Tied by Law, Torn by Love

overshadowed any surprise she might have felt at finding him suddenly standing beside her. Her tired ey

n't used to indifference-not from anyone, least of all Elena. Her lack

't specifically looking for anyone. He was simply searching for an empty table. But just as he was

her face partially hidden behind fingers pressed against her temples. S

f Elvano's lips, tinged with somet

said softly, his fingers brushing Nata

t moved in sync with his, her hand sti

plied, absently tapping the back of her hand as if

surprise, discomfort, maybe even defiance. But instead, Elena didn't even flinch. Her face remained

e a coil within him, snapping sharp and fast. The absence

nfronting her like this," Elvano's thoughts seethed with frustration. He was so consumed by his irritation that he fail

s that she had taken it upon herself to call the client and reschedule the appointment without even consulting him-her superior. That blatant disregard for his authority had struck a

d lazily, her tone a sharp contra

eting. No, Elena's calm dismissal of his authority was what truly irked him. But Elena,

on. The client hadn't made a fuss, so what could possibly be the problem now? She could

voice was laced with mockery, the grin on his lips more

a replied, her words sharp as she stood up, her movements deliberate as she prepared to leave. The air between

tasha inquired, her curio

rry, I'll excuse myself," Elena replied, her tone p

on Elena as she departed, a mix of confu

ursed inwardly, his mind racing to co

er what he considered her mistake. Yet, she seemed unfazed, which only

o!" Natasha urged, tugging at Elvano'

ughts. He had no desire to dine, but he couldn't disappoint Natasha. Reluctantly, he

e her if she weren't the company's most valuable employee. But since Elena

na," Elvano swore to himse

*

elming problem she was facing, but the path ahead felt uncertain. The weight of responsibility seemed to settle on her shoulders like an

he rain-slicked streets of the city, her mind still reeling. Tonight, she knew, would stretch endlessly before her-a night that promised t

but none of them seemed clear enough to ease the growing knot in her stomach. Yet, as she stepped into the room, a semblance of peace settled over

rushing over the cold metal. She pressed the button on the panel, entering the password code she had memorized over the years. The f

she expected-a few gold bars and an expanding folder. Her hands trembled slightly as

knew the first step toward solving this financial crisis was to call the vendors and ask for

d given her earlier. Fortunately, most of the vendors agreed to wait until the i

wait and, more urgently, to the employees who depended on thei

rs flew across the keyboard, scanning through the financial documents with a practiced hand. E

rd of her father's financial plans. Her eyes skimmed over the n

d. Her gaze then moved to the notes on the financial plan, which revealed that

r. Her mind lingered on the workers-so many families relying on the comp

a while," she thought, but the word

throat. The project was nearly complete, and the final payment was due this week. The realization hit h

to cover the employees' salaries or severance pay. Her heart sank, and tears welled up in her eyes, no longer able to hold them back. Th

a were notorious for their sky-high costs, and even with health insurance, it only covered half of the expenses. The financial strain wa

ope, her gaze caught the growing file of land titles inherited from her late grandfather. The file was thick with legal

to sell the land titles of the house or the supermarket; those were too valuable, too deeply tied to her father's legacy. But the inherited land-passed down from

t gnawed at her sense of pride, but it was a step she had to take. She didn't hesitate. Clutching the land dee

ly had once had. Elena practically leaped out of the car, her face a mixture of urgency and exhaustion. She walked swiftly to the front door, her mind spinning

ere busy with household chores. Elena's sudden arrival caught them by surprise, an

little shaky, realizing that it mig

Elena quickly approached and gently held Elena's face. Her

alization," Elena's uncle added in a tone full of worry. His eyes co

ed with an awkward smile. The anxiety was visible in her eyes, even though she t

a inside, showing that despite their curr

nside, knowing that this conversation

had once been filled with her laughter. Now, she returned be

world and new world collided-formin

contin