Free Web NovelChapter 41: Chapter 41
Riley’s POV
I reach the company building and step out of the cab.
The driver pulls away immediately, and for a brief second, I just stand there in front of the glass entrance, staring up at the place I built with my own hands. Somehow, the call earlier still unsettles me. Caden’s voice. The warning. The way he said my name like he already knew what I was about to do.
But I don’t care.
I straighten my shoulders and walk inside.
The moment I cross the entrance, everything feels wrong.
Every single person turns to stare at me.
Conversations die instantly. Phones slip from hands. Coffee spills. Some people freeze like statues, while others actually step back like I’m not supposed to be standing there.
One woman gasps.
Another man whispers something and walks away fast as if her feet are burning her.
Someone actually runs.
I slow down, confused and irritated at the same time.
Why the hell are they looking at me like that?
I keep walking, my heels clicking against the floor, and the staring doesn’t stop. If anything, it gets worse. People keep glancing at me like they’re seeing a ghost, like I’m something that shouldn’t exist.
Just as I’m about to snap and demand answers, someone crashes straight into me.
"Ah—!"
I grab their arms instinctively to steady us both as I look down.
It’s Anna.
Her eyes are wide. Her face is pale. She clutches her chest like she’s about to faint.
"No," she breathes out shakily. "No, tell me you aren’t fucking real."
I blink. "I aren’t real how? Are you all alright?"
She staggers back, staring at me like she’s seeing something impossible.
"Wait," she whispers. "Riley... is that really you? Like it’s you? You?"
I frown. "Yes, Anna. It’s me, what the damn hell is going on?"
She stares at me for one more second, then suddenly lunges forward and wraps her arms around me tightly.
"Oh my God," she cries. "Thank God. Thank goodness. Oh my God, you’re really alive."
Her grip is tight, desperate.
I stiffen slightly. "Anna," I say, pulling back just enough to look at her face. "What is going on? Why is everyone acting like this?"
She doesn’t answer me. Instead, she grabs my wrist and yanks me forward.
"Come on," she says urgently.
"Anna—"
"No time," she insists, already dragging me toward the elevator.
People we pass freak out even more when they see me up close. Someone drops a file. Someone else swears loudly in fright. A woman presses herself against the wall like I might vanish if she looks too hard.
Oh my—what the actual hell is going on?
We reach the elevator.
There are people inside.
The moment they see me, their faces drain off color.
One man actually stumbles back.
"Oh my—"
Anna immediately steps in front of me. "It’s fine," she says quickly. "Everything is fine. Please, just get out."
They don’t argue. They rush out like the elevator itself is on fire as the doors close behind them.
The second they do, Anna turns around and hugs me again, tighter than before.
Now I’m really really unsettled.
"Okay," I say firmly, pushing her back slightly. "You need to tell me what’s going on right now."
She looks up at me, eyes shining with tears, and she exhales slowly.
"I’m really happy you’re alive, Riley," she says quietly.
The elevator starts moving upward.
"I know," I say, confused. "But why does everyone keep acting weird like I rose from the dead?"
She wipes her face quickly and takes a deep breath.
"You must be wondering why everyone’s acting scared and dramatic when they see you," she says.
I nod."Of course"
"That’s because," she continues slowly, "we all thought you were dead."
My stomach drops in shock.
"What?"
She nods. "Everyone saw the video."
"What video?" I ask sharply. "Anna, what are you talking about?"
Her face tightens.
"There was a video circulating," she says carefully. "It showed your body... severely crushed by a car. It was bad. Really bad, bad and disturbing Riley."
My throat tightens and I feel nauseous.
"That’s not possible," I say. "I’m right here."
"I know," she says quickly. "I know. But the video looked real. Terribly real and it was you."
I swallow hard. "Who put that out?"
She doesn’t hesitate."Ethan, your husband, the MD."
The word hits me like a punch.
"What?" I snap.
"Yes," she says. "He told everyone you were dead."
I feel like the air gets knocked out of me.
"He told everyone I was dead?" I repeat.
She nods. "He made an announcement. Sent messages. Released statements to the dam press."
My hands curl into fists.
"And that’s not even the worst part," she adds.
I look at her sharply. "What now?"
Her voice lowers. "Riley, you need to be fast."
The elevator continues rising.
"He’s in the boardroom right now," she says. "With the main board members."
My pulse quickens. "Doing what?"
"He’s changing everything," she says. "He’s rebranding. Removing your name from the company structure. Altering shares. Taking your authority off everything." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
I stare at her.
"He’s erasing me," I say slowly.
She nods. "Yes."
A cold calm settles over me.
So this is his plan.
Fake my death. Remove me completely. Take everything.
I laugh softly.
Anna looks at me worried. "Riley—"
"He really wants to play dirty," I say as the elevator dings.
The doors slide open on the seventh floor and I step out.
Anna follows closely behind me.
"He thinks I’m gone," I say calmly. "He thinks I can’t fight back."
I smile.
"Well," I add, "let’s play then."
We walk down the hallway toward the boardroom.
Every step feels heavy but focused.
My anger isn’t loud anymore. It’s sharp and cutting.
Reaching the door, I stop. I take a long breath.
Anna looks at me nervously. "Are you sure—"
I don’t answer. I push the fucking door open.
Let them meet the mad Riley Grayson, CEO today.
My insanity has reached its peak.
