Chairman Yang arrived and quietly opened the front door. His eyes immediately landed on Tom and Anna sitting together on the sofa. Tom was carefully cleaning the small cut on Anna's palm.
A satisfied smile spread across Chairman Yang's face as he watched them from a distance. He remained silent for a moment, listening to their conversation.
"Using my money," Chairman Yang interrupted casually after hearing Tom mention that he had bought the house in Forbes Park.
Startled, both Tom and Anna quickly stood up.
"What are you doing here?" Tom asked coldly.
Without answering immediately, Chairman Yang walked toward them, a folder tucked under his arm. He sat comfortably in a nearby chair before turning his attention to Anna.
"What do you think of this house, Anna?" he asked with a smile. "Isn't it perfect for the two of you?"
The smile on his face slowly faded into a serious expression.
Tom rolled his eyes and shook his head in annoyance.
"Living here is such a brilliant idea," Chairman Yang continued with a smirk. "Wouldn't this be the perfect place to start a family?" He glanced around the spacious room. "Look at it. It's the ideal home."
"What do you want?" Tom demanded, his voice filled with anger.
"Relax," Chairman Yang replied calmly. "I only wanted to show Anna how beautiful this place is." He turned to her and gave her a knowing wink. "What do you think, Anna?"
Anna met his gaze without hesitation.
"I'm not going to marry him," she said firmly.
Chairman Yang slowly raised one eyebrow.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his tone turning icy. "You know the consequences of refusing my demands, Anna." His eyes narrowed as he stared at her. "And you know how much I dislike hearing that answer."
Tom was stunned by Anna's words.
A part of him felt relieved—she had just refused to marry him—but another part of him was unexpectedly hurt. Deep down, he had always believed Anna would choose him no matter what happened.
He bit his lower lip and swallowed hard.
"Whoa, whoa." Tom stepped forward, glaring at his grandfather. "Are you blackmailing her?"
"I'm not," Chairman Yang replied firmly. "I'm simply telling her the truth."
"The truth?" Tom scoffed. "What truth?"
"Anna is the only way..."
"The only way for what?"
"...to save your ass."
Chairman Yang leaned back in his chair, completely unfazed.
"This house is listed among the company's assets."
"This is my property," Tom snapped. "I bought it two years ago with my own savings."
"Hmm... are you sure?" Chairman Yang asked calmly. "Because someone investigated the records and found that this property is registered under the company's assets."
He folded his hands.
"Do you know what happened at today's board meeting? You were supposed to be there, Tom. The company lost twenty percent of its stock value. The shareholders panicked. They believe there's corruption within the company."
"That's not my fault."
Tom dropped onto the sofa and ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head in frustration.
"You caused this. I have all the legal documents. This house belongs to me."
Chairman Yang chuckled.
"There's an investor interested in buying this property. I've already spoken with their representative. They seem very eager."
Tom's eyes widened.
"This house is not for sale. Are you out of your mind?" he shouted. "This is my home! I have legal ownership. It's private property."
"Whether you like it or not," Chairman Yang said coldly, "it's already on next Friday's auction list."
He locked eyes with Tom.
"And before you accuse me, this wasn't solely my decision. The shareholders voted for it."
A slow smile crept across his face.
"Of course... if Anna agrees to help you, we can transfer your assets to her instead."
Tom let out a bitter laugh.
"I knew it."
He stood and slowly shook his head.
"Tsk... tsk... tsk."
"Don't try to fool me, old man. This is one of your oldest tricks."
"It's your choice," Chairman Yang replied with a shrug.
Then he turned to Anna.
"What do you think?"
"Enough."
Tom's voice cut through the room.
"I've had enough."
He walked to the front door and pulled it open.
"Get out of my house."
His voice was calm, but his clenched jaw betrayed his anger.
"Leave now... or—"
"Or what?" Chairman Yang interrupted, rising from his chair. "You'll force me out of your house... or should I say, my house?"
He smiled without warmth.
"I'm giving you an opportunity, Tom. One chance in a million. I'm trying to help you."
Tom walked back until they were standing face-to-face.
"You're desperate," he said quietly. "Do you even realize that?"
Chairman Yang merely shrugged.
Without another word, he handed Tom the folder.
"These are the properties scheduled for auction next Friday."
"Take a look."
Tom flipped through the documents.
The color drained from his face.
His mother's café was on the list.
His apartment in Taft, Manila.
Even his three sports cars.
His hands tightened around the folder as disbelief slowly turned into fury.
"This isn't true!"
Tom's voice echoed through the living room. Furious and frustrated, he ripped the documents into pieces and threw them onto the floor.
