Chapter 4 Consequence of decision

Aria's POV

When the public statement went out, my heart hammered in my chest like a ticking bomb. I knew what I had done.

I had just set fire to everything I built with my own hands.

Breaking away from Grande's Corporation meant one hard truth-I was starting my company all over again. All the years of sweat, late nights, and sacrifices? Wiped away. Just like that.

But strangely enough... I didn't regret it. I would rather rebuild from ashes than live chained to a life that was never truly mine.

My phone buzzed fiercely on the desk, cutting through my thoughts. I grabbed it without thinking...it was my lawyer. I answered instantly, voice steady despite the storm inside me.

"Hello?"

"Miss Aria," his voice came out rushed, worried, "I just saw the news. Are you absolutely sure about this? There's still time to rethink. The consequences..." "Yes," I cut him off quickly. "I'm sure."

He paused. I could almost hear him trying to find the right words.

"In that case, I'll prepare a legal document for your full release. I hope you've discussed this fully with your father?"

"There's no point," I said bitterly, my fingers clenching around the phone. "I'll call him now to..." Before I could finish, another call came flashing across the screen.

Father. I sucked in a deep breath, steeling myself. "I'll call you back," I told the lawyer and switched lines.

"Hello, Father," I greeted quietly.

The blast was instant. "Don't you dare call me your father, you wretched little bastard!" he thundered.

"You didn't just disgrace me at the wedding...you humiliated our entire family in front of the nation! And now you break business ties? What kind of girl are you? You've brought nothing but shame!"

Each word was a dagger. But they couldn't break me anymore. I was beyond broken...I was reforged.

"It's my life, Father," I said, voice low and strong. "I refuse to live it according to your greed. I owe you nothing, and from today, you hold no claim over me. I will return every bit. You can have your blood money back."

"You ungrateful-" he started, but I stopped the call with a click, slicing through his anger. I didn't have time for rage anymore. I had wars to fight.

I immediately called the financial head. "Hello, ma'am!" came the nervous voice. "Do you still have the record of every transaction involving Grande's Cooperation?" I asked.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Pull everything. I want a full assessment of every investment they made since day one. You have five minutes."

I hung up without another word and paced the room, my mind spinning like a storm.

Five minutes later, my phone rang. "Hello?" I answered quickly.

"Ma'am, the total investment from Grande's Corporation, including accrued shares, is five hundred million dollars."

My stomach twisted for a brief moment at the staggering figure-but I forced myself to push the fear down.

"Transfer it to their corporate account immediately. Document everything for legal purposes."

"Yes, ma'am." As soon as I hung up, I let myself fall into the nearest chair. Five hundred million dollars.. It wasn't just money. It was survival. It was power. And now it was gone.

Suddenly, a roar of engines split the air outside. I jumped to my feet. Wolfes. I knew it before I even looked out the window.

I hurried outside before he could storm into my home and make a bigger mess. There he stood... immaculate in a dark suit, the morning sun glinting against the sharp angles of his jaw, and beside him?

A woman.

She stepped close, kissed his cheek, and clung to his wrist possessively. I smiled coolly. How predictable. Trying to make me jealous, are we?

"Glad you moved on, Wolfes," I said, tilting my head mockingly. His eyes, normally filled with smug pleasure, now burned with an evil I hadn't seen before.

It was deeper than anger, and It was hatred...and passion.

"You humiliated me, Aria," he growled, his voice low and threatening. "You didn't just ruin a wedding-you declared war."

I shrugged. "I did what I had to do. And I don't regret a second of it." He stepped closer, and the air between us crackled with stress.

"You think you're free now?" he hissed. "You think severing ties will save you? Foolish girl. You've made strong foes. Enemies that will crush you."

He leaned in, his voice like poison dripping in my ear. "And I'll be leading the charge." I laughed lightly, though my heart hammered.

"Worry about your new girlfriend, Wolfes. I'm too busy building an empire." I turned on my heel and walked away, unwilling to let him see even a flicker of fear.

For the first time in a long while, I felt... strong.

The Next Day The loud ringing of my phone jolted me awake before the sun even rose.

I groaned, grabbing it blindly. "Hello?"

It was my secretary-her voice frantic. "There's a problem, ma'am!" she cried. "A huge one!" "Calm down," I said. "Tell me."

She took a shaky breath.

"The top ten shareholders sold all their shares this morning. They pulled out all their capital. At this rate... at this rate, we'll go bankrupt within weeks."

A silence stretched between us. I closed my eyes, letting the weight of it rest in my bones. I had expected vengeance. I knew going away wouldn't be easy.

Still... it hurt. But I would not fall. "This company will not die," I said, steel coming into my voice.

"Alert the marketing department. Tell them to start writing a new plan. We're going to fight. Harder than ever."

"Yes, ma'am." I ended the call and lay back for a moment, looking at the ceiling. Every bridge was burned.

Every safety net was gone. But I was free.

I climbed out of bed, my mind rushing with thoughts, each more desperate than the last.

One particular idea gleamed dangerously in my mind...a high-risk move, but one that could change everything.

A smile tugged at my lips. I either rise like a phoenix...or crash in flames. No in-between.

After a quick shower, I dressed and called the marketing team. "Who among you is an expert trader?" I asked sharply once a person picked up.

"None of us, ma'am. But there's someone I know-a genius at it. Though... he's unpredictable."

Perfect. "Bring him to the office. Today. I have a plan for him." "Yes, ma'am."

I finished the call and stared at my image in the mirror. This is just the beginning. Let them come with their fights, their betrayals, and their hate.

I wasn't the weak girl they thought I was anymore. I was fire, and I was ready to burn down the world if I had to.