By morning, the media was a frenzy.
Every major financial outlet in Valemir had the same headlines splashed across their front pages:
"Kip Mandari Named Interim Chairman of Jefferson Global""Elsa Jefferson Takes Leave Amidst Internal Shake-Up""Elaris Luxe Faces Suspension in Strategic Shift"
Cameras hovered outside the Jefferson Global tower. Journalists barked questions. Social media buzzed with theories—everything from burnout to board betrayal.
And inside the penthouse suite of the Celestia Grand Hotel—Chess and Elsa's temporary hideout—Elsa stood in front of a digital screen, arms crossed, watching Kip's smug face dominate the news cycle.
"He moves fast," Chess muttered, sipping black coffee.
Elsa didn't blink. "He moves loud. That's different."
Chess glanced at her sideways. "You're not angry?"
"I'm beyond angry," she said, turning slowly to face him. "I'm surgical."
Her voice was calm. Cold. Sharp.
Kip hadn't just pulled a power play.He'd challenged her legacy.And tried to erase Elaris Luxe—the soul she built from the ashes of her grandfather's empire.
Chess set his cup down and crossed his arms. "So what's the counterstrike?"
She turned to him, fire behind her eyes.
"I'm taking back everything he stole. But this time, I'm not walking into that boardroom alone."
Later That Day – Private Underground War Room, Aeris Holdings
The room was dim, lit by holographic projections floating over a massive round table. Maps. Names. Financial trails. Media influence channels.
Devon, Riley, and two top legal analysts stood around Elsa and Chess.
"Kip used an emergency clause buried in the legacy charter," Riley explained, pointing to a clause marked in red. "It allows for an acting chairman in the event of 'extended absence or incapacitation' of the standing CEO."
"He framed your seal chase as a breakdown," Devon added. "Told the board you were cracking under pressure, chasing myths. A couple of fake therapy receipts and forged doctor's notes were enough to sell it."
Elsa folded her arms. "That slimy little snake."
"We can challenge the vote legally," the lead analyst said, "but it'll take weeks. Maybe months."
Elsa shook her head. "I don't have months."
Chess leaned forward. "Then we strike from the other angle. Leverage."
He tapped a section of the projection: Kip's private offshore accounts.
Riley grinned. "Thought you'd never ask."
Nightfall – Kip's Private Estate, Valemir Heights
Kip Mandari was hosting a dinner party—elites, media faces, tech influencers, all sipping vintage wine while violinists played.
And then the power cut.
Not to the whole estate. Just to the main ballroom. Lights flickered. Screens shut off.
Silence.
Then a single spotlight clicked on—center stage.
Elsa Jefferson stood beneath it, dressed in crimson. Not the boardroom white. Not the battlefield black. But a striking, storm-blood red.
Kip froze mid-toast.
"Good evening," Elsa said, voice cool and clear. "I thought I'd join the party since someone forgot to send me an invite."
Some guests laughed awkwardly. Others pulled out phones. Kip's smile twitched.
"Elsa," he said smoothly, approaching her. "I didn't realize—"
"You forgot I'm still majority shareholder," she said, stepping toward him. "And I don't need your permission to walk into my house."
Murmurs spread across the room.
Kip gestured for calm. "Of course. You've always been welcome—"
"Then let me return the favor," she said sweetly, snapping her fingers.
Behind her, the screen lit up—revealing leaked documents. Financial trails. Off-the-book transactions. Manipulated board votes. A full exposé of Kip's behind-the-scenes sabotage.
Gasps. Shocked whispers.
Kip's face drained of color.
"You thought I wouldn't find it?" Elsa asked. "You thought while I was chasing the seal, I forgot how to read numbers?"
He turned to the crowd. "This is absurd. Fabricated—"
Chess stepped out of the shadows. "Then sue us."
More gasps. The name "Chess Golding" traveled like wildfire.
Kip looked between them. Cornered. Exposed.
Elsa stepped closer, her voice now razor-sharp.
"You played the game, Kip. But you forgot one thing—"
She leaned in, just enough for only him to hear.
"I was trained by wolves."
Two Days Later – Boardroom of Jefferson Global
Elsa sat at the head of the table.
No one questioned her now.
Kip's interim status had been revoked pending investigation. His access revoked. His shares frozen.
The board didn't even vote this time. They simply followed.
She clasped her hands and looked around. "Let's get back to business."
Later That Night – Celestia Grand Hotel, Balcony Suite
The city lights glowed below.
Elsa leaned against the railing, sipping wine. Chess joined her, arm brushing hers.
"You won," he said softly.
"No," she said, turning to him. "We did."
They stood there for a moment. Quiet. Calm.
"Thank you," she said after a beat. "For standing with me."
He smiled faintly. "I told you—I'm not running anymore."
Elsa turned toward him. "Good."
And then she kissed him—deep, sure, unguarded.
No more distractions. No more enemies. Just them. Together.
For now.