Chapter 48 Aliana demanded, her tone growing sharper. Andrian sighed, clearly tired of being accused. "Aliana, I've had more urgent issues to deal with, I'm handling everything at once. That painting just wasn't a priority for me." Alana refused to hear any excuses. She stood abruptly, her face cold with rage. "Not a priority? That painting belonged to Alicia-it's the only thing left of her that I have. You have no right to treat it like it doesn't matter." tit Andrian fell silent, stunned by the outburst. He knew the painting belonged to Alicia and that it meant something to Aliana, but he hadn't expected her to react so emotionally over it. Deep down, guilt began to creep in. "I'm sorry." Andrian said quietly, his eyes meeting hers, still full of anger. "I didn't mean to dismiss it." Aliana realized she had lost her composure. Slowly, her emotions began to settle, replaced by exhaustion. "I want to see the painting now. Where is it?" Andrian shook his head. "It's at home-in a secured room that only I can access. I can't leave the office right now, I have urgent work to finish. Aliana said nothing at first, her gaze turning sharp again-this time filled with disappointment. Andrian recognized that look. She was truly angry "I promise I'll show it to you when I return home tonight," Andrian said, trying to ease the tension. Knowing there was no use in pressing further, Aliana stood, her expression once again cold and composed. Ilwait for you at home. I want to inspect the painting myself" Without another word, she turned and briskly left the room Andrian clenched his fists on the desk, his teeth grinding as a wave of mixed emotions surged within him. "Damnit That woman always comes and goes as she pleases!" Meanwhile, elsewhere, at an upscale restaurant named Emerald Dining, not far from the Titan Group building, Bianca had begun executing her plan to persuade board members who had yet to side with Andrian. Inside one of the exclusive VIP rooms, Bianca sat gracefully, legs crossed, her eyes fixed on the man seated across from her. That man was Edward Lowell, one of Titan Group's senior board members-Infamously hard to persuade but wielding considerable influence over the rest of the board. Edward eyed Bianca with a scornful look, slowly stirring his coffee with a faint snort. "I didn't expect Andrian to send you to lobby us one by one. Has he really grown so desperate that he's sending a woman like you, Bianca?" Bianca offered a faint smile, unfazed by Edward's condescending tone. Tilting her head slightly, she remained composed and calm. "Don't misunderstand, Mr. Lowell," Bianca said quietly but sharply. "I'm not here under Andrian's orders. I'm simply here to share a perspective-that the project Andrian is working on could bring enorphous benefits. Not just for Titan Group, but for you personally." Edward raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical, "Personal gain, you say? I'm not interested in empty promises, Bianca. Besides, what would someone like you know about business? You're just a pretty accessory to Andrian. Don't get ahead of yourself" Bianca gave a faint, cold smile-just as she expected. Calmly, she took a brown envelope from her purse and placed it on the table in front of him. Edward eyed the envelope with suspicion, but Bianca got straight to the point #had hoped our meeting would be more refined, Mr. Lowell," she said, sliding the envelope toward him. "But clearly, you only respond to clearer language. Go ahead, open it." Edward opened the envelope swiftly. His eyes widened as he looked at the contents-photos of himself meeting with individuals from a rival company to Titan Group. His face turned bright red with rage, "What is this supposed to mean? Are you threatening me, Bianca Edward's voice rose. "You insolent woman! How dare you try to blackmail me like this?" Bianca remained completely composed, her voice icy "What you think of me is irrelevant, Mr. Lowell All I want is your vote to support Andrian's project. Edward let out a mocking laugh. Bianca cut in sharply. "Andrian doesn't know anything about this. I did it entirely on my own." Edward narrowed his eyes in disbelief "I'm not a fool. Don't try to play me with that story! Bianca held his gare, unshaken, "I don't care if you believe me. What matters is that I want your vote in the upcoming vote. If not, those photos will find their way into the hands of the shareholders. I'd be very interested to see their reaction once they learn you've been meeting with our competitors behind closed doors." Edward clenched his fists on the table, his face reddening further. But he knew he had no other option. After a moment of silence, he finally gaye a begrudging nod. "Fine," Edward said with hate in his voice. "You win this time, Bianca. I'll vote for Andrian. But I won't forget what you've done today." Without another word, Edward stood up roughly and stormed out of the room. The room fell into silence after his departure. Bianca leaned back in her chair with a satisfied smile, her gaze dotting to the window with a triumphant gleam in her eyes. In her mind, she began calculating the number of board members who had pledged support. There were 60 members on Titan Group's board. So far, Bianca had secured key votes-including the three she had previously pressured: Randall Kent, Linda Moore, and Peter Choi, Now, with Edward Lowell added to the list-slong with several other naturally loyal supporters of Andrian-she had secured 19 votes. Bianca smiled slyly. She needed just 2 more votes to reach 35% support a crucial minority. She was confident those remaining votes could be obtained by the end of the day. Her smile widened. Nothing could stop her from paving the way for Andrian. She would do anything to remain by his side. But Bianca's moment of victory was short-lived. Just as she was enjoying her small triumph, Derek approached with a hesitant expression, "Miss Bianca," Derek said cautiously, "there's something you should know." Bianca looked up, raising an eyebrow. "What is it?" Derek took a slow breath before replying. "I just received word-Miss Aliana has returned to Zenith. She arrived this moming And this alternoon... she's currently at the company, meeting Mr. Andrian directly" Bianca's blood seemed to freeze. Her gaze sharpened, and her hands clenched tightly. The joy she'd just felt evaporated, replaced by a surge of uncontainable anger. *Blanca muttered furiously, rising abruptly from her seat. "How dare she try to cross me. We're going back to the office. Now." A few minutes later... Upon arriving at Titan Group, Bianca strode swiftly toward Andrian's office. Nadia, noticing her approach, rushed to intercept her, visibly anxious "I'm sorry, Miss... Mr. Andrian is in a meeting." Nadia said politely but nervously, trying to stop Blanca from barging in. "He left word that he cannot be disturbed for the time being" Bianca furrowed her brow, glaring at Nadia. "Is it true that Aliana came here earlier today? What did she want with Andrian?" Nadia shook her head quickly, hesitant. "I don't know the details, Miss. What I can say is that Miss Allana showed up unexpectedly and went straight in to see Mr. Andrian. But she didn't stay long -just a few minutes." Blanca bt her lip, trying to suppress the storm of emotions rising within her. She was furious-especially knowing Aliana could walk in to see Andrian anytime, while she had to wait like this. Derek, standing behind Bianca, leaned in and whispered, "Miss, don't forget-you have two more meetings with board members. We don't have much time" Bianca let out a long breath, eyes still fixed on Andrian's closed office door. Finally, she took her phone from her bag and quickly typed a short message to Andrian Andrian, I know you're busy, but how about dinner together tonight? I'll wait for your reply. Blanca walted for several minutes, eyes glued to the screen. But there was no response. She sighed, a little disappointed, but tried to be understanding-Andrian was likely too focused on his mooting to reply. Turning to Derek with a resolute look, she said: "Let's go. Let's get this done quickly." Derek nodded without saying more, following, Blanca as she walked away, her heart burning with frustration and jealousy. Inside the elevator, Blanca made a silent vow she wouldn't give Aliana another chance to interfere with Andran. Tonight, she would make sure Andrian washers and hers alone. Freelance photographer Violet Beck is forced into an engagement with CEO Roy Payne. He is everything her wild heart rebels against: proper, predictable, and painfully kind. But love has a way of devel...