Chapter 130 Chapter 130

Chapter 130 Chapter 130
Greer’s POV

I was still scared. The danger wasn’t gone. But I was moving forward anyway.

Calder was waiting for us when we stepped outside, leaning against his car. The sight of him made my heart feel lighter. I walked into his arms, letting him hold me for a long moment.

“You did well today,” he murmured against my hair. “I’m proud of you.”

With Cassey driving behind us and security following, we headed back to her apartment. I leaned my head against the window, watching the city pass by.

Two days after nearly losing everything, I was still here.

Still building. Still blooming.

And I wasn’t going to stop, no matter how afraid I was.

The next day brought a surprise that lifted my spirits higher than I had dared to hope for after the recent terror. I was at the new Lumina Bloom flagship store early in the morning, overseeing the arrival of furniture in bulk, when my phone rang with an unknown number. I answered cautiously, still on edge from the break-in.

“Miss Greer? This is the organizing committee for the Royal Business Ball. We are pleased to inform you that you have been personally invited to this year’s event, which will be held in one month at the Grand Royal Hall. You have also been nominated for Best Rookie CEO of the Year, Most Innovative Beauty Brand, and Rising Entrepreneur of the Decade.”

I nearly dropped the phone.

The Royal Business Ball was the biggest, most prestigious event in the business world. It was attended by royalty, top CEOs, billionaires, and influential figures from across the globe. Being invited was an honor. Being nominated for those awards felt like a dream.

“Thank you,” I managed to say, my voice shaky with excitement. “I accept the invitation.”

When I hung up, I let out a joyful scream right there in the middle of the store. Cassey came running from the other side of the floor, eyes wide.

“What happened? Are you okay?”

I grabbed her hands, practically jumping. “Cassey, I’ve been invited to the Royal Business Ball! And nominated for Best Rookie CEO and other big awards!”

Cassey screamed with me, pulling me into a tight, excited hug. “Oh my God! This is huge! You deserve this so much. After everything you’ve been through the trade fair, the sabotage, the break-in. Girl! This is your moment!”

We celebrated for a few minutes, laughing and hugging. Knowing Calder was also invited made it even better. The thought of attending such a glamorous event with him by my side filled me with warmth.

The store was coming together beautifully. I had set the official launch date for one month after the Royal Business Ball. That gave us enough time to finish everything perfectly. The painters had done an incredible job with the soft lemon yellow and pink interior walls and the clean white exterior. Now, furniture was arriving in bulk, elegant display shelves, consultation tables, comfortable seating areas, and beautiful lighting fixtures.

I directed the delivery team carefully. “The white marble display counters go along this wall. The pink velvet chairs for the consultation corner over there. Make sure everything is aligned perfectly.”

Cassey supervised the team on the other side of the floor, checking inventory and directing where each piece should go. She had truly become an exceptional manager. Watching her work with such confidence made me incredibly proud.

By midday, my office and Cassey’s office were fully furnished and looking professional. I sat behind my new desk for a few minutes, just absorbing the moment. This was real. My own flagship store. A physical home for Lumina Bloom.

In the evening, as the sun began to set, I felt tired but happy. I said goodbye to Cassey, who was staying late to finish some paperwork, and got into my Mercedes to drive back to her apartment. The security detail Calder had arranged followed a safe distance behind me.

The drive started peacefully. I played soft music, thinking about my nomination for the Royal Business Ball and the upcoming store launch. For the first time in days, I allowed myself to feel genuine hope.

Then everything changed in an instant.

A black car came speeding from a side street, accelerating directly toward me. I saw it at the last second and swerved hard, heart leaping into my throat. The hit-and-run vehicle missed me by inches but slammed violently into the car beside me instead.

The impact was horrifying. The other car tumbled over multiple times, crashing onto its roof before sliding across the road. It caught fire immediately, bright orange flames erupting from the engine.

I screamed.

A raw, terrified scream tore from my lungs as I slammed on the brakes. My hands shook violently on the steering wheel. I pulled over to the side of the road, breathing hard, tears already streaming down my face.

That car had been meant for me.

Another assassination attempt.

First the break-in with the men waiting to kill me, now this hit-and-run. Someone was determined to end my life.

I was still screaming when Calder’s car screeched to a stop beside mine. He must have been nearby or tracking my location. He jumped out and ran to my door, yanking it open and pulling me into his arms.

“Greer! Baby, are you hurt?” His voice was frantic as he checked me for injuries.

Cassey arrived moments later, having rushed from the store after Calder called her. She looked pale and terrified as she joined us on the roadside.

I collapsed against Calder’s chest, sobbing uncontrollably. “It was for me… They tried to hit me again. That car… it was supposed to be me. Who wants me dead so badly? First the men in my apartment, now this? I can’t take it anymore!”

Calder held me tighter, one hand stroking my hair while the other rubbed my back. “I know, sweetheart. I know. But you’re safe. You swerved in time. I’ve got you.”

Cassey hugged me from the side, her own eyes filled with tears. “This is insane. You’ve been through too much already.”

Sirens filled the air as firefighters, police officers, and ambulances rushed to the scene. Media vans arrived shortly after, cameras flashing as they captured the burning car and the chaos on the road. Onlookers parked their vehicles and gathered at a distance, whispering and pointing.

I stayed in Calder’s arms, shaking, as the police approached us for statements. The driver of the hit car had fled the scene on foot. The other driver was being pulled from the burning wreckage by firefighters. I felt overwhelming guilt mixed with terror, someone else had been hurt because of me.

Calder spoke calmly to the officers while keeping one arm firmly around me. Cassey stayed close, holding my hand. The entire scene felt surreal. Just hours ago, I had been happily directing furniture delivery in my dream store. Now I was standing on the side of the road watching a car burn because someone had tried to assassinate me again.

When the immediate chaos settled, Calder guided me back to his car. “You’re staying with me tonight. No arguments. Security will be tripled.”

I nodded weakly, too drained to protest. As we drove away from the scene, with Cassey following behind, I leaned my head against the window and cried silently.

Why did they want me dead?

I had finally started blooming, the Royal Business Ball invitation, the store launch, my relationship with Calder. Yet someone was determined to destroy it all. I didn’t know how much more I could take.

But as Calder’s hand found mine and squeezed gently, I reminded myself of one truth:

I was still here.

Still fighting.

Still determined to live my life despite the darkness trying to swallow me.

The Royal Business Ball was in a month. My store launch was set. I had people who loved me. I would survive this too. No matter how scared I was. I won't allow them to bring me down.