It was another bright morning for the newly engaged couple. Today, Ronan had decided to work from home, determined to catch his playful fiancé.
No sooner had Ronan opened his eyes than Liora flashed a teasing, bunny-toothed grin and vanished in a bright flash of blue light, her mischievous laughter echoing through the halls.
"Liora Miller!!" Ronan shouted, strides carrying him down the corridor and into the living room.
A burst of blue light flared behind him. Ronan spun around to find Liora standing there, practically doubled over with laughter. Ronan lunged forward, but with another quick flash of blue light, Liora teleported right beside him.
"You brat!!" Ronan called out, tensing his muscles to predict her next move. Yet despite his caution, Liora continued to tease him, vanishing and reappearing in random spots around the room.
Deciding he had had enough, Ronan unleashed a wave of his red superpower, aiming it toward the far corner. With a surprised yelp, Liora materialized right where the red light landed.
"Hey! That's so unfair!!" Liora protested, pouting.
"Unfair? You think what you were doing to me was fair?" Ronan countered, closing the distance between them.
Before he could reach her, Liora scooped up a massive, heavy flower pot with one hand and casually launched it right at Ronan's head. Ronan's heart nearly stopped at the sight of his prized, expensive ceramic pot flying through the air.
Reacting on instinct, Ronan vanished into thin air to dodge the projectile. A split second before the pot could smash onto the hardwood floor, he re-emerged, extending his hand to catch it safely in mid-air using his telekinesis, suspending it by its hanging cord.
Ronan closed his eyes and let out a long, heavy breath to compose himself.
"If this had broken, you would have been dead meat today, you heavy little monster!" Ronan scolded, glaring at Liora, who was snickering without a shred of remorse.
"I knew you wouldn't let it break." Liora giggled knowingly.
Setting the vase down gently on the floor, Ronan made a sudden sprint toward her. Liora immediately turned on her heel and bolted.
Seeing that he wouldn't catch her, Ronan stopped dead in his tracks and crossed his arms over his chest. "Fine! If you don't stop running right now, you won't get what I was planning to give you today."
Liora skidded to a halt, glanced over her shoulder at Ronan, and came bounding back like an eager puppy.
"Okay, okay! I'm back. What were you going to give me?" Liora asked excitedly.
"This!"
Before Liora could react, Ronan dropped low, wrapped his arms around Liora's waist, and hoisted her up, flinging her straight over his shoulder.
"R-Rony! Put me down! You can't lie like that!!" Liora squealed, kicking her legs frantically and raining light punches onto Ronan's back.
"Keep quiet!" Ronan laughed, giving Liora's back a affectionate pat as he carried her down the hall.
Ronan walked straight into his home office, setting Liora back down onto her feet before stepping over to his desk.
"Sit down at your desk and open your laptop." Ronan instructed.
Liora narrowed her eyes suspiciously, studying Ronan's face for a moment before reluctantly following his command and powering on the device.
"Alright, I just sent you a link. You need to log in at exactly 9:50 AM." Ronan said calmly.
Liora stared at the screen, her eyebrows furrowing. "What is this, Rony?"
"An exam."
"A what?"
"The CREST Chief Executive Officer examination for this year. It starts at ten o'clock sharp."
Liora's breath hitched in her throat. She stared at Ronan as if she had just seen a ghost.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Ronan asked innocently.
"Are you out of your mind??!!" Liora shrieked.
Ronan's eyes widened at the sudden scream. "Why are you yelling like you're terrified?"
"Why am I yelling?! Oh my god!! The exam that could make my ultimate dream come true starts in fifteen minutes!! And me?! I'm sitting here in my pajamas without any preparation whatsoever!!" Liora yelled in a full-blown panic, scrambling out of her chair to dash out of the room.
Before she could make it through the doorway, Ronan materialized directly in front of her, blocking her path.
"Rony, let me go! I feel like I've forgotten everything! I need to review my notes!" Liora cried out, tears of frustration welling in her eyes. She was caught in a chaotic swirl of emotions, overjoyed that her lifelong dream was within reach, yet furious that Ronan had sprung it on her at the very last second. Seeing Ronan's calm, smiling face only fueled her irritation.
