The Fiancial Queen's Rebirth Chronicles

chapter 4

Late at night in the office, I stared at the computer screen, line by line, cross-checking the data.

In just two short months, I'd uncovered at least eight instances of financial fraud within Simon Group.

"Lily, it's late. You should rest," Bella approached, handing me a cup of coffee.

Three years ago on Wall Street, we'd been colleagues. Now, she'd given me the chance to start afresh.

“Just one more report,” I said, taking the cup. “These discrepancies aren’t small.”

"Take your time." She patted my shoulder. "By the way—the state contract you handled years ago? They kept asking for you. Want to talk to them?"

I closed my laptop and smiled. "Absolutely."

As I left the building, I saw Alice's post on the internet: [Thank you, Director Ivan, for giving me this opportunity. I'll manage the company well.]

So my position had been reserved for her.

Very well. Let them wallow in their self-satisfaction.

The next day, I entered an exclusive club.

"Lily!" Adrian, a long-standing client I'd worked with before, greeted me warmly. "I've missed you terribly."

"You flatter me, Adrian," I replied, smiling as I took my seat.

"Ah, I hear Simon Group is eyeing Dennis Group for acquisition?" he lowered his voice. "This project would be perfect for you."

I stirred my coffee. "Which bank is handling it?"

"Floyd Bank," Adrian replied. "But there's a catch—we're all wary of touching it."

My eyes lit up. Floyd Bank—my former employer.

That evening, I dialled a number. "Grace, remember me?"

"Lily!" came the delighted voice on the other end. "You've finally decided to come back?"

"I've come across an interesting project I'd like to discuss with you."

After hanging up, I opened my laptop and typed in a string of numbers.

Simon Group's detailed financial statements appeared on the screen.

The latest debt ratio far exceeded the warning threshold. Should this acquisition falter, the entire group would plunge into crisis.

A faint smile touched my lips.

In the distant office tower, Simon Group's lights burned brightly. They must be swamped with preparations for this merger.

Another week passed.

"Ms, the documents are ready," my assistant placed a proposal before me. "The meeting with Floyd Bank is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon."

I flipped to the first page, where several bold characters caught my eye:

"Ashley Investment Company"

This was the firm I'd co-founded with several female entrepreneurs.

Just like us women who'd been knocked down by life, we grew stronger with each setback.

The door swung open as Bella walked in: "The board approved it. We're taking on the Simon Group project."

I closed the file: "They must think they've got this in the bag now."

"Are you really going to..."

"I've been waiting for this day for a very long time." I stood up, gazing out at the bustling city lights beyond the window. "This time, it's their turn to despair."

My phone buzzed.

A message from Simon: [Heard you're doing rather well out there? No surprise, with someone taking pity on you and taking you in.]

I didn't reply.

Another message: [Don't think landing a job makes you special. You'll never measure up to Alice.]

Another message popped up on my screen:

[Congrats to Alice on her promotion. Tonight we celebrate!]

Accompanying it were pictures of champagne and roses.

How splendid, they're still celebrating.

I opened the drawer and retrieved a document.

The cover boldly proclaimed: "Compilation of Evidence Regarding Simon Group's Financial Fraud".

Inside lay all the incriminating material gathered over the past two months.

I had abandoned my career for this man, only to be met with betrayal and humiliation.

This time, I would make them understand that what they destroyed was not merely a housewife, but the dignity of a professional woman.

The phone on the desk rang again.

A message from an old friend, now a parent in our school community: “Stanley’s grades are slipping. Alice’s tutoring isn’t cutting it.”

I set the phone aside and gazed at the distant neon lights.

Soon, you'll all realise that Lily, who once dominated the financial world, never truly vanished.