The party went off without a hitch and was a huge success. All the guests and media were present to cover the celebration of the Ridge Group’s 30th anniversary, as the company currently stands at the pinnacle of the industry.
Guests from all walks of life were there to offer their congratulations with respect and admiration, making Rachel feel on top of the world.
She felt proud to accompany Brian as his “wife,” even though deep down she knew that title still belonged to Zia Storm. However, she was certain it wouldn’t be long before the title of Mrs. Ridge would be hers, and everyone in the capital would praise her.
As everyone was enjoying the party, a package delivery person, accompanied by a security guard, approached Brian.
“Mr. Ridge, there’s a wedding gift package from Zia Storm,” the courier said, handing Brian a large, thick envelope.
“Zia?” Brian tensed for a moment. He suddenly remembered leaving his wife behind after the incident in the warehouse. Has Zia left the warehouse and returned home safely? He wondered.
If it weren’t for Zia playing with the lives of the children and Rachel, Brian wouldn’t have punished her by bringing Rachel to the party as her replacement.
Brian’s heart softened seeing that Zia had still sent their wedding gift. He hoped Zia had reflected on her mistake and apologized, so he could take her on a vacation to make up for her absence from their wedding anniversary celebration.
Rachel’s eyes flashed sharply as she stared at the package delivered by the courier. Before Brian could open it, she tugged on his arm to divert his attention. “Brian, we haven’t greeted the Mayor and his wife yet. They’re coming.”
Brian saw the Mayor and his wife approaching them. His attention immediately shifted away from Zia’s package. He handed it to his secretary.
“Keep this safe for me.” He then smiled as the mayor and his wife stopped in front of him.
“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Ridge. It’s an honor to have been invited to your party. Your wife is very beautiful.”
Brian just smiled, while Rachel felt on top of the world to meet the mayor in person and be praised as Brian’s wife.
The party continued until the MC wished Brian and Rachel a happy wedding anniversary.
Rachel lifted her chin proudly and squeezed Brian’s arm. Then the MC asked them to come up to the podium to give a speech about the company’s founding celebration and their wedding anniversary.
As Brian was giving his speech, a guest suddenly shouted, pointing to the phone in his hand. “Everyone! Have you seen today’s news? Ridge Group’s major shareholder has triggered a $20 billion forced buyback of 50% of shares. Trading in Ridge Group has been suspended!
The room fell silent. Then it erupted in whispers. The guests immediately pulled out their phones to check the news about Ridge Group’s stock.
Brian’s face turned pale. His phone rang nonstop. Messages from the board of directors and his partners flooded in so rapidly that Brian couldn’t check them one by one. The Ridge Group's stock price on the ticker screen had already dropped 15% before trading was suspended.
The guests bombarded Brian with questions. “Mr. Ridge, what’s happening? Why are the major shareholders cashing out and selling their shares?!”
“Is there a problem at Ridge Group? We just invested! Why wasn’t there an announcement!”
Rachel gripped Brian’s arm anxiously, her smile cracking.
“Brian, what’s going on?” Brian’s face was deathly pale as he watched the company’s stock plummet.
He tried to calm and reassure the guests.
“Go ahead with the kids; rest in your hotel room until this issue is resolved,” Brian whispered to calm her.
Rachel nodded hesitantly. Her heart was gripped by anxiety at the thought of the Ridge Group collapsing as it did ten years ago.
Brian escorted Rachel and her children to their hotel room with the bodyguards, while he went back to calming the party guests.
Everyone was demanding an explanation from Brian about what had happened, and reporters were hounding him for a response.
Things were in complete chaos, and Brian’s phone kept ringing. A call from the board of directors asked him to hold an emergency meeting.
“Everyone, calm down. There must have been a miscommunication. We’ll hold a meeting to discuss this issue. Thank you.” Brian left with his bodyguards shielding him from the reporters who kept chasing after him.
The launch party ended badly, and a media storm hit the Ridge Group.
The board meeting was a complete mess; everyone was panicking and anxious about the company’s future.
The meeting didn’t go well until three in the morning. So Brian decided to adjourn the meeting until everyone had calmed down and resume it the next day.
After the board meeting ended, Brian went home, feeling completely drained.
He suddenly realized his house felt very empty. The kids were still with Rachel, and Zia… she didn’t greet him as she usually did.
“Honey, I’m home….”
He went to their room, but found it empty. All of Zia’s belongings had vanished from the room. Even their wedding photos and pictures of their little family had been taken down from the walls.
Brian furrowed his brow and called for the maid.
The maid came immediately, still half-asleep from being woken up so early.
“Did you clean out Zia’s things? Why are the items in the room missing?”
“No, sir. Mrs. Zia packed up all her belongings from the room herself.”
Brian stared at the maid. The furrow on his brow deepened.
“Then where is my wife?”
“Madam… she’s already left the house with her suitcase.”
