Chapter 16-Leave.

He had no intention of turning back now, having come all this way. Esme was their only choice left, and they needed her to accept this contract at any cost.

Esme's eyes remained fixed on Ray, her expression hardening. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, then rose from her seat with a deliberate slowness. Her movements were graceful but exuded an underlying strength.

"Calm mind?" Esme echoed, her voice dangerously soft. "You've come to the wrong place, Mister Ray. If you want to do contract signings or proposals, you should go to the Vallahe Group's new CEO, not me."

With that, Esme turned and walked towards the corner of her cell.

Her movements were deliberate, each step measured. She reached a small table where a glass and a large thermos of water were placed.

The soft sound of water pouring filled the room as she turned the tap on and filled the glass. She was about to bring it to her lips when Ray's voice interrupted her again.

"What I want is not the Vallahe Group's CEO, but the woman who stood it up on its feet again on her own," Ray said, slowly turning his wheelchair to face her.

The glass of water paused near Esme's lips. Her hand remained steady, but a flicker of something crossed her eyes.

Without turning around, she replied, "Maybe you've forgotten that I am also charged with impersonation, so there's a high possibility that I am not a Vallahe. Don't waste your time." She then took a slow, deliberate sip from the glass.

Ray, unfazed by her dismissal, clasped his hands together and spoke in a calm, measured tone.

"And maybe you have forgotten that the one I want is not Esme Vallahe but... the Esme who made the Vallahe Group rise from the ashes we created."

Esme's hand froze mid-sip. The water rippled slightly as she lowered the glass, her expression hidden from Ray.

She took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling with the motion. Turning slowly, she faced Ray, her eyes now cold and sharp.

Anyone else in Esme's position might have lost control upon hearing that their family's properties and inheritance had been destroyed by the person standing in front of them.

They might have lashed out in anger, possibly even resorting to physical violence or at least a scathing reprimand. But Esme remained eerily calm.

When she had first inherited the Vallahe Group, she had been perplexed by its sudden downfall. The Vallahe Group wasn't just any industry; it was a legacy, fortified by her grandmother to endure for generations.

Even if the company were to falter, her grandmother had made it strong enough to sustain three generations in opulence. Yet, despite this, the once-mighty conglomerate crumbled in a mere ten years.

This improbability nagged at Esme. Determined to uncover the truth, she delved into every detail of the company's demise.

It didn't take long for her to discover that the Vallahe Group had been systematically targeted by none other than the Aron Group. Her initial shock gave way to a burning resolve as she pieced together the puzzle.

The Vallahe Group was strong, but even the sturdiest palace is vulnerable if its gatekeeper is weak.

After the loss of her beloved husband, Madam Vallahe had been thrust into shock and despair. She became unable to manage the company effectively.

Meanwhile, the Aron Group's CEO and head, Madam Aron, was sharp and opportunistic. She seized this moment of weakness to try and completely erase the Vallahe Group from existence.

Esme's fingers tightened around the glass of water she held, the cool surface pressing against her skin as a reminder to stay composed.

She set the glass down gently, her movements measured and deliberate. The weight of her discovery still lingered in her mind, but she wouldn't let it break her.

Ray watched her, noting the flicker of emotion that passed through her eyes—anger, determination, and a hint of sadness.

But Esme's face remained a mask of calm indifference. She turned to face him fully, her posture straight and commanding.

"Your audacity is remarkable," she said, her voice steady and cold. "To come here, knowing what you did to my family, and expect me to help you rebuild what you destroyed."

Ray met her gaze, his expression unwavering. "It was business," he replied, though there was a hint of regret in his tone.

He paused, letting his words hang in the air before continuing, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But we both know just how much you love the Vallahe Group."

Esme's eyes narrowed slightly at his tone. For outsiders, it might have seemed like Esme Vallahe was tirelessly building the Vallahe Group all these years without asking for anything in return.

Yet, no one knew the truth: the one she was building wasn't the Vallahe Group. Behind the scenes, she was constructing her own empire.

The moment Esme had become the CEO of the Vallahe Group, she had taken swift, decisive action. Her first move was to assemble a team of elite professionals from across the country.

These were not just any professionals; they were the best in their fields. She divided them into two distinct teams.

Team A, her front line, was responsible for manipulating money and business operations, ensuring the Vallahe Group remained untouchable.

This team operated with Esme as the puppet master, ready to dismantle any foundation that threatened her control.

Their expertise allowed them to stay ahead of the competition, creating an impenetrable wall around the company's finances and operations.

Team B, on the other hand, consisted of highly skilled hackers. These were the unseen guardians of her empire. When someone dared to challenge Esme, they struck swiftly and silently, dismantling the opposition before Esme had to lift a finger.

Their prowess in the digital realm was unmatched, making them a formidable force against any threats.

Esme's fingers drummed lightly against the glass of water she held, the coolness of the liquid a stark contrast to the heat of her anger simmering beneath the surface.

She took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto Ray's with an intensity that made him pause.

"Mister Ray, you really know me well," Esme began, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She loosened her grip on the glass, letting it fall to the ground with a sharp crash, the sound echoing through the room.

Without flinching, she walked towards Ray, her steps slow and deliberate. She placed both hands firmly on the armrests of his wheelchair, leaning in so close that he could feel her breath on his face.

Her smile was cold and calculating, not reaching her eyes, which glittered with a dangerous intensity.

"But I also know a little about you guys," she continued, her voice low and menacing. She paused for a moment, letting the silence stretch out, relishing the tension in the air.

"Such as how all your fiancées died without a clear reason."

Ray's eyes widened ever so slightly, a flicker of fear crossing his face before he masked it with a stoic expression.

Esme's words hung in the air, a chilling reminder of the secrets she had uncovered.

"You think you're the only one who can play these games?" Esme asked, her tone icy.

"I've done my homework. I've traced every connection, every mysterious death, every suspicious transaction. I know more than you think."