"Mr. Dupont," Victoria said softly, her voice smooth as velvet yet heavy with absolute authority. "Thirty minutes ago, your firm pledged forty percent of its liquid reserves to bail out Ashford Enterprises. You signed the agreement without knowing that Sterling Global had already seized all of the Ashford debt."

Julian’s eyes welled with tears of terror. "Madam President... please..."

"Because of your family's poor judgment and lack of character," Victoria continued, tapping the screen once, "Sterling Global has officially terminated all land leases and development contracts with Dupont Real Estate. Effective immediately, your credit lines are revoked, and your firm is in default."

"No! No!" Chloe screamed, clutching her head as her diamond bracelet clattered to the floor. "You can't do this! You're just a bitter ex-girlfriend abusing power!"

"I don't abuse power, Chloe," Victoria said quietly, looking down at her with cold indifference. "I simply enforce consequences."

Mark’s knees buckled. He dropped to the floor, crawling toward Victoria’s shoes with tears streaming down his trembling face, completely stripped of every ounce of pride he had possessed an hour ago.

"Victoria... Vic, please!" Mark sobbed, reaching out desperately to grab the hem of her gown, though Arthur instantly stepped between them with a stern gaze. "I was blind! I was stupid! I was seduced by money, but it was always you! I loved you in that little apartment, I swear it! Give me one more chance... please, Victoria!"

Victoria stopped and looked down at Mark. There was no hatred in her eyes—only a profound, absolute pity.

"You didn't leave me because I was poor, Mark," Victoria said, her words striking him like a dagger to the heart. "You left me because you were poor in spirit. You tested my worth by my clothes, while I tested your heart by your loyalty. You failed."

She turned her back on him completely. "Arthur, clean this room up. They are an eyesore."

Four heavy security guards stepped forward, dragging a sobbing Mark and a hysterical Chloe out through the grand entrance, while Julian Dupont collapsed onto a velvet couch, his family empire ruined in a single evening.

The elite crowd parted like the Red Sea as Victoria walked away from the wreckage. But she didn't walk toward the VIP high table. Instead, she stopped directly in front of Liam, who was watching the scene with calm, quiet dignity.

A soft, genuine warmth returned to Victoria’s face—the very same warmth she had shown in the quiet corner café.

"I apologize for the noise, Liam," Victoria said gently, offering him her hand. "Shall we enjoy the evening now?"

Liam smiled softly, taking her hand with steady respect. "I think the tea here won't match mine, Madam President, but I'd be honored."

"Call me Victoria," she whispered, leading him toward the main floor as the grand orchestra began to play, leaving the ghosts of her past firmly in the dust.