"Relax, my love. Why are you so panicked, hmm?" Ronan murmured softly, cupping Liora's face. "You were the brightest, most talented student in your university class, remember? Years of hard work are already locked inside your head. You haven't forgotten anything."
Hearing Ronan's steady, reassuring voice, Liora felt her frantic heart rate begin to settle.
"B-But how did this happen so fast? The international CREST exam isn't for months, and I was planning to take the national England version first..."
Ronan chuckled softly. "Consider this a special perk that came with your university excellence award. Professor Paul arranged it for me after I made a formal request. He knows about our situation. Actually, I was the one who asked for the slot. Do you remember that practice paper I gave you last week?"
Liora nodded slowly.
"That was last year's official CREST exam paper. I was completely blown away when you breezed through it without breaking a sweat. That was when I knew you were ready for the real thing today. I'm sorry for keeping it a surprise until the last minute, but I wanted to amaze you. You are brilliant, my love. Believe in yourself. You've got this."
Ronan leaned in and pressed a sweet, lingering kiss onto Liora's forehead.
"T-Thank you, Rony." Liora whispered, tears of happiness spilling over her lashes.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unsurprisingly, Liora passed the rigorous CEO examination with flying colors. To Ronan, her genius was never a surprise, both of Liora's biological parents had been extraordinary, visionary business leaders. That innate brilliant strategic mind was simply in her blood.
(While the conflict involving the Mo Kingdom remained paused, life moved forward rapidly for Ronan and Liora as they searched for answers regarding the ultimate power.)
Driven by the lingering threat of Darkan's next move, Ronan had agreed to Liora's early proposal, scheduling their grand wedding just two or three months away. He wanted to savor every second of peaceful life with his fiancé while he could.
Meanwhile, Darkan remained in hiding. During their last battle, he had briefly felt an immense, Main Power radiate from Ronan and Liora, a force powerful enough to drive him back. But before he could pinpoint its nature, the energy vanished without a trace. Cautious and intrigued, Darkan chose to monitor the couple from the shadows, waiting for another sign.
Now, let us turn to another monumental day in their lives, a day meant entirely for Liora.
"I-I'm so sorry, Rony... I really can't come." Liora stammered through the phone, her voice laced with hesitation.
On the other end, Ronan stared down at his desk, his expression falling into a sad pout.
Just the previous evening, Ronan had been honored with the award for England's Youngest Successful Businessman. In light of the achievement, his company had organized a massive press conference for today. The media, industry leaders, and fans were scheduled to gather to celebrate his success and hear his official statement.
However, the reason for Liora's reluctance to attend lay deep inside the main lobby of Vante Headquarters: the prominent memorial portrait of her late biological parents. Ever since discovering the truth about her heritage, Liora had only ever visited Ronan's private office using her teleportation powers, deliberately avoiding the main lobby. The thought of seeing that portrait in person was an emotional burden she didn't feel ready to face.
"The press conference is taking place outside the main entrance, baby." Ronan pleaded softly into the receiver. "Today is so important to me, love... Please, I just really need you there looking at me."
Hearing Ronan beg so earnestly, Liora found it impossible to refuse. She let out a quiet sigh and smiled. "Okay, Rony. I'll be there."
Ronan's heartbroken expression instantly transformed into pure joy.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ronan took an executive car to the headquarters ahead of time, leaving Liora to head over separately. Liora couldn't help but wonder why Ronan had insisted so forcefully that she wear a full formal suit for the occasion.
Arriving near the venue, Liora stepped out of the vehicle, adjusting her blazzer in a slight panic. Because of his overwhelming workload, Ronan was already inside the building handling last-minute preparations.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out. Mia, who was walking briskly toward the outer courtyard, stopped in her tracks, her lower lip caught between her teeth as her eyes landed on Liora.
"Oh, hey, Liora! Wow, it's been a while." Mia said, her tone dripping with subtle condescension. "I heard from a friend that you ended up graduating early."
