Her loss

Mr. Williams lay in bed, his frail hands gripping the sheets as he blinked rapidly, struggling to focus. His vision was growing worse by the day, and the frustration in his voice was evident.

"I can't even see clearly anymore," he muttered, his voice weak. Then, with a sigh, he added, "The most painful part is not being able to see your beautiful face clearly, my love."

Maria, holding a glass of water and a handful of pills, smiled sweetly as she placed the medicine in his palm. "You would have been better by now if only you took your medication regularly," she said in a soft, almost scolding tone. As he swallowed the pills, she tucked him into bed, smoothing the blankets over him with practiced care.

Then, without another word, she stood up and adjusted his IV drip, making sure everything was in place before stepping out of the room.

As soon as she did, her eyes locked onto Anna, who stood across the hallway, watching her with unmistakable hatred. Anna's arms were crossed tightly over her chest, her jaw clenched as if restraining herself from speaking.

Maria smirked and strode toward her, her heels clicking against the polished floor. "What is the matter, princess?" she said mockingly. "Not used to seeing my face around?"

Anna's nails dug into her palms as she glared at Maria "He was better before you came around," she spat. "And if anything happens to him, I swear I will make you pay."

Maria chuckled, completely unfazed by the threat. "Such a fiery temper," she mused. "Just like your mother."

Anna's fists tightened, but she refused to give Maria the satisfaction of seeing her lash out. Instead, she turned on her heels and stormed off, leaving Maria standing there with a smug smile.

Maria watched her go, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Let's see if you can stop me, little princess," she murmured under her breath before walking away.

Anna stepped out of the house and into the sleek black car where Daniel was waiting, his fingers tapping against the steering wheel impatiently. Without a word, she slid into the passenger seat, shutting the door with a sigh. As Daniel pulled away from the estate, the tension in her chest only grew heavier.

Their destination was crucial—Mr. Richard and his wife, Maria's mother's relatives. Though they had retired from the company years ago, they still owned a significant portion of the shares. They were Anna's last hope, her trump card against Maria.

The drive was long, the silence between them filled with unspoken thoughts. Finally, after what felt like hours, they arrived at an elegant countryside estate. The house was large yet welcoming, surrounded by neatly trimmed hedges and a sprawling garden that hinted at the wealth and refinement of its owners.

As they stepped out of the car, the door opened, and an elderly man with sharp yet kind eyes stood at the entrance, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"Little angel," Mr. Richard greeted, using the childhood nickname he had given Anna years ago. His voice was soft, nostalgic. "Welcome. Come in."

Anna felt a lump in her throat at the warmth in his voice. She had always been fond of Mr. Richard and his wife—they had treated her like family since she was a child.

As she stepped inside, she started, "Sir, I came here to—"

Before she could finish, Mrs. Richard interrupted with a gentle laugh. "Wouldn't you take something first before we get down to business? It's been so long since we last saw you." She walked in with a tray of tea and snacks, placing it in front of Anna and Daniel.

Anna hesitated but eventually picked up a piece of pastry, realizing she hadn't eaten much all day. The moment she took a bite, Mrs. Richard reached for a file on the coffee table and slid it in front of her.

Confused, Anna set down her plate and opened the file, her eyes widening as she read through the contents.

It was a transfer of stocks. Their shares—one of the largest holdings in the company—were being transferred to her.

"What…? Why? I haven't even asked for this," Anna gasped, her voice filled with shock. She looked up at Mr. Richard, at a complete loss for words.

Mr. Richard chuckled, folding his hands over his lap. "I heard what's been happening in the company, Anna. I knew you would come eventually, so I prepared this in advance." He leaned forward, his expression growing serious. "These stocks originally belonged to your mother. And now, they belong to you."

Anna's heart pounded in her chest. She had come here hoping to gain their support, but she never expected them to hand her the power outright. With these shares, she now had a fighting chance against Maria.

Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away, determination replacing her initial shock.

Anna spent a few peaceful days at Mr. and Mrs. Richard's estate. The elderly couple had been nothing but supportive, and for the first time in a long while, she felt safe. But that sense of security shattered the moment her phone began ringing incessantly.

When she finally answered, her father's panicked voice came through, weak and desperate.

"Anna… can you come home right away?" His breathing was ragged, fear evident in his tone. "I saw Maria… she tried to poison me. Please, come before it's too late."

Before she could respond, the line went dead.

A cold chill ran down Anna's spine as she stared at the phone in horror.

"Dad?" she called out, hoping he would pick up again. But there was nothing.

Panic set in, and without thinking, she grabbed her keys and rushed toward the door. Just as she was about to get into her car, Daniel caught her arm, his expression serious.

"You're too shaken up to drive. I'll take you," he said firmly, steering her toward the passenger seat.

The journey home felt agonizingly long. Heavy traffic delayed them, stretching what should have been a few hours into an entire night. The closer they got, the worse Anna's anxiety became. Something was wrong—she could feel it in her bones.

By the time they finally arrived, the house was in chaos. A crowd had gathered outside, murmuring in hushed, uneasy tones. Some of the staff looked visibly distressed, and the air was thick with tension.

Anna barely took a moment to process the scene before pushing through the crowd, her heart hammering in her chest. She raced up the stairs, past the servants and Maria's children, until she reached her f

ather's room.

The moment she stepped inside, everything stopped.