Chapter 158

Chapter 158

Seraphine's POV

Whitaker Group. Top floor. President's office.

Bad news had been pouring in all day without a break.

All the shareholders had gathered in the office, trying to persuade me.

"You're well aware of Octavius's intentions. He wants to swallow up the Whitaker Group—that's why he hasn't dealt us a major blow. He's only acquired shares and called on partners to suspend cooperation. That's already letting us off easy!"

"Exactly, Seraphine. Right now, the most important thing is to maximize profits. Don't hold on to this company anymore—it's pointless!"

"The company is completely paralyzed. Even the employees know the group can't continue operating. They're all out looking for new jobs. There's no way the company will turn around. Just let it go."

"Figure out what assets you can liquidate, what you can sell off, and protect yourself."

All these shareholders were urging me.

They had already voluntarily sold their shares to Octavius and were ready to take the money and run.

Their decision not to remain shareholders and keep profiting from the Whitaker Group was the smart move.

Leaving at this point meant no losses whatsoever.

They'd made plenty over the years, and now they could cash out one last time without offending Octavius. The shareholders had nothing to complain about.

But I truly didn't know what to do next.

The man I loved had now become my enemy.

My father wasn't the man I had imagined.

Heath had done terrible things back then, clawing his way to power on the backs of the Stewart family.

That mother of mine—Amara, who shared no blood with me—had even wanted to kill me.

When it came down to it, there was no one in this world I could truly rely on.

It seemed the only person with a good ending now was Brielle.

She had committed to her arranged marriage. Since Octavius had suppressed news about the Whitaker Group from getting out, she'd successfully gotten engaged.

Once the engagement was official, that family wouldn't abandon their fiancée and call off the engagement just to avoid public criticism. Even knowing that the Whitaker Group had long since become a hollow shell, they wouldn't turn Brielle away.

That was good.

Whether it was Heath or the Whitaker Group, they'd both gotten their comeuppance for what they did to the Stewart family all those years ago.

I figured Octavius should be completely satisfied by now.

I glanced at my phone to check the time, only to realize it had died from lack of battery.

I slipped the phone into my bag and looked up at the shareholders still trying to persuade me. Standing, I smiled faintly. "I appreciate all your kindness. I know you're genuinely worried about me and my father."

"You're right. There's no point in keeping the Whitaker Group running anymore—it's over. I'll have the finance department distribute what little money remains to the employees so they can find new jobs. You're all free to go as well."

I picked up my bag, preparing to leave.

One shareholder asked me, "Aren't you going to find Octavius? Apologize, plead with him—that way he might let you off. You were someone he once cared about deeply. He won't be completely heartless toward you."

"He won't hurt me." I gave that shareholder a small smile. "He said he wouldn't harm me or take revenge on me."

"Are you sure?" The shareholder looked at me curiously.

I said nothing more. I just nodded and walked out under their watchful eyes.

After going downstairs, I didn't drive home. I walked along the street, letting the wind wash over me, a sudden exhaustion settling in.

Living a second life, I thought I could avoid the deception and hurt that scumbag brought me and be with Octavius—someone who genuinely cared about me.

All along, the life I thought I could control still ended up going terribly wrong.

In both my lives, I had been pushed along step by step. I had never had room to make my own choices.

Now the company was gone.

Heath and Orion no longer needed to fight over it.

All the resources and profits were in Octavius's hands. Neither of them had any way to compete with him.

That was enough.

The fighting had stopped. There was no need to worry about the Whitaker family anymore.

All at once, I felt an unexpected wave of relief and decided to go home and pack my things.

That mansion—Octavius would take it back too, wouldn't he?

If not for the Stewart family, none of us—not Heath, not the Whitaker family, not I would have ever had the chance to live in such a nice house.

"Seraphine!"

An urgent voice suddenly called out from behind me. Someone grabbed my wrist.

I spun around in surprise and turned around—only to find Mitchell standing there, someone I hadn't seen in a while.

He had cut his hair short and grown some stubble. He looked much more refreshed and mature. I almost didn't recognize him.

"You?" I shook off his hand. "What do you want? Don't touch me! Are you here to harass me again?"

Mitchell shook his head, his face full of urgency. "I already know what happened to the Whitaker Group. Seraphine, are you okay? I was worried about you, so I came to find you."

I found that strange. What reason did he have to worry about me?

I stepped back twice, putting distance between us. "Mitchell, you can see what state I'm in now. I've lost everything. I'm not a Whitaker family heiress anymore. There's no need for you to keep bothering me, is there?"

I crossed my arms mockingly. "Why don't you go find yourself some socialite instead? What are you doing chasing after someone with nothing?"

"What do you mean?" Mitchell looked hurt. "You don't actually think I came to find you because I thought I could still get something out of you, do you?"

I froze.

Mitchell grew even more agitated, gripping my shoulders. "It's because you have nothing left that I came to find you! You still have shares in the Stafford Group, don't you? Let's go back and run the company together!"

"It won't be as big as the Capulet Group, but if we work hard and live a good life together, we won't have to worry. Come back with me. Let me marry you, okay?" Mitchell looked at me expectantly, his tone sincere.

I stared at the overflowing affection in his eyes, shocked. "Mitchell, at this point, don't tell me the reason you're so persistent now is because you've actually fallen in love with me?"

"Of course I love you!" Mitchell looked pained. "I've always loved you! I've been trying to win you back this whole time. You always assumed I just regretted losing someone as capable as you—that you could bring me more benefits than Brielle—but that's not it!"

"I genuinely want to be with you again!" He looked like he was about to cry. "Believe me just this once. Be with me, okay?"

I didn't know what to say anymore.

This man was something else, always showing up when I least expected him.

But I believed him now.

What Mitchell said should be true.

He'd fallen in love with me. That's why he was willing to come back and marry me even when I had nothing left. That was proof enough of his feelings.

All the resentment and disgust I had carried toward him before—I suddenly let it all go.