Liora offered a polite, passive smile. "Ah, yeah. How have you been, Mia?" she asked, bowing her head slightly out of courtesy.
Mia let out a dramatic, exhausted sigh. "Ugh, I'm absolutely running on empty today. Ron just wouldn't let me get any sleep last night."
Liora's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh?"
"Oh, I guess I can share a little secret with you." Mia purred, leaning in slightly. "Ron and I are actually dating now."
Liora's mouth formed a silent 'O' of astonishment. Deciding to play along just to see how far she would push the lie, she suppressed a laugh. "Oh, wow... really?"
"Yeah, but honestly, it's exhausting." Mia continued, tossing her hair back. "He just can't keep his hands off me because of how stunning I am. He kept me up all night long."
"That's funny, considering he only likes me." Liora muttered under her breath.
"Did you say something?" Mia asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Uh, nope! Nothing at all." Liora replied smoothly. "So... how is he in bed?"
Mia smirked mockingly. "Why do you care? Curious, are we?"
"Just wondering." Liora said, maintaining a completely innocent expression.
Mia leaned closer to her ear, lowering her voice to a dramatic whisper. "If you really want to know... he has a total p*ssy kink."
Liora gasped loudly, slapping a hand over her mouth in theatrical shock. "Seriously?! Wow... I never would have imagined that!"
"A p*ssy kink? Haha." Liora thought to herself, a wicked smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Just wait until I get Mr. Brown home tonight. He's going to have a lot of explaining to do."
"Right?" Mia bragged. "And honestly, he's so rough. He always demands two or three rounds at least. But I love it."
"Is that so? Oh, he is so dead." Liora murmured, a fake, overly sweet smile spreading across her face.
Mia frowned, eyeing her strange expression suspiciously. "Why are you smiling like a creep?"
"Oh, no reason at all!" Liora said, biting her inner cheek to keep from bursting out laughing.
Mia swept her gaze over her crisp, tailored suit, letting out a dismissive laugh. "Anyway, why are you even here dressed like that? Did you come for a job interview? Did your tiny brain fail to realize that all interviews are canceled today because of the press conference?"
Liora mentally cursed Ronan for making her wear such a high-end suit. "N-No... actually, I just came to watch from the crowd as a fan."
"Right. A 'fan' wearing a tailored designer pantsuit." Mia scoffed, rolling her eyes as she strutted away.
"Mia!" Liora called out after her.
She turned around impatiently. "What?"
"Thanks for calming my nervous." Liora laughed.
Mia stared at her as if she had completely lost her mind before turning on her heel and marching off.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Making her way toward the front courtyard, Liora slotted herself into the enthusiastic crowd of fans who had gathered to support Ronan, holding up supportive banners and 'I Love You' banners.
Looking around at the huge turnout, Liora felt a swell of pride. "Rony really is so deeply loved." she thought fondly.
Just then, her phone vibrated in her pocket.
"Hello, Rony?"
"Where are you, Lio? Are you here yet?" Ronan's voice came through, sounding anxious.
"Yeah, I'm standing outside with your fan club."
"What? What are you doing out there?!" Ronan exclaimed. "Can't you just come inside through the back entrance?"
Liora bit her lower lip, hesitation creeping back into her voice. "R-Rony... I'd rather stay out here. I came to support you from the crowd."
Ronan let out a heavy, gentle sigh over the line. "Alright, love. The conference starts in five minutes. I love you. Stay safe out there."
"You too, Rony. Good luck!" Liora said softly before hanging up.
She deeply wanted to be by Ronan's side, but the grand building behind the stage remained a painful reminder of the tragedy her family had suffered.
Moments later, the entrance doors opened, and Ronan emerged onto the elevated outdoor platform, flanked by Mia, his management team, and security details. The press broke into a frenzy, camera flashes exploding continuously as Ronan walked toward the main podium with a sharp, professional smile.
The blinding flashes made it difficult for Ronan to scan the crowd for his fiancé, but from his spot in the center of the audience, Liora watched him with glowing, proud eyes.
