Celebration

The day of the wedding arrived, and the grand hall was filled with elegant decorations, soft golden lights, and the scent of fresh roses. The ceremony was nothing short of breathtaking, with Anna dressed in a stunning white gown that accentuated her natural beauty. Daniel, in a sharp black tuxedo, couldn't take his eyes off her as she walked down the aisle.

Their vows were heartfelt, their promises to each other filled with love and unwavering support. As the priest declared them husband and wife, the crowd erupted into cheers, and Daniel gently cupped Anna's face, sealing their marriage with a deep, passionate kiss.

Despite the joy surrounding the occasion, Anna couldn't ignore the presence of Lucy. She had arrived in a dazzling red gown, clearly designed to steal attention away from the bride. She strutted through the venue, basking in the side glances and whispers of the guests. But Anna refused to let her ruin the moment. Instead of reacting, she simply smiled and focused on Daniel, the only person that mattered to her.

After the reception, Anna and Daniel returned to their new home. Any other newlywed couple would have spent the night celebrating their union, lost in the bliss of their first night together. But for them, there was no time for such luxuries.

Anna sat on the couch, still in her wedding dress, reviewing documents spread across the table. Daniel, his jacket tossed aside, leaned over the papers, strategizing.

"We need to ensure every shareholder understands what's at stake," Anna murmured, tapping her pen against the table.

Daniel nodded. "We have enough people on our side, but Maria isn't going to go down without a fight. She'll manipulate and twist things to her advantage."

Anna exhaled sharply. "She already took so much from me. I won't let her win again."

Daniel reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "And she won't. Tomorrow, you'll show them exactly why you deserve to run that company."

Anna's eyes softened. "I'm glad I have you by my side."

Daniel smirked. "Always."

The next morning, the tension in the company's boardroom was thick. The long mahogany table was surrounded by the company's most powerful shareholders, each wearing carefully guarded expressions. At the head of the table sat Maria, poised with an air of confidence, a glass of water in front of her.

Anna and Daniel entered, their presence commanding attention. Anna's sharp white suit made her look every bit the businesswoman she was meant to be. Daniel walked beside her, his hand lightly resting on her back in silent support.

Maria leaned back in her chair, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh, look who decided to show up. Shouldn't you still be on your honeymoon, little princess?" she said mockingly.

Anna met her gaze head-on. "I have more important things to do—like taking back what belongs to me."

Maria chuckled. "That's cute. But let's not waste time. Shall we begin?"

The meeting proceeded, and soon, it was time for the vote. The tension in the room was palpable as one by one, the board members cast their votes. Maria's expression remained smug, as if she were certain of her victory. But as the votes were tallied, that confidence began to wane.

Anna sat tall, her heartbeat steady as the final results were announced.

"With a majority vote, the position of company president goes to… Anna Williams."

A hush fell over the room before a few of the shareholders began clapping in support.

Maria's face twisted in shock. "This—this is ridiculous! How?!" she snapped, standing up abruptly.

Anna leaned forward, her smile razor-sharp. "I told you, Maria. You don't belong here. This company was built by my parents, and I will make sure it's run by someone who actually cares about it."

Maria's hands trembled, but before she could retaliate, one of the senior board members spoke.

"The decision is final, Maria. You no longer have any power here."

Anna rose to her feet, her eyes never leaving Maria's. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a company to run."

Maria glared at her, but Anna had already she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"turned away, walking out of the boardroom with Daniel by her side. As they stepped out into the hallway, she let out a breath. "You did it," Daniel said, pride evident in his voice.

Anna met his gaze, a victorious glint in her eyes. "We did it."

After securing her position in the company, Anna and Daniel finally had a moment to breathe. The weight of the battle they had fought was lifted, and for the first time in a long while, Anna allowed herself to feel truly happy.

That evening, the company's board members surprised them with an all-expenses-paid vacation, a gift to celebrate both their victory and their wedding. Since they hadn't had time for a honeymoon, this was the perfect opportunity to unwind.

"You deserve it," one of the board members had said with a smile. "Go, enjoy yourselves."

Excited for their trip, Anna packed her bags eagerly. Daniel, though happy, seemed slightly distracted, but she brushed it off, assuming he was just exhausted from everything they had been through.

The long drive to their luxurious hotel in another state was peaceful. The sun had begun to set, casting a warm golden glow over the road. They chatted lightly, enjoying each other's company, but Daniel's phone kept ringing every few minutes.

Each time it did, he would glance at the screen, frown, and let it ring without answering.

Anna noticed, but she was too caught up in her joy to give it much thought. "Aren't you going to pick that up?" she asked at one point, raising an eyebrow.

"It's nothing important," Daniel said quickly, slipping the phone into his pocket. "I'll deal with it later."

Anna didn't push. They had just won a war against Maria—there was no need to ruin the moment with unnecessary suspicions.

When they finally arrived at the grand hotel, Daniel immediately stepped out of the car to return the mysterious call, leaving Anna alone in the room.

She didn't mind. The suite was breathtaking, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, a massive king-sized bed, and a private balcony. She twirled around happily, taking it all in.

"Everything okay?" she asked, tilting her head.

He hesitated before nodding. "Yeah. Just work stuff. Nothing to worry about."

To shake off any tension, Daniel suggested they go out and buy a few things they needed for their stay.

"I'll drive," he said, grabbing the keys.

Anna agreed without hesitation. She was too happy to think much about it. She linked her arm with his as they stepped out into the cool night air, ready to enjoy their time together.

The drive was smooth at first. The roads were quiet, the city lights twinkling in the distance. Anna leaned back against the seat, feeling content.

But then—

Out of nowhere, two black vans swerved into their path, blocking the road ahead.

Daniel cursed under his breath, slamming the brakes. The tires screeched, the car jerking to a sudden halt.

Anna's heart pounded. "Daniel… what's going on?"

He didn't answer. His entire posture had shifted, his grip on the steering wheel tightening as he scanned their surroundings.

Before she could ask again, the doors of the

black vans burst open, and several masked men stepped out.

Anna gasped, her blood running cold.