"Goddamn it! How can I do this? How could I be so careless? They are a part of 30% of my new investment this year. Urgh." I groaned, cursing under my breath.

After having my moment with my mother's memories, I had shut down my emotions and focused on the "how to bring the Andersons down" mission. I rummaged through all my important files and found that the Andersons are a part of 30% of my new investment. I breathed out and dialled the only person that came to my mind who could help me with some detailed exposure.

"Aria, I need you in my office. Now. I know that waking you up at 6 am doesn't sound so good but something important has come up. I suggest you better be at the office soon." I disconnected the call without waiting for her reply.

Half an hour later, Aria came rushing into my office and I smiled inwardly. She's very much like me but with a soft heart, which I lack. I laughed at my sense of humour quietly.

"Good Morning, ma'am," she greeted, passing me my usual black coffee.

"Aria, this is not your work. Haven't I told this to you already? Anywho, take a seat. I want you to note down a few works under an order to perform them personally. And I believe that you would do them perfectly," I explained to her sternly. I knew that I was being rude but I needed to get this over with.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and mumbled, "Yes, ma'am. You don't have to worry about it. I will do it."

I nodded, liking her conviction to complete the task at hand. "Bring me all the contract files of Anderson and Company."

Fifteen minutes later, she was handing over all the required files to me. Carefully scanning each file, I came to the conclusion to abolish all these treaties for which I would need 2.5 million dollars to fill in the loss. I would lose some of my personal assets and business but I didn't care. I wanted to remove them from my list.

With utmost determination, I looked up from the files at my personal assistant, sitting in front of me and staring at me with so much concern in her eyes. "Aria, I want you to arrange suitable accommodations for five of my guests. They will be arriving here in 3 days. They should not feel any discomfort. Do you understand?" I ordered her.

"Yes, ma'am," she obliged.

"Good, and fix the meetings in one of my private business locations instead of the establishments related to SAMS. Do you get it?" I told her.

"Yes, ma'am," she repeated.

"Better. Now I'd suggest that you complete your other works as soon as possible and free yourself so that you can arrange for their accommodations. I will forward you their details," I announced, dismissing her.

After she left, I didn't even look at the clock and returned back to my work so that I could arrange the amount to eliminate them. I could suffer a loss of 2.5 million dollars but I knew they couldn't. They would never be able to get over this huge loss which I would thrust on them to suffer.

I was startled when I felt someone entering my cabin and found Aria standing in front of me with the same concern in her eyes. "Ma'am, I think it's time you go home. Please take a rest. You didn't even eat anything for the whole day. You shouldn't wear yourself out. Dima is really concerned about you." If I hadn't focused on her words, I wouldn't have known what she was saying.

I smiled at the thought of Dima calling Aria every now and then to get updates on me and gently nodded at Aria so that she would know that I was listening to her silent pleadings. I understood that Dima was worried and that I should head home now.

"Okay. You can leave now, Aria. It's already late. Oh, and I want you here early tomorrow morning so that we can discuss work that I have sorted out for you," I explained to her while shutting down my laptop and tying my hair into a loose bun. I hate to keep my hair open. As I was hurrying toward the door, I realized that I forgot to mention Aria about something. Turning around, I instructed her in a rushed tone, "Tell Natalie to meet me tomorrow morning. It's urgent." With that said, I shut the door and made my way toward my Lycan.

I was driving aimlessly. It was late already, maybe a few minutes to midnight. But, I was in a desperate need of some fresh air to breathe while planning the ways to battle against my enemies.

When I was just a few minutes away from my house, I found a few cars moving in a row, heading toward my villa's entrance. 'I didn't have any guests coming, so what's with so many cars in front of my house?' I thought out loud as I parked my car but just shrugged it off, walking toward the front door.

I opened the door to find the hallway lights off. I narrowed my eyes to concentrate because I had to keep my mind focused to not end up face-first on the floor. I stumbled over something that I assumed to be a table which I didn't recall positioning near the entrance.

