit, crisp white shirt, and a platinum tie clip. The fit was effortless, sharp. A sleek watch gleamed on his wrist.
Beside him sat Ava. Her posture was straight, but her hands trembled under the table.
"Mr. Jace," she whispered. "Do you know why they called this meeting?"
Jace shrugged. "Maybe they have something to announce."
He saw her nerves. Reached over. Placed his hand gently over hers.
Ava stiffened, surprised.
He leaned in. "Don’t worry. Whatever it is, I have veto rights. Your uncle can’t fire you."
Ava stared, then nodded. "T—Thank you."
Jace gave a small smile.
Then the meeting began.
A man stood. Late forties. Serious face. "Good morning, esteemed executives. I’m John Harris. Alchemira’s legal counsel."
He cleared his throat.
"Today, we have gathered for an important announcement."
Everyone fell silent.
John paused, scanning the room.
"Please welcome our new CEO and majority shareholder—"
His voice shifted, steadier now. Full of weight.