"This is just another one of your schemes to force me into your plan!" he shouted. "I'm not marrying her!"
As he said those words, he glanced at Anna.
Chairman Yang rose from his chair, his posture straight and commanding.
"You think this is my idea?" he demanded. "And what exactly would I gain from it?"
His voice grew colder.
"This isn't about your wedding to Anna. It's about the company's assets that the shareholders want to recover."
He took a deep breath before continuing.
"I tried to stop them, Tom. I argued against it. But I can't overrule the shareholders. They own the majority of the company, and they voted to include your properties in the auction."
Silence filled the room.
Anna slowly sat down on the sofa. The cut on her palm throbbed painfully, and she instinctively curled her fingers. She shifted uneasily in her seat, unsure of what she should do.
Finally, Chairman Yang broke the silence.
"Here's the plan."
Both Tom and Anna looked at him.
"Anna will serve as your proxy at the shareholders' meeting."
He turned toward her.
"Can you do that?"
"They already know who Anna is."
Anna nodded without hesitation.
"Yes."
"Good."
Chairman Yang gave a satisfied nod.
"David will pick you up from school at noon on Friday and take you to the company. I'll reserve a seat for you in the function room."
He looked at Tom with a faint smile.
"You're welcome."
Tom simply shook his head in disbelief.
Anna lowered her gaze, the corners of her lips lifting into a faint, secret smile. When she glanced to her left, she found Tom already looking at her.
The moment their eyes met, her heart skipped a beat.
She quickly looked away, her cheeks warming with embarrassment. She couldn't bring herself to hold his gaze.
"I think it would be better if Anna stayed here tonight," Chairman Yang suggested casually.
"No!"
Tom and Anna answered at the same time.
They exchanged surprised glances before immediately looking away again.
Chairman Yang frowned.
"And what's wrong with that? You're engaged, and you're both adults."
"In your dreams," Tom muttered before turning and walking deeper into the house.
Anna grabbed her bag and hurried toward the front door.
"I'm going home, Chairman Yang. No matter what."
Chairman Yang watched her for a moment before a small smile appeared on his face.
"Very well."
He walked beside her toward the front door and personally escorted her home, leaving Tom alone in the silent house, surrounded by the torn papers scattered across the floor.
Heavy traffic had slowed the car to a crawl. The noise of horns and engines filled the road, trapping them in the middle of the city's midday chaos.
Chairman Yang broke the silence first.
"How are you, Anna?"
Anna turned to him briefly. Her lips, which had been slightly curved, straightened immediately. She looked away without answering at first.
"I know I hurt your feelings," he said more quietly. "I'm sorry."
Anna finally nodded.
"I never thought you would do that during their engagement meeting," she replied. "You hurt them. I heard Mildred is still ignoring his calls."
"I heard that," Chairman Yang said. "You know why I did it."
Anna's gaze remained fixed outside the window.
"But you know I'm not going to marry him."
Chairman Yang let out a small, almost amused smile.
"You two are very stubborn."
"Like you?" Anna shot back without hesitation.
A brief silence settled between them.
Then Chairman Yang sighed.
"Anna, please..."
She turned slightly toward him, waiting.
"I can help you through my grandfather's shares," she said firmly, "but not by marrying your grandson. I won't marry him no matter what happens. I have my own dreams."
She exhaled softly.
"Please… let them go."
Chairman Yang's expression tightened.
"You know I'm disappointed in you."
"I know," Anna replied. "But that won't change my decision."
He studied her for a moment before suddenly asking, almost casually, "What about Daniel?"
Anna blinked, surprised.
"Daniel?"
"I heard you two are close."
"Yes," she admitted, then quickly shook her head. "But not like that. He's just a friend."
Chairman Yang leaned back.
"Then choose, Anna. Tom or Daniel—who will you marry?"
"What?" she said sharply. "But—"
"I want your answer after the auction," he interrupted calmly.
"B-But—" Anna stammered again.
"Shh."
His tone softened slightly. "After the auction. There's no need to rush."
Anna fell silent, staring out the window as the city blurred past.
When they finally reached her subdivision, she stepped out of the car without a word and closed the door behind her.
"Good night, Anna," Chairman Yang called from inside, waving lightly.
Anna glanced back at him, rolled her eyes, and clicked her tongue before walking away.
A faint smile appeared on his face as he watched her leave.
"I know you'll choose him," he murmured to himself.
Days passed quickly.
It was Friday noon.
Anna stood outside the university gate, waiting.
A black car pulled up in front of her.
David had arrived.
A moment later, David arrived, and Anna quickly got into the car.
