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CHAPTER 1 – The Broken Thompson Empire
"Dad, tell me this isn't true…"
The papers on the table said it all — red stamps, sealed documents, and one word that made her entire body go numb.
BANKRUPT.
Her father, Mr. Thompson, sat silently on the couch, his head buried in his hands.
He looked older — weaker — than she'd ever seen him before.
"Vierrah," he whispered, voice trembling, "I tried. God knows I tried to save the company."
Vierrah's heart pounded. "How did this happen? We were stable last year!"
Her father didn't answer. He couldn't. The years of stress and loans had finally caught up.
Their company — Thompson Holdings — once a name of prestige, now stood on the edge of collapse.
"I'll find a way, Dad," she said firmly, hiding the panic in her voice. "We'll figure something out."
But her father just shook his head. "There's no way out, anak. The debts... they're too deep. The investors backed out. The properties are under foreclosure."
"Then we'll sell what's left! The house, the cars—"
"Even if we sell everything," he cut in, "it won't be enough."
Silence filled the room.
The air felt heavy, suffocating.
Vierrah looked around their once-grand living room — now dim and empty.
The marble floors that used to shine were dull, the chandelier flickering weakly as if it, too, was about to give up.
Everything she'd known… was slipping away.
---
Later that night, she sat by her bedroom window, staring blankly at the city lights.
Her reflection in the glass looked unfamiliar — tired eyes, trembling lips, a woman barely holding herself together.
She whispered to herself, "This isn't how it's supposed to end."
Her phone buzzed.
A text from an unknown number appeared.
> "Miss Thompson, I heard about your company's situation.
I believe I can help."
— L.A.
Her brows furrowed.
L.A.?
She ignored it, thinking it was just another scammer.
But then, a few seconds later—
> "I'm serious. Tell your father I'm offering a full bailout. No strings attached."
No strings attached.
If only she knew how wrong those words were.
---
The next morning, she found her father pacing anxiously in his study.
"Vierrah," he said quickly the moment she entered, "someone just contacted me. A businessman named Lucas Alvarez."
Her chest tightened at the name. "He texted me too."
"He's offering to cover all our losses. Every last cent," her father said, almost in disbelief. "He wants to meet today."
"Why?" she asked suspiciously. "Why would someone like him help us out of nowhere?"
Her father hesitated. "He said he's admired my work for years. That it would be a shame to see Thompson Holdings vanish."
Admired?
Something about that word didn't sit right with her.
---
Two hours later, they were in a high-rise building at the heart of the city — Alvarez Enterprises.
The moment Vierrah stepped inside, she felt small.
Everything about the place screamed wealth — sleek glass walls, black marble floors, gold accents, and quiet efficiency.
People in suits bowed politely as they passed, whispering "Mr. Alvarez is waiting."
When they entered the private boardroom, Vierrah's breath caught.
He was there.
Lucas Alvarez.
Tall. Sharp suit. Broad shoulders.
Every movement he made carried authority — calm, slow, deliberate.
His presence alone dominated the entire room.
And when his eyes lifted to meet hers—
Her chest tightened.
Those eyes.
Cold, unreadable, but strangely… familiar.
He stood, extending his hand politely. "Mr. Thompson. Miss Thompson."
His voice was deep, steady, and unnervingly calm.
"Please, sit."
---
Throughout the meeting, Vierrah barely spoke.
She couldn't.
She watched Lucas explain the details of the financial rescue — clear, precise, powerful.
Every word that left his lips felt rehearsed, as if he had been preparing for this moment for a long time.
But it wasn't the business talk that made her uncomfortable.
It was the way he kept looking at her.
Not like a businessman.
Not like a stranger.
But like someone who already knew her — her movements, her voice, even her silence.
When her father excused himself to answer a call, the tension in the room shifted.
Lucas leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table.
"So," he said, his voice softer now, directed only at her, "how are you holding up, Miss Thompson?"
She blinked, startled. "I—uh... trying to stay strong, I guess."
He nodded slowly. "You always were."
Her brows furrowed. "Excuse me?"
Lucas smiled faintly, almost wistfully.
"Nothing," he said smoothly. "You just... remind me of someone I used to know."
Vierrah forced a polite smile. "That's... nice of you to say."
But her pulse quickened.
There was something in his tone — a familiarity she couldn't place.
He watched her for a moment longer before saying quietly,
"Don't worry, Vierrah. I'll make sure you're taken care of."
Her name on his tongue made her heart skip.
She didn't remember introducing herself by first name.
---
When her father returned, Lucas straightened, his face once again perfectly businesslike.
"As I was saying," he continued, "I'll cover your debts in full. I only need a few documents signed."
"That's... very generous of you, Mr. Alvarez," her father said, relief flooding his voice.
Lucas smiled faintly. "Generosity isn't my usual trait. Let's just say I have personal reasons for helping."
Vierrah's stomach knotted.
Personal reasons.
And when his gaze flicked to her again, she knew — whatever those reasons were, they had everything to do with her.
---
That night, back at home, Vierrah couldn't sleep.
Her mind kept replaying the way Lucas looked at her — calm, confident, but with something dark behind his eyes.
Who was he, really?
And why did it feel like he'd been waiting for her all along?
She sat up, rubbing her temples, when her phone buzzed again.
Same unknown number.
> "You looked beautiful today."
Her blood ran cold.
Her hands trembled as she typed back:
> "Who is this?"
The reply came instantly.
> "You'll find out soon enough, Mrs. Alvarez."
Her heart stopped.
She dropped her phone, staring at the screen as the words burned into her mind.
Mrs. Alvarez.
And somewhere, in a room filled with monitors and shadows,
Lucas Alvarez smiled — finally watching his obsession fall into place.
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End of Chapter 1 – The Broken Thompson Empire
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