The press conference proceeded smoothly. Reporters peppered Ronan with questions regarding his recent achievements, his business expansion, and his future aspirations.
As the session drew to a close, Ronan stepped up to the microphone once more, raising his hand to signal one final announcement.
"Actually... there is one more major reason I called this press conference today." Ronan declared, his deep voice echoing through the speakers. "Effective today, I am officially stepping down from this company."
A collective gasp echoed across the courtyard. Reporters froze, fans gasped in utter shock, and Liora's jaw dropped. Beside the podium, Mia and the executive managers stared at Ronan as if he had lost his mind.
"Mr. Brown, what do you mean by that?!" a reporter shouted, thrusting a microphone forward.
"As many of you may recall, this building and its foundational assets original belonged to The Heirs Corporation." Ronan explained calmly.
"Yes, we are aware of the history, Mr. Brown!" another reporter interjected. "The company fell into ruin when its CEO mysteriously vanished years ago. You were the one who rebuilt it from the ground up and brought it to global success!"
"That is true." Ronan acknowledged. "However... the late CEO of The Heirs, Mr. William Johnson, had a daughter."
Murmurs rippled through the press corps. "But Mr. Brown, public records and media reports confirmed that the child tragically passed away shortly after birth twenty-two years ago! What are you referring to?"
"CEO Mr. William Johnson's daughter did not die." Ronan announced, his voice ringing with absolute certainty. "She is alive. And she is standing among us today."
In the audience, Liora's heart began hammering violently against her ribs. Panic seized her, and her legs felt like lead. She turned to flee, but four guardians gently stepped into her path, blocking her exit.
"Please... let me through." Liora pleaded, her voice trembling.
Sophia, who had been quietly standing nearby in the crowd, stepped up and gently placed a hand on Liora's shoulder to steady her. "Liora, you have to face this eventually. It's time."
Up on stage, the reporters were in a frenzy. "The CEO's daughter is alive?! This sounds like something out of a drama!" one shouted skeptically.
"I am not here to detail the tragedy of her past." Ronan cut in firmly, his gaze turning razor-sharp. "What matters is that the true heir to The Heirs Corporation has returned. Therefore, I am resigning from my position today and handing the company over to its rightful owner."
Liora's knees buckled, but Sophia quickly caught her arm, keeping her upright.
"Then what will happen to you, Mr. Brown?!" a reporter pressed loudly. "Are you stepping away from the business world entirely? How can you make such a massive sacrifice? You bled for this company! Are you really just going to hand it all over to an heir who suddenly appeared out of nowhere?!"
Ronan's eyes flashed with rare, fiery anger as he fixed his gaze on the reporter. "She is not just 'someone who appeared out of nowhere'!" Ronan barked into the microphone, his voice dripping with intense protection. "She has suffered far more than anyone in this crowd could ever fathom, and she suffered through no fault of her own! She is far brilliant, far more capable, and far more qualified to lead this company than I ever was! And as for me... yes. I am prepared to sacrifice not just this company, but my very life for her without a second thought!"
The reporter swallowed hard, bowing his head in immediate apology. "I-I apologize, sir..."
Tears streamed silently down Liora's cheeks. Hearing the profound depth of Ronan's devotion, her heart swelled with an overwhelming mix of love and heartache.
"To clarify," Ronan continued, his tone softening as he addressed the crowd once more. "I am removing my name from this particular establishment, but I am not leaving the corporate world. I am relocating Vante Corporation to a brand-new headquarters. From this day forward, Vante and The Heirs will operate as two independent, allied powerhouses."
A wave of relief washed over Liora at those words.
"Mr. Brown! Who is the new Chief Executive Officer of The Heirs Corporation?!" a journalist called out.
Ronan smiled warmly, his eyes locking onto the tear-streaked face of his fiancé standing in the distance.
"Today, I strip the name Vante from this building and restore its original glory as The Heirs Headquarters," Ronan announced proudly into the microphone. "And now, I invite the true owner to take her rightful place..."
Ronan extended a hand toward the crowd, his smile radiant.
"Miss. Liora Johnson. Please come up to the stage, my love."