Catherine parked her car in the private garage of the crowded Samuels Group building. After stepping out, she headed straight to the elevator. Minutes later the doors opened on the top floor—the CEO floor.
She walked down the quiet corridor and pushed open the office door.
Inside, she found Vivian resting her head on the desk, eyes closed.
"Mom?" Catherine called gently, concern rising in her voice.
There was no response.
"Mama!" she called louder. Vivian suddenly jerked awake, panicked and disoriented.
"She's alive!" Vivian gasped.
"Hey, hey… settle down. It's just me—Catherine," she said quickly, placing a calming hand on her shoulder.
After a few minutes, Vivian finally settled. Catherine poured some tea into a cup and handed it to her.
"You look like you just escaped an electric shock. What happened?" Catherine asked as she sat on the sofa in the office.
Vivian's mind drifted back to earlier that week—to the woman who had come to see her.
Blue.
A woman who looked exactly like Paige Samuels.
"Mom?" Catherine called again, noticing her mother had gone quiet. She sat beside her and held her hand. "What's wrong? Is it Dad?"
"No, no," Vivian said quickly. "It's… nothing."
She forced a smile.
"It's actually good that you're here. I wanted to tell you something."
Catherine grinned widely.
"Actually, me first."
Vivian looked up curiously.
"I'm going to marry Alexander Shikongo in two months."
Vivian blinked in surprise.
"Really?" she asked, needing confirmation.
"Yes, Mom!" Catherine exclaimed excitedly.
Vivian's shock melted into pure joy. She stood up and pulled her daughter into a tight embrace as they laughed and celebrated.
This was perfect.
Moments ago she had been planning to tell Catherine about the company's growing debt and the possible sale of Samuels Group.
But if Catherine married Alexander… Everything would change.
Their families' wealth would merge. The strong Shikongo empire would automatically save Samuels Group from going bankrupt.
And she would still be the CEO. Still a billionaire.
Vivian smiled bitterly to herself.
Wherever Jonas was, he was probably suffering—and she was glad. He had abandoned her with debt and humiliation. Now her daughter was marrying one of the richest men in the country.
"I'm so proud of you, Cat," Vivian said, tears filling her eyes. The suffering was finally over.
"So tell me," she said eagerly, wiping her tears. "How did this happen? I didn't even know you had a man in your life."
Any lingering worry about Paige—or Blue—being alive disappeared from her thoughts.
An alliance with the Shikongo family meant power.
And with power, no one could touch them.
Smiling proudly, she listened as Catherine excitedly began telling the story of how she and Alexander met.
***
Meanwhile, in the city center, Vicky stepped out into the busy streets.
The place was crowded—shoppers, office workers, wealthy schoolchildren stepping out of expensive cars. She rarely came to town.
Maybe once every six months, usually when visiting her mother at Central Hospital.
She stepped onto the escalator.
Her eyes landed on a large curved advertisement stretched along its side.
A familiar face stared down from it.
Alexander Shikongo.
Below his picture were the words:
"The City's Pulse — Alexander Shikongo."
Vicky frowned.
He was the reason she had to travel all the way into the city just to buy stock for her eatery. If he had simply lifted her ban from the local supermarket, she wouldn't have needed this trip.
"City's pulse, my foot," she muttered as the escalator carried her upward, her mood instantly sour.
Across town, a woman dressed in black pants and a hoodie walked into a crowded restaurant. The hood covered most of her head, and dark sunglasses hid her eyes.
The place was busy with lunchtime customers.
She quickly spotted the person she was looking for.
Lisa sat alone at a table in the far corner of the restaurant, where it was quieter.
Lisa waved.
The woman walked over and sat down.
"I reserved this table because it's secluded," Lisa said with a grin. "No one will hear us."
"That's fair," the woman replied as she removed her sunglasses.
Natasha.
"So," Natasha said, leaning forward slightly. "Tell me what you know about Blue."
Lisa smirked.
"Well… I'm in love with Xavier."
Natasha raised an eyebrow.
"Xavier Elder," Lisa clarified. "The eldest son of the Elder family. He's not public, but I'm sure you've heard the name."
Natasha nodded slowly.
"Yes… I have."
"Xavier asked me to accompany him while investigating an illegal business he discovered in the Cave."
"The Cave?" Natasha interrupted. "The one behind the Northern Industrial Park?"
Lisa nodded.
"We found her there. She was selling girls to politicians and businessmen. When she saw us, I immediately threatened to call the police if she didn't release them."
Lisa paused dramatically.
"She got furious. She killed everyone in the building."
Natasha leaned in closer.
"Xavier and I managed to rescue the girls before they were killed as well," Lisa finished.
The entire story was a lie.
But Natasha was listening carefully.
Something about it didn't sit right.
Blue running an illegal trafficking ring didn't match the pattern of the killer she had been tracking.
"Where did the girls go after you rescued them?" Natasha asked.
"In the city," Lisa replied quickly. "I gave them some money so they could start over."
She leaned forward.
"You said you're a reporter, right? Then help us expose Blue. Once people recognize her, she'll be arrested—or stoned if necessary."
Natasha noticed the way Lisa's fingers tightened around her glass of juice.
The anger in her eyes was real.
"I'll also need Xavier's version of the story," Natasha said carefully.
Lisa shook her head.
"That might not be possible. Like I said, Xavier is not public. I'll have to talk to him first."
Natasha frowned.
"And why is he not public? He saved those girls."
"It's an Elder family policy," Lisa replied casually. "Don't tell me you've never heard of it."
Natasha knew exactly what she meant.
The Elder family was famously private.
Their names appeared everywhere in business news—but their faces almost never did.
And when they did…it meant danger.
"Alright," Natasha said. "If Xavier can't talk, then give me at least two of the girls you rescued. We can expose Blue that way."
Lisa smiled.
"That won't be a problem."
***
Victoria had just left the teller and was now carrying several heavy plastic bags filled with supplies.
They were far heavier than they looked, but she forced herself to keep walking toward the taxi rank.
To anyone watching, she probably looked like a housemaid sent to buy groceries.
Her lips were dry from hunger and thirst, but she ignored it.
She pushed through the crowded mall until—
She bumped into someone.
Tall.
Muscular.
And when she looked up—that face.
Alexander Shikongo.
Her grip tightened around the plastic bags.
His expression was completely different today.
"I'm so sorry, ma'am," he said, genuinely concerned.
Vicky blinked in surprise. If it had been anyone else, she might have believed the apology.
"I'm fine," she said quickly, adjusting the heavy bags.
Alexander noticed how much she was struggling.
"Let me help you with that," he offered.
Still confused by his behavior, she allowed it. Together they walked toward the taxi rank while another man—probably his friend—followed them.
Vicky had only ever seen Alexander in expensive suits worth more than her yearly income.
Today he wore sweatpants, sandals, a black hoodie, and a cap.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"What?" Vicky replied, surprised he didn't already know.
"Where are you going?" he repeated patiently.
"Home… of course," she said.
Alexander looked even more confused.
Finally, she sighed.
"Goreangab."
He nodded and helped place her groceries carefully into a taxi's boot before she left.
As the taxi drove away, the two men stood watching.
Derek finally spoke.
"Is it just me… or did that girl look a bit like Blue?"
Xavier shrugged.
"Nah. She's a bit dumb. Telling me 'home' as if I know where she lives."
His tone carried irritation.
But something about the encounter lingered in his mind.