Chapter 20

Allyson's POV

Allyson stood at the back of the room, listening as her uncle, Richard Sparks, addressed the press. The room was packed with reporters and cameras, all waiting to hear the announcement that would change everything.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Richard began, his voice firm and commanding, "I am here today to set the record straight. There have been many rumors and false accusations circulating about my relationship with Allyson. Let me clarify once and for all: Allyson is my brother's daughter and the rightful heir to Spark Empire. She is not my girlfriend, as some have claimed, but my niece and the next CEO of this company."

The room erupted with murmurs and flashes from cameras. Richard continued, his gaze unwavering. "I urge everyone to debunk these baseless rumors. Allyson has worked tirelessly to prove herself, and she has my full support and confidence."

Allyson felt a wave of relief wash over her as the truth was finally out. The weight of the lies and misunderstandings had been lifted, and she could now stand proud in her rightful place.

Rachel's POV

Rachel sat in her office, seething with rage as she watched the press conference on her computer screen. Her plan had been utterly destroyed. She had underestimated Allyson and Richard's resolve.

With a scream of frustration, she swept her arm across her desk, sending papers, pens, and her coffee mug crashing to the floor. The sound of shattering porcelain mirrored the chaos inside her mind.

How could everything have gone so wrong? She had been so close to bringing Allyson down, and now she was the one facing humiliation.

Allyson's POV

The next day, Allyson walked into the subsidiary company's office building with a newfound sense of authority. Dressed in a sleek black suit, she exuded confidence and power. Her entrance was flanked by bodyguards, their presence a clear sign of her status.

She headed straight to the conference room where the departmental heads were gathered for an emergency meeting. As she entered, the room fell silent, and all eyes turned to her.

Rachel was among them, her face pale and her head bowed in shame. She approached Allyson with a resignation letter in her trembling hand.

"Ms. Sparks, I... I resign," Rachel stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Allyson took the letter, glanced at it, and then looked at Rachel with a mocking smile. "Oh, Rachel, your resignation is not accepted. Remember, you signed a contract for five years. If you break it now, we'll just sue you."

Rachel's face flushed with humiliation. She couldn't find the words to respond, her shame palpable in the room.

"Return to your duties," Allyson said coolly. "We have work to do."

Rachel turned and walked back to her seat, her shoulders slumped. She had been utterly humiliated in front of her co-workers.

As the meeting continued, Allyson outlined her vision for the subsidiary, her voice confident and commanding. The departmental heads listened intently, realizing they had severely underestimated her.

When the meeting adjourned, Allyson walked out of the office annex, her bodyguards following closely behind. The employees watched in awe, whispers of surprise and admiration filling the air.

"So, Allyson was our boss all along?" one of the employees murmured.

"And we were so mean to her," another added, shaking his head in disbelief.

Allyson kept her head high, her heart full of determination. She had reclaimed her place and her dignity, and she was ready to lead Spark Empire to new heights. But as she stepped into the elevator, a new sense of resolve settled over her. The battle was far from over, and she knew Rachel wouldn't give up easily.

The elevator doors closed, and Allyson took a deep breath. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she was ready to face them head-on.

As Allyson reached the ground floor, her phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number.

"Meet me at the old warehouse on 5th Street. Midnight. Come alone. There's something you need to know."

Allyson's heart skipped a beat. The message was cryptic and unsettling. She showed it to her lead bodyguard, who nodded in silent understanding.

"I'll go alone," Allyson said firmly.

"Are you sure, Ms. Sparks?" the bodyguard asked, his concern evident.

"Yes," she replied, her eyes steely with determination. "I need to find out who sent this message and what they know."

As she exited the building, Allyson couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was about to unfold. The game was far from over, and the stakes were higher than ever.