The entire hall stood frozen as Leon Xu stepped out from the shadows, his black suit drenched by the sudden downpour outside, dark eyes locked solely on Ella Lin.
She couldn't breathe.
How was this possible?
He was supposed to be gone—buried beneath ice and regret.
Yet here he stood, alive, more dangerous than ever, wearing that devastating smile she'd once vowed never to fall for again.
"Congratulations, my queen," his voice rolled through the silent hall, low and smooth like the finest poison. "But did you really think I'd let you rule without me?"
A thousand emotions crashed through Ella—rage, heartbreak, disbelief.
"Leon, what is this? Some final sick game?"
Leon stepped closer, his shoes clicking ominously against the marble floor.
"No games this time, Ella. Just reality. You've proven you're worthy to wear the crown…"
He paused, tilting his head, that maddeningly confident smirk never leaving his face.
"But let's see if you're strong enough to keep it."
Without warning, the massive screens behind him flickered to life, revealing confidential files, video clips, and scandalous images—evidence of global conspiracies, hidden boardroom betrayals… and Ella's name stamped on them all.
The crowd gasped.
Media feeds exploded.
#EllaLinTheShadowQueen#CorporateTakeoverScandal
Ella's vision blurred. Her carefully constructed empire—everything she fought for—was being torn apart before her eyes.
And Leon Xu…
He was smiling like the devil who had just won her soul.