Chapter 3

I returned home and immediately started gathering all the company documents.

As I did, I couldn’t help but feel the irony. From Robert’s initial million-dollar investment to me fighting for every project, growing it to what it was today—only I knew the blood, sweat, and tears that went into building this company.

Now, to save a life, I had to sell it all off just like that.

The next day, I contacted several potential buyers through a broker. The process moved faster than expected—probably because the company was solid, with a clean record and stable revenue stream.

I finally negotiated an $18 million deal. It was less than I hoped for, but they could pay cash upfront.

I rushed back to the hospital to tell Carol the news.

“I found a buyer. We’ll sign the contract tomorrow. The process might take a few days, but the money will come through quickly.” I tried to keep my voice steady.

Carol looked at the closed ICU door, then at me. Tears silently fell. “Jake… I’m so sorry… you worked so hard to build this company…”

I cut her off. “It’s okay, Mom. Companies can be rebuilt. A life lost is gone forever. Let’s focus on getting Robert better first.”

She squeezed my hand, nodding gratefully.

The next afternoon, I met at a law firm to sign the letter of intent. The buyer’s representative, Mr. Harris, and their attorney, Ms. Rodriguez, were there. My friend Michael, also a lawyer, came to oversee things for me. The initial discussions went smoothly, and all documents seemed in order.

Just as we were about to sign, Ms. Rodriguez took a call. After listening, her expression shifted. She stepped aside to confer quietly with Mr. Harris, who immediately frowned.

Michael noticed too and leaned over. “Jake, something’s wrong.”

At that moment, Ms. Rodriguez approached.

“Mr. Dawson, I apologize, but we’ll need to pause this process. I just received a call and faxed document stating that the ownership of Titan Innovations was transferred three days ago. The current legal representative and sole shareholder is Brandon Chen.”

I froze when she finished speaking.

“As the sole shareholder and legal representative, there’s no way this transfer could have happened without my signature!”

Ms. Rodriguez showed me the fax on her phone. “The records we received indicate this. The transfer is listed as a gift from Vanessa Lin.”

Vanessa Lin?

I stared at the document. Sure enough, my name had been brazenly replaced with Brandon Chen's in the legal representative field. The shareholder information showed the same.

The conference room door burst open. Vanessa strode in wearing high heels, posture elegant, face cold with disdain.

"Well, well. Quite the party." She let out a mocking laugh as she approached the table. "I was wondering where those company documents went. Were you planning to sell *my* company behind my back?"

I wasn't angry—just frowned. "Do you realize what you're doing? This is Robert's life-saving money!"

Vanessa's voice turned shrill. "Jake Dawson, I seriously underestimated you. You used my parents for money, and now you're trying to sell the company out from under me? Good thing Brandon had the foresight to predict your desperation. I transferred ownership to him for safekeeping. At least he'll manage it properly—better than leaving it with someone who just wants to bleed my family dry!"

Brandon stood beside her, eyes glowing with triumph. He sighed dramatically. "Jake, I don't mean to lecture you. You and Vanessa are married—you should've talked this through. Trying to sell the company behind her back... that's pretty low, even for you."

Honestly, my patience for this nonsense had run out. Looking at this woman, so smug in her ignorance, I felt genuine disgust for the first time.

"Low? Using them?" I repeated, voice quiet and dangerous.

I stood abruptly, grabbed Vanessa's wrist, and headed for the door.

"What do you think you're doing?!"

"Let go!!!" Vanessa shrieked, struggling violently.

I shot back, "You don't believe me? Fine. We're going to the hospital—right now. You'll see for yourself in the ICU if Robert's faking this."