They had barely left the university when they got caught in heavy traffic along Makati Road. Cars stretched endlessly in every direction, engines idling under the midday heat.
Anna glanced at her wristwatch.
12:30 p.m.
Her chest tightened.
She might not make it to the auction on time.
Her gaze shifted toward the window, restless.
"Mr. David… I think we're going to be late," she said anxiously.
"I'll try my best, Anna," David replied. "There's a shortcut here."
He turned left at the next intersection, carefully navigating into a narrow alley.
At first, it seemed like it would save time. The car slowly made its way through the tight road until they were almost back on the main street.
Then suddenly—
Four men appeared ahead.
They wore bonnets and face masks, only their eyes visible.
David immediately stepped on the brakes.
He pressed the horn repeatedly, hoping they would move aside.
But the men didn't react. Instead, they kept walking forward.
David locked the doors.
"Don't be afraid, Ms. Anna," he said, though his voice betrayed his tension. Deep inside, panic was rising.
He swallowed hard and slowly tried to reverse the car—but it was too late.
The men raised their weapons.
Anna's eyes widened in terror.
"Anna, duck!" David shouted, immediately grabbing his phone and calling Chairman Yang.
On the other end, Chairman Yang's face turned pale the moment he heard the report. He quickly contacted the nearest police unit, his voice sharp and urgent.
Outside the car, the gunmen stood still, weapons aimed directly at them.
Two held pistols. The other two carried revolvers.
Then their leader stepped forward.
"Get out. Get out now," he ordered.
Anna and David stayed frozen inside.
A gunshot fired into the air.
The sound shattered the silence.
Anna screamed. David instinctively covered his head.
"Please, sir—don't shoot!" David pleaded, raising his hands. "Okay, okay… just don't hurt her."
"Out of the car!" the man shouted again, this time pointing the weapon directly at Anna.
Trembling, both of them slowly stepped out.
Their hands were raised, their bodies shaking.
"Please… don't shoot," Anna whispered through tears.
Without another word, the men forced them away from the vehicle, then quickly got inside.
Within seconds, they drove off at high speed, disappearing into the distance.
Silence fell.
"Are you okay, Anna?" David asked breathlessly.
Anna nodded weakly, still shaken.
A few minutes later, the police arrived. David immediately reported everything that had happened.
They were escorted to Chairman Yang's residence afterward.
Inside a private room, Chairman Yang spoke quietly with the officers. His expression was controlled, but his voice carried authority as he requested discretion. He wanted the incident kept confidential while a full investigation was launched.
He suspected something deeper.
Something connected to the company.
Later that evening, after dinner at Chairman Yang's house, David drove Anna home.
The night air was cold when she stepped out of the car.
She walked toward the gate.
Tom was already there, waiting.
His expression was dark.
"Are you happy now?" he said coldly.
Anna paused.
"What?"
"I thought you were going to help me," he replied with a bitter laugh. "I lost everything because of you, Anna."
Her voice dropped. "I'm sorry…"
She turned toward the gate, her hands trembling as she tried to unlock it.
But her fingers wouldn't stop shaking. The key kept slipping.
Before she could try again, Tom suddenly grabbed it from her hand and threw it to the side.
"Stop pretending you're hurt or concerned," he snapped. "I hate you, Anna."
He stepped closer and grabbed her collar.
"All your lies… I'm sick of them," he whispered harshly. "Go to hell."
Then he shoved her lightly against the gate and walked away.
Anna didn't defend herself.
She stood frozen as tears slowly slipped down her cheeks.
She wiped them away and walked toward where the key had fallen.
The street was dark.
Only the moonlight guided her steps.
She searched silently, her breath uneven, her chest tightening painfully as if something heavy was pressing inside her.
Finally, she gave up and sank onto the grass.
Her shoulders shook as she tried to hold back her sobs, covering her mouth so no one could hear her.
Time passed.
She didn't know how long she stayed there, sitting alone under the moonlight, until her breathing slowly steadied and her tears softened.
She looked up at the night sky.
"Why is this happening to me?" she whispered.
But there was no answer.
After a while—
A flashlight beam cut through the darkness.
"Ms. Anna?" a voice called.
She quickly covered her face.
"Oh—sorry," the guard said, lowering his light. "What are you doing here?"
Anna slowly recognized him—the subdivision guard on duty.
"I… I lost my key," she said weakly. "I can't get in. My phone is inside. I can't call anyone… everyone is already asleep."
"Let me help you," he said kindly.
Together, they searched the grass until the guard finally found the key.
Anna let out a shaky breath.
"Thank you…"
She entered the house quietly and went straight to her room, finally allowing herself to rest.