Diana wasn't about to beg Charles to save the Spencer Group. Nah, she just wanted to ask him to give her more time to scrape up the cash.
"Ms. Spencer, I got your back. Don't sweat it," Evelyn said, grabbing Diana's hand to show she was in it for the long haul.
Robert adjusted his glasses and chimed in, "Your mom did me a solid back in the day. Now it's my turn to pay it forward. We'll get through this mess together."
Seeing them both trying to cheer her up, Diana felt all warm and fuzzy inside. "Thanks, but chill, I ain't going broke," she reassured them.
The vibe at the dinner table lightened up, and they finished their meal. Diana then asked Robert to join her in the study.
Robert thought Diana had something serious to discuss, and when he stepped into the study, he realized it was more like a mini-library. With his sharp eyes, he immediately spotted the wall of law books on the right.
Robert couldn't hide his excitement and wanted to dive into the books but remembered he had business to attend to.
Just as he was about to speak, Diana waved her hand, signaling that she brought him here to check out the books.
This study was set up by Diana's grandparents. Even though the Spencer family was all about business, they valued education big time.
That was how they raised a rockstar like Bianca. But in Diana's generation, things went downhill.
The original Diana showed no interest in these books, so they just gathered dust. But Robert was a law geek, so it was perfect for him to borrow these books.
Robert was stoked and kept thanking her, feeling a bit less stressed.
After a bit, Diana headed back to her room, leaving Robert to geek out.
She planned to hit the sack early since she had to visit the Percy Group to see Charles the next day.
No appointment, so Diana was ready to camp out there all day if needed.
At 7 a.m. the next morning, Diana got up and had some fresh bread.
She looked chill, but inside, she was dreading what she had to do next.
During breakfast, she even contemplated donning a metal collar to prevent Charles from throttling her.Seeing her down, Evelyn tried to cheer her up, "It's cool, Ms. Spencer. Even if it goes south, I'm here for you."
Diana flashed a confident smile. "I'm tougher than I look. Wait for my good news."
With that, Diana stood up, took a few deep breaths, and left with a determined attitude.
Over at the Percy Group, outside the CEO's office, Clara was a bundle of nerves, clutching her skirt, not sure how to face Charles.
She'd just been released from the police station yesterday, only to find out that the house she'd lived in for over a decade was now Diana's, thanks to a will.
When Nathan and Mia told her, Clara lost it. "Why? That's my house! Dad, go get it back! Now that Diana's out of the Percy family, how dare she mess with us?"
Nathan looked awkward; he had no clue Bianca had left such a will.
But morally, he had no right to take that house.
Nathan married Bianca, promising loyalty. However, he faltered post-wedding, engaging in an affair with Bianca's college friend, Mia, who later bore Clara.
Mia might look all sweet and innocent, but deep down, she knew she was living a life built on lies and theft.
Back in college, she and Bianca were classmates, but their lives couldn't have been more different.
Bianca had it all—money, looks, and even a boyfriend, Nathan, who was the perfect gentleman.
Mia was green with envy every single day, even after Bianca tied the knot.
But after the wedding, the Spencer family's business needed Bianca to run the show. She was always burning the midnight oil, sometimes even crashing at the office, barely making it home.
Nathan? He was never the stand-up guy he pretended to be.
With Bianca out of the picture, he let loose.
Living off a woman bruised his ego, and Mia swooped in, buttering him up.
Nathan felt like a real man around Mia, and it didn't take long for them to hook up.
Then Diana was born, and Bianca, worn out from work and childbirth, eventually passed away. Bianca's parents had already passed away too.
So, it was just Diana left in the Spencer family.
Nathan took over the house, and his former fling, Mia, became his wife, moving into Spencer Villa with their child, Clara.
They lived it up on the Spencer family's dime for years. But now, with everything gone, they were naturally bitter.
Mia tried to calm Clara down, spilling the beans, "Don't worry, Diana won't hold onto that house or the company for long."
Clara was confused.
She'd busted her butt to become a secretary at the Percy Group and knew the Spencer Group had been bought out.
From every angle, this seemed like a win for the Spencer Group—reputation and cash flow.
As long as Charles lent a hand, the Spencer Group could bounce back.
So Clara grabbed Mia's arm, asking, "Mom, what do you mean? Is Mr. Percy planning something against Diana?"
Mia, with a smug grin, patted Clara's hand. "The Spencer Group was never worth much. Since the Percy Group took over, it's been a mess. They don't manage it; they just throw money at it to keep it afloat. Your dad's investments mostly tanked. Charles bought the Spencer Group just to control Diana. Otherwise, why would she agree to the divorce?"
Clara's eyes lit up. "So after the bankruptcy, Diana's gonna be broke?"
Mia nodded, clearly pleased. "Not just broke, she'll owe the Percy Group millions. I don't know the exact amount, but soon, the Spencer Group will go bankrupt, and it'll be quite the spectacle."
Clara was thrilled; this was the best news she'd heard in days. She thought, "Diana, let's see you try to mess with us now."
But with the Spencer Group's bankruptcy, their gravy train would dry up, and Clara was worried. Nathan and Mia were used to living the high life. Would she have to support them now?
So Clara anxiously asked Nathan, "Dad, what are we gonna do after the company goes under?"
Nathan, usually a man of few words, had to tackle this big question.
He patted Clara's shoulder. "The houses we bought before are all in your mom's and my name. The servants have also come over, and the money the Percy Group invested..."
Nathan trailed off but gave a knowing look. The three of them exchanged glances, fully understanding each other.