Dark Revenge Of An Unwanted Wife: The Twins Are Not Yours! - Chapter 485

Chapter 485: Damning Choice III

Sandro had always believed he’d seen every side of Athena—the brilliant scientist, the fierce partner, the loyal friend and lover who had once loved Ewan enough to share in his battles.

But as he sat at the far end of the boardroom now, watching her calmly convince the board to remove Ewan from his own company, he realized there were still parts of her he’d never understood.

His stomach tightened as he listened to her voice—smooth, commanding, persuasive. Each word she spoke was deliberate, woven with logic and authority, and yet there was a quiet venom beneath it, a chill that seeped into the room.

He rubbed his temple, struggling to keep his composure. This can’t be happening.

When she pulled out another file from her sleek leather bag, Sandro leaned forward automatically. His breath hitched as she started listing the companies she owned—one after another.

“Biotech. Genra Research. Aethra Med,” she said clearly, her gaze sweeping the table. “All under my ownership. Each capable of stabilizing this company within seventy-two hours if the merger is approved.”

Sandro blinked, his heart thudding. She owns them?

He reached for one of the photocopies she had circulated, his fingers trembling slightly as he scanned the letterheads and signatures. It was true. Every document bore her mark. Each company was an empire in its own right. And she owned them all?

His mouth went dry. She’s going to win this.

His hands shook as he grabbed his phone from his lap and typed a message to Ewan.

She’s doing it, Ewan. She’s convincing them to vote you out. You need to come. Now.

He hesitated, glancing up. Athena was still speaking, calm as the eye of a storm.

“You have to understand,” she was saying, “this company can’t be left rudderless. Ewan’s absence has created a vacuum. I can fill that gap—efficiently and permanently. I have the resources, the manpower, and the financial capacity to revive operations. All I ask is that you trust me.”

Her words slid through the air like silk. Some board members were already nodding, impressed by her poise.

Sandro’s jaw clenched. He typed again.

Did you get my last message? Please answer. They’re voting.

No reply.

He tried again.

Don’t let her do this. This company is your life.

The minutes stretched painfully. Then, finally, his phone buzzed.

Ewan: Okay.

Sandro stared at the word, confusion furrowing his brow. Okay?

Okay that he understood?

Okay that he was coming?

Or… okay that he was giving up?

He looked at the single word on the screen again, feeling a slow ache rise in his chest. Ewan wasn’t a man of many words, but this was different. There was no fight in that message. No urgency. Just quiet resignation.

Yet he wouldn’t give up. He typed another query.

And this time, Ewan was fast in his response.

Let her have it. If it will help her hurt less, let her have it. I don’t need it.

Sandro sank back into his chair, feeling the cold weight of helplessness settle over him.

Across the room, Athena smiled faintly as she continued, “If we act now, we can regain investor confidence. My proposal includes a one-day operational audit, followed by a complete systems reboot under my supervision. Within forty-eight hours, our foreign partners will see progress. Within seventy-two, results.”

The board members exchanged glances. One by one, their skepticism softened into consideration.

Then she said something that made Sandro’s stomach twist.

“Besides,” Athena added, her tone casual but lethal, “if I combine my authority in the business world with my grandfather’s, you can see it’s already a done deal. You will have no better offer.”

That did it. The whispers stopped. Every face turned toward her like she was some savior.

And then she sealed it.

“As heir to the Thorne Empire,” she continued smoothly, “I can guarantee that this company will not only survive this storm but thrive beyond it. You have my word.”

Sandro’s heart sank further. She was using everything—her name, her lineage, her wealth—to secure victory. And it was working.

The vote was swift. A few hesitant hands. Then more. Then nearly all.

When the final count was read, Sandro felt numb. He and Madam Ruby had voted against it—but the majority had already chosen. Athena Thorn was now CEO of the company.

He watched the board members rise from their seats, shaking her hand, congratulating her like she’d just saved the company instead of taking it over. The sound of polite applause filled the air.

He couldn’t bring himself to move. It all felt surreal—like watching a movie unfold from underwater.

Madam Ruby approached him quietly. Her wrinkled face was pale, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Sandro,” she whispered, “what’s happening? She said she’s taking over—but what about Ewan? I thought he was—”

Sandro exhaled slowly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “I thought so too,” he said tiredly. “But it looks like Athena didn’t come here to save him. She came to bury him.”

Ruby frowned. “You think she’ll destroy the company?”

He shook his head. “No. She’ll make it better. That’s what makes it worse.”

Madam Ruby sighed and drifted away, still shaken. The rest of the room slowly emptied, voices fading down the hall.

Sandro remained where he was until Athena was left alone, standing by the window. Her back was straight, her reflection sharp against the glass. She looked untouchable—and yet there was a fleeting sadness in her eyes, gone almost as soon as he saw it.

He walked up behind her, his hands in his pockets. “Happy now?” he asked quietly.

She turned aside, startled for just a moment. “Excuse me?”

He met her gaze steadily. “Are you happy now, Athena? After betraying your friends?”

Something flickered across her face—shock, maybe guilt—before she smoothed it over with a smile. “Friends?”

The words stung more than he’d expected. He nodded slowly. “Then congratulations.”

Her expression faltered. For a split second, her lips parted, like she wanted to say something—an apology, perhaps. But she didn’t.

“Yes,” she said instead, her voice steady again. “I’m happy.”

“Good for you,” he replied, the bitterness in his tone barely concealed. “Because I’m done.”

She blinked. “What do you mean?”

“I mean I’ll be tendering my resignation,” Sandro said, pulling his ID badge from his coat and tossing it onto the table. “Effective immediately.”

Her brows furrowed. “You don’t have to do that.”

“Oh, I do,” he said quietly. “Because I can’t stand here and pretend I don’t know what you’ve become.”

He turned to leave. But just as he reached the door, her voice stopped him.

“Take Victoria with you,” Athena said, her tone clipped. “She’s fired.”

Sandro paused. For a second, disbelief froze him. Then he chuckled—low and humorless.

“She was fired,” he said without turning around, “the moment you saw whatever you saw that day.”

Read Gianna and Zane’s story in Dark revenge of a Jilted Bride!