"Ouch. Dima where are you and y-" I flinched mid-sentence when the lights suddenly came on and blinded my vision.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" I heard the chorus of voices.

I was beyond shocked and began scanning the receiver of this unexpected bombardment of wishes but found none. Then my focus shifted to the only person closest to my heart. Dima was standing at the farthest corner of the room, raising an eyebrow with amusement evident on her face from my reaction. And that's when something hit me. I had totally forgotten that it's my birthday!

Dima, Mia, Emma, Aria, my neighbours, Natalie including my other important staff members and most importantly Olivia were standing, holding a glass of wine and raising it in my direction."Happy birthday, darling." Olivia, Mia and Emma scrambled toward me to give me a tight group hug.

"Girls, please allow her to breathe a little. You're all suffocating her," Dima commented and strode toward me. She was expecting me to hug her but I couldn't bring myself to do it, not today.

"Liara, happy birthday, dear." Dima hugged me. I just caressed her back and backed it up a bit with a subtle nod.

Aria walked to me, lowering her head with Natalie following right behind her. These girls never disappointed me and also happened to be my family as well. "Happy Birthday, Ma'am." Aria extended her hand for me to shake but I pulled her into a hug. She stiffened at first but relaxed and hugged me back. Later, I just distanced myself and took solace in my own company.

As I was walking around, I felt someone watching my every move. I roamed my eyes, trying to focus on that person when I saw someone I wasn't expecting. Keryl was standing near the corridor and grinning at me with glossy eyes. I didn't know what to do so I just stood there, doing nothing.

After a few awkward moments here and there, Emma and Olivia came out, carrying my birthday cake. I mentally face palmed because it was the same princess cake as a kid I had wanted Dima to bake for me on my birthdays even as I would grow up. Ever since she has been keeping up her promise. The younger me shouldn't have said that. The many times I've tried changing her mind, she's always refused me saying, "I had made a promise to the little you and I won't ever break that. Period."

I watched the cake with complete awe. It was a triple-layered cake, fully adorned with the princess design. She had a crown on the top with her pink gown flowing till the third layer with little flower-shaped chocolate chips sprinkled on it. It's the same design and pattern every year. I attempted to smile but failed miserably as all the events that transpired today flashed in my mind. I held back the tears and prayed that I would not break down in front of all these people who wanted nothing more than to make me happy.

After a few hours of trying to control my emotions and sending everyone off, I slumped back on the couch in my living room, trying to strengthen my mind. I just needed one small clue about who the mole is but I found none.

'Who the hell is this enemy inside my own territory?' I thought in vain. I closed my eyes and made an effort to calm down my nerves that were aching because of pressurizing myself. Just when I was dozing off, I suddenly woke up because of a tap on my shoulder.

I turned around to find Keryl standing alongside Dima. I knew what was coming. They wanted me to talk but I couldn't. I felt broken from the inside. With a heavy sigh, I stood up to face Keryl. Nodding, I gave her the signal to speak because I didn't have the energy to argue and quickly wanted to get this over with.

"Liara... Happy birthday, my angel. I know you possibly don't want to see my face and I understand why but I just don't want you to push me away, especially not today. I just want to wish you," she told me earnestly, releasing a shaky breath. I raised my eyebrows and gestured for her to continue.

"I have something important to tell you. If you don't mind, then please just hear me out once. Then I will leave immediately," Keryl pleaded by intertwining both her hands, indicating her desperation.

I nodded again like a lost puppy because her statement was so uncalled for while my heart was hammering inside my rib cage. I hadn't uttered a single word since she started speaking but I wanted to scream, 'Just tell me already!'

"Keryl, why don't you take a seat and then talk to Liara," Dima suggested, motioning for her to take a seat and speaking for the first time. "I will go bring some drinks," she excused herself. Exhaling a deep breath, I settled back on the couch, not even bothering to glance at her.

"Liara, you need to be careful with the people around you. Some of your employees are helping my dad and brother as and when they're in need of any internal news about your business. I don't exactly know who they are but I assure you, honey, I will find them soon," Keryl explained and a lone tear fell down her eyes. I felt a pang inside my chest by watching her cry but I didn't try to comfort her.

