The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife
Chapter 61: No Turning Back

Chapter 61: No Turning Back

Cassidy stood in front of the mirror, eyeing her reflection with calm focus. Her khaki blazer and matching tailored trousers gave her a sharp, professional edge. The white blouse underneath, with its subtle ruffle detail, softened the look just enough to balance strength with grace.

Her hair was pulled back into a low, slightly tousled bun. A few loose strands framed her face, intentional and effortless. Nude lipstick. Light, barely noticeable jewelry. Simple white heels. She looked sharp. Controlled.

"Okay. You can do it, Cass," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else, a quiet pep talk to push down the nerves and keep her steady.

She didn’t smile, but there was something in her eyes. Determination. Clarity. She was ready for today. Ready to face Zeke, or whatever else came her way. Just a few days ago, the thought of this meeting had left her uneasy. Restless. But not today. Fear was a luxury she couldn’t afford. Not in front of that man.

She grabbed her white clutch, slipped on her sunglasses, and walked out of the room without looking back.

After dropping Claire off, Cassidy didn’t waste a second. She pressed the gas and headed straight to her next stop. Salvador Group.

No hesitation.

The glass doors slid open as she walked in. The sharp click of her heels echoed against the polished floors measured and steady.

She was here.

And she wasn’t backing down.

Cassidy walked up to the reception desk, removing her sunglasses in one smooth motion and holding them in one hand.

"I’m here for the shareholders’ meeting," she said calmly.

The young male receptionist blinked, clearly not expecting someone like her. He gave a quick nod and made a call. Moments later, a staff member appeared and was briefed about her arrival.

"Right this way, ma’am," the staff said politely, leading her to the elevators.

As the elevator doors slid shut, the female receptionist turned to her male coworker and whispered, "Who was that? Another shareholder?"

He shrugged. "Looks like it. She said she’s here for the meeting."

The woman sighed dramatically. "Ugh, when is it my turn to be rich and beautiful like that?"

The male receptionist replied with a teasing smile. "Keep praying. Maybe in your next life."

She rolled her eyes, then glanced back toward the elevator. "Be honest. Who’s prettier, Ms. Hill or that woman just now?"

He paused, thinking it over for a moment.

"They’re... different," he said finally, his tone a little softer. "Giana Hill’s bold and beautiful in a fearless way. She walks in like she owns the place. Confident, loud, and real hard to miss."

He paused. "But that woman? She’s beautiful too. Just colder. Like she doesn’t need to say anything to make you feel small. She doesn’t try to stand out... but you still can’t stop looking."

The female receptionist leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Honestly? I like Miss Giana more. She’s got that bold, boss-girl vibe. Total main character."

The male receptionist smirked. "Yeah? I prefer the other one. Quiet, cold... kind of mysterious. Way more interesting."

The meeting room was on the fourth floor. Spacious, with glass walls and steel accents, and a large U-shaped table at its center. Only a few shareholders had arrived, quietly settling into their seats and chatting in low tones.

When Cassidy stepped in, the room paused.

A few heads turned. Eyebrows lifted in mild confusion.

They didn’t recognize her.

Not surprising. She’d never shown her face at these meetings before. On paper, she was just a name tied to two percent ownership. Nothing more.

But this time, things were different.

This time, she wasn’t just a name in the background. She was here. In the room. And people noticed.

No one said a word, but their eyes lingered. Curious, cautious as if trying to figure out who she was. Still, something about the way she carried herself kept them silent.

Composed. Unbothered. Like she belonged there.

Like she owned the room.

Cassidy walked over to an empty seat near the wide glass window, set her clutch down, and sat without a word. She crossed her legs, calm and poised, her gaze steady as she waited for the meeting to begin.

***

Zeke sat on the leather sofa in his office lounge, posture composed, one leg crossed over the other. His mother, Margaret, sat quietly on his right, calm but alert. On his left, Bastiano Salvador leaned slightly forward, elbows on his knees, eyes sharp and locked on his grandson.

The room was quiet, but tension hung in the air.

After a moment, Bastiano finally spoke, his voice steady but edged with demand.

"What exactly are you trying to do with this right issue? What project are we supposedly funding? And why the hell wasn’t I told?"

Zeke didn’t flinch. He met his grandfather’s gaze, hands loosely clasped, his tone unreadable.

"We’re in the middle of developing a new drug," he said coolly.

"The cost of bringing just one product to market can hit three billion dollars. And it’s not quick, it takes ten to fifteen years, at minimum."

He glanced briefly at Margaret before turning back to Bastiano. "Only one in every five to ten thousand compounds ever becomes a viable drug. And we cover all the costs. Lab research, preclinical and clinical trials, small-scale production, and the price of every failure along the way."

"Even as the world’s biggest pharmaceutical company, we can’t afford to sit still," he added, his voice calm but charged with purpose. "The market is shifting. Innovation is moving faster. Global competition is getting tougher."

Bastiano’s jaw tightened, but he stayed quiet.

"We need capital, not just to stay ahead, but to push forward. I’m planning an acquisition. A foreign pharmaceutical company with strong regional networks and clinical infrastructure. This isn’t just growth. It’s a leap."

Zeke’s voice stayed level, driven by intention. There was no doubt. No pause.

"This right issue isn’t about survival. It’s about ambition. About how far we can go if we act now."

Margaret let out a slow breath. Her fingers tapped the armrest once, thoughtful but steady.

Bastiano didn’t speak right away. His lips pressed into a firm line, eyes cold and calculating.

When he finally spoke, his voice was low but firm. "And what if the new shares don’t sell? What if we take the loss?"

Zeke didn’t miss a beat. He leaned back slightly, still calm and confident. "They’ll sell. The market believes in us. We’ve held the title of the world’s leading pharma group for years."

His tone sharpened just enough to cut through the room. "There’s demand. The stock will be priced high, and investors will take the bait. Trust me."

He looked his grandfather straight in the eye.

"I don’t play games with what I’ve built."

Yes, he’d been thinking about this for a while. The right issue. The acquisition. The leap forward.

And Cassidy... she had only fueled him more.

No, he wasn’t mixing business with personal matters. He knew the difference. Always had.

But if this move let him kill two birds with one stone? Grow the company and see her again? Well, he’d take it. He wasn’t the type to let an opportunity slip by. At least, that had been the plan at first.

But after the whole scene at the mall? Now he wasn’t so sure. He’d let his emotions get the better of him and maybe that outburst had ruined everything.

***

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