Cut Her Wings

Viktor was speechless for a moment, staring blankly at Rivana. Had some ghost possessed her? It must be one of his hellish half-brothers turning her against him! He thought, gritting his teeth in frustration.

"S-sure, Riv!" Viktor lied, forcing a smile. "But first, let's take out the bug."

"No, let's first get the papers done," Rivana replied coldly, making Viktor grit his teeth. It felt like his little kitten had finally grown claws, and he couldn't let her get away this easily.

But before Viktor could coax her, his assistant received a message through his Bluetooth.

"Boss!" Liam cut short their conversation. "They're all here and want to see you right now!" he added, his brows creased with tension.

"Great!" Rivana beamed, smiling. "Let's announce your decision to them," she said before turning to leave.

Leonora observed the sourness on Viktor's face before hurrying after her best friend. Tch, she should have brought some chips for the awesome show!

Viktor glared at his assistant before rushing out to stop Rivana from adding more fuel to their company's fire. Liam followed closely behind, asking the staff to control the meeting room.

Rivana walked toward the main meeting room and entered. The shareholders, wearing thick, furious expressions, scorned her arrival, a few disappointed to see her still running around the company.

Rivana observed the group, her eyes landing on one empty seat usually taken by her father, Emmerich Faye. He was their major shareholder, and his absence made it quite clear he was serious about withdrawing.

"What is this whore doing here?" one of them finally spoke, the middle-aged man seething with rage. His question brought Rivana out of her thoughts. Ignoring his glare, she walked over and sat in the main chair, surprising everyone.

Leonora, who had just entered, whistled, a grin plastered on her face as she hurried over to stand beside Rivana's chair. Meanwhile, Viktor, who had just made his entry, gritted his teeth. This weird rebellious behavior of Rivana was grating his nerves!

"How shameless of you to still show your face?" another woman, in her late sixties, spat with scorn. Rivana realized it was Melisande's sister. Turning to Viktor, she continued, "Don't tell me you have forgiven her, Viktor! Not only did she trick you into sleeping with her own sister, but she also disgraced Melly by calling you a bastard's child!"

Another shareholder got up, having no time for their family drama. "We don't care about your family dramas, Viktor. The customers are furious, and you need to resolve it by sunrise!"

"Yes, Mr. Josh," Viktor was quick to pacify the angry old man. "Riv will look at it right now!"

"Not until you announce me as the CEO, Viktor," Rivana calmly stated, her words sending the room into another storm.

"What?!" The shareholders started murmuring among themselves, each against the idea.

Liam cleared his throat and clarified, "Ms. Faye has bargained to help only if the boss transfers his position to her."

"No way!" Isabelle got up from her chair, turning to her nephew. When Viktor sighed, she gritted her teeth and glared at Rivana. "She isn't the only genius who could solve it! There are tons of techies who are better than her."

"Yes! Find someone and solve this quickly," another woman chimed in. "Kick this woman out instantly!"

Rivana simply smiled in response. Crossing her legs, she replied, "Well, there might be many like me, but no one would be able to remove it except for me. I made sure of it."

Everyone frowned and started murmuring among themselves. As much as they hated to admit it, Rivana never spoke casually, and her confidence was confusing.

Even Viktor looked at her with a frown. Feeling his gaze, Rivana turned to him, her faint yet smug smile confirming his doubts. "Did you plant the bug in our systems, Rivana?!" he asked, his eyes widening in horror.

The group glanced at each other, murmurs filling the room. But Rivana's silence confirmed it all. After all, their security system was awarded as unbreakable, and only its creator could breach it.

Viktor clenched his fists, frustration breaking free. "How could you, Rivana?!" he glowered, his face fuming red.

"Just like how you lied in front of grandma that I spiked your drinks, Viktor. Stop acting all hurt, please!" Rivana shot back, her skin prickling with irritation. If he could stoop so low, then she could sink even deeper, making sure to let him taste his own medicine.

The shareholders were yet again shocked by her words. So it was all a lie? Were they really cheating behind her back? Many couldn't help but be tempted to believe her side of the story.

Looking at the gossiping group, Rivana added, "All the rumors about me will be cleared by sunrise. And it's up to you whether you want to lose all your profits or just agree to my terms."

With that, she rose from her seat and walked past Viktor. Leonora smirked at her friend's victory. Showing a middle finger to Viktor, she quickly followed Rivana out.

Rivana heaved a sigh as soon as she was out of the suffocating room. Her body trembled slightly; it was the first time she had ever talked so arrogantly, and she leaned against the wall for support. It was a bit scary but also exhilaratingly fun, her heart filled with a sense of pride. 

———

While back in the meeting room.

"If you cheated on her, we will take you down, Viktor!" 

"Yes! And she has a more powerful husband now. It only makes sense for her to be the CEO." Another added, clearly ready to please Azrael, the young sensational business titan. 

"You know what you need to do Viktor," Isabelle warned, both sharing a knowing glance. Glaring at Liam, Isabelle stormed out of the room.

Darkness loomed over the staff as the shareholders left one by one furiously. Viktor sat in the CEO chair Rivana had boldly claimed earlier. Her betrayal fueled his fury, and he needed to cut her wings before they grew too large.

Taking out his phone, he walked over to the glass wall and dialed a number. "Do it," he ordered, his expression grim.

"Can we have a little fun with her?" he heard the other side ask with a snicker.

Viktor looked downstairs through the glinted glass, his eyes fixing on Rivana sending away Leonora. With a hum, he replied, "Just make sure she doesn't die."