"Tsk, tsk, you don't know who they are? Huh? I know very well..." I announced smirking. Dima came back with a tray of two coffee mugs and left quickly, leaving us alone to talk. I could see the surprise on her face. I grinned, handing her the coffee. I've always surpassed all the challenges she's put forth in order to train me and she would give me the same surprised look by popping her head up with wide eyes and pressing her lips into a thin line, clearly suppressing a smile.

"Well, Keryl, I am pleased to know that you want to help me. But you should know that I've been looking after myself ever since grandma and mom had passed away. I can take care of myself." I said, taking a sip of my coffee with extra cream and whispered by moving a little closer to her, "I've already planned a beautiful gift for my employees as well as your "family" who are lurking in the shadows." I winked at her and continued drinking my coffee.

"How... Wait, I don't even wanna know." She laughed. After recovering from her laughter, she inquired, "What are you going to do when my father will force you to marry Johnson? You know him, right?"

I was astounded by her question because Johnson Albert is a good friend of mine and he's even a part of some of my assignments. 'How is he involved with John Anderson?' My mind started working on its own accord to find any clue that I'd missed out.

As if understanding my internal struggle, Keryl nodded and explained, "He is obsessed with you honey, but he is a good boy. My father knows his obsession for you when he'd met Johnson at a meeting in your company and deems to use it against you. He wants Johnson to marry you so that he can convince him and then later, use your enterprise for his advantage. He's been planning this for so long now, Liara. You should be careful."

"But why does he want my business? I've always dealt with him professionally and never brought any damage to their business!" I voiced out in frustration. I couldn't stop my inner turmoil.

"You are mistaken here, Angel. My father was and is your business rival from the beginning. Your grandma and mom knew it which is why they'd kept their distance from him. I was the one who avoided his cruel intentions and befriended your mom. Perhaps this is all my fault. But... that's a story for some other time," she whispered, holding my hands like she always did when I had trouble dealing with things as a kid.

"But we need to do something," Keryl began with a serious expression. "Johnson would do anything to marry you. He's borderline crazy and insane for you. My father has leashed him and is waiting for the perfect timing to unleash him again to marry you. And then it wouldn't matter if you accept it willingly or not," Keryl whispered in the last part and I could sense her uneasiness and fear of what might happen in the future.

I was more than flabbergasted as soon as I heard this. This disclosure knocked the breath out of me. The person whom I treated as a friend happens to be plotting behind my back!

Not knowing what to do, I wrapped my arms around my knees and put my head on them as a support. I was confused and it scared me to death.

I didn't even know that I was whimpering until I felt someone hugging me tightly. The warmth was familiar to me and when I raised my head, I saw faith and utmost respect for me in Keryl's eyes. She has always been by my side to give me a tight hug whenever I need it. I've never celebrated my birthdays except for a princess cake but this birthday has been the worst of all so far. I couldn't be a sorry figure now. I should be strong. I couldn't allow them to break and use me.

Wiping my tears, I stood up. "I need some fresh air. I'll be back in some time," I informed them and walked outside on my wobbly legs.

Heading to the parking garage, I sat in the comforts of my car. I accelerated my Lykan and drove aimlessly toward the highway.

After what felt like hours, I found myself stopping my car in front of a nightclub named, "Shimmers Night" highlighted on the board hung above.

Exiting my car, I handed over my keys to the guard outside and headed inside without a second thought. I felt a surge of energy bubbling inside my veins due to anger and uneasiness creeping the hell out of me. I never drink, but today was an exception to numb my senses. I couldn't handle too much pressure all at once. I was dying inside.

By taking a few, deep breaths, I savoured any drink the bartender extended to me without questioning the brand or mix. After the 10th drink, my vision was getting blurry while my senses were numb. I fell into a deep slumber and the last thing I remembered was a pair of hazel eyes with brightness in them. They were staring at me with both worry and amusement.

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