Chapter 3

• An unsettling murmur came over the guests, and Fernando felt as if a spectre had taken possession of his body. His face paled, and his whole world came crashing down as the woman waiting to get married humiliated him in front of hundreds of people, leaving him standing at the altar and his pride shattered on the ground.
• "Son, I'm so sorry. I didn't imagine this would happen." Cristine, Fernando's mother, came to his rescue when she saw her son fall apart.
• "Mom, it's not your fault. I've lost everything. My grandfather won't let me be the CEO of the company.
• "Please calm down," his mother tried to comfort him, but he slipped out of her grip.
• At that moment, Christopher, Fernando's grandfather, got up from his seat and walked over to the Reynolds, looking at them with hatred.
• "We had an agreement, Reynolds, and your daughter has tarnished my family's name," the man snapped. His face was flushed with tension and his chest heaved.
• "It's not my fault, Christopher. My daughter just didn't show up, something happened. Let me call you." Ricardo pulled out his phone, but the tension increased.
• Christopher squeezed his chest, feeling a sharp pain. His face paled completely, and he turned to where his grandson was.
• "Grandpa, grandpa! What's the matter? Fernando cried out in anguish, running towards him, and taking him in his arms. The old man could barely articulate a word.
• "Help me, please!" A doctor! Call an ambulance – Fernando was consumed by the fear of losing his grandfather, but life was behaving unfairly towards him. His grandfather's eyes closed slowly.
• "Father! Cristine ran out. Fernando hugged his grandfather, and one of the assistants, who turned out to be a doctor, approached the old man.
• "Excuse me, please. I'm a doctor. Let me see," the doctor took Christopher's pulse, checked it out, but there was nothing more to be done. The grandfather had suffered a heart attack that ended his life in front of his grandson.
• "I'm so sorry. The doctor looked compassionately at Ferdinand and his mother, while the guests began to speculate among themselves.
• "NO! Please! Do something! Fernando shook his head, and his tears rolled down his cheeks heartbreakingly. His heart was broken into a thousand pieces, as was his mother's.
• The marriage culminated in the worst of outcomes; What was anticipated to be the most charming wedding in the city turned into a real torment. Ferdinand's bitter enemies did not miss an opportunity to mock him, further aggravating their suffering.
• "Mother, I promise I'll make Helen Reynolds pay. I swear by my grandfather's memory. His death will not be in vain, I swear!
• "Son, don't put it that way. That woman is not guilty. Please don't magnify things.
• "Observe, mother, the humiliation to which the Reynolds have subjected us, all for their ambition. But I assure you that they will settle accounts; They will shed the same tears that you and I are shedding here.
• Cristine hugged her son. Despite his words, she knew Ferdinand's true nature. Although he seemed an enigmatic and domineering man, deep down he was good. However, the grief of losing his grandfather and the humiliation of that afternoon brought about a complete change in him.
• A Few Months Later
• Ferdinand was reclining in his imposing armchair. Although he had not landed the position at his family's flagship company, he did lead the most relevant branch as CEO of the Donovan and Associates variant. However, this achievement did not give him the mastery he craved.
• "My love, since the wedding you have become more taciturn, more elusive with me." Virginia approached Fernando and stroked his cheek.
• "Virginia, I'm not in the mood right now, I've got a lot of work to do.
• "But you've been telling me that for four months. What's the matter? I know your grandfather's death affected you, but I'm here to support and comfort you.
• "Nothing, I've already told you. If you can't understand my situation, you'd better leave. Virginia's eyes widened in surprise, and she was about to start an argument when suddenly there was a knock on the door of the office.
• Fernando's secretary announced the arrival of someone who was long-awaited.
• "Virginia, could you leave the office for a moment?" I need to talk to Dorian alone.
• She nodded and walked away in disagreement. Dorian, a private investigator, was the person Fernando had hired to inquire about Helen. She wanted to find out his whereabouts, why he left him standing at the altar and where he was now.
• "Well, what's new for me?" Fernando asked.
• "My dear Fernando, the investigation was not so quick. As we suspected, Miss Helen changed her surname; he's no longer Reynolds, he's now calling himself Parker.
• "Parker?" For what purpose?
• "The intention is to change his identity and run away from his parents. Although he maintains constant contact with his mother, no one knows that he has moved to Villa Esperanza, a remote town from here.
• Fernando poured himself a glass of alcohol and was absorbed, staring blankly at nothingness. Ever since Helen fled, something inside him changed. He was no longer the imposing, proud man he had always been He felt dejected and defeated, ready to do the impossible to make her pay for his misery.
• "What are you doing there?" He asked sarcastically.
• "She works as a cashier in a supermarket. She is appreciated by her bosses.
• "Buy the supermarket," Fernando ordered.
• "What?" Sir, but...
• "Yes, buy it, put it in my name, or better yet, in Angel Campbell's name."
• "Who is he, sir?"
• "You don't care, Dorian. Just do what I ask.
• "I don't think they'll sell it, sir. It's a small place, with no future. It barely holds up for the people.
• "Give them a large sum, schedule the delivery for a week from now. I will receive it myself. Say no more. That's what I'm paying you for.
• Dorian left the office while Fernando enjoyed a glass of wine.
• he said to himself. The big moment had arrived.
• Dorian nodded. He knew that when his boss set his mind to something, no human power could overwhelm his resolve. Days later, he made an irresistible offer to the supermarket's owners. With the money obtained, they retired, quitting their jobs forever. They announced the news to employees, including Helen, who, saddened by the event, had no choice but to wait to meet her new boss.
• Ever since Helen ran away from her wedding, her life became simple. She worked twelve hours a day, lived on a shoestring, and never gave up hope of ever finding true love. But she never imagined that she would fall in love the day she met her new boss.