"Glad you realize that."

Lachlan looked at Luella, his eyes utterly devoid of any paternal warmth. “Luella, if we weather this storm, I'll consider finding a more prominent position for you within the Political Council."

"Understood."

Luella nodded respectfully, feigning absolute loyalty. "Leave the rest to me, Father. You have nothing to worry about."

"Mhm."

Lachlan nodded, well aware that this child coveted the Executive Chief seat. "Luella, right now, we're tied to the same sinking ship. Do you understand?"

If he crashed and burned, her ambitions would burn with him. She would never get another chance.

He firmly believed Luella wouldn't do anything stupid.

"I understand!"

Luella nodded obediently, flashing a hollow smile as she walked out of the study.

Once she was far enough down the hall, she pulled out her phone and contacted her people at Subterra Vanguard. Her voice was stripped of all emotion.

"The news isn't explosive enough. Burn it all to the ground."

At the Political Council.

The staff was in absolute chaos, scrambling to manage the fallout of Lachlan's massive scandal.

Luella called Burt Dalton into her office and handed him a comprehensive, highly detailed election dossier.

"Memorize every detail of this by tomorrow morning," Luella instructed. "I'm backing you for the leadership transition election next week."

"What?!"

Burt stared at the files in his hands, leaping to his feet in sheer terror as he gaped at the person across from him. “Mr. Langley, are you saying you want to make me the Executive Chief?"

"Is there a problem?" Luella's lips twitched, her expression deadly serious. "Lachlan Langley is never bouncing back from this, and Stellara Country needs someone at the helm."

"I've looked at all the options, and you're the best fit.”

"No."

Burt shoved the files back across the desk, shaking his head, his face pale. “Mr. Langley, I firmly believe you are the most qualified person for the Executive Chief position."

She possessed courage, strategic brilliance, and genuine compassion.

Having someone like her lead Stellara Country would be a blessing for its people.

"I have

absolutely no interest in the

Executive Chief seat." Luella leaned back, her tone flat. "Furthermore, once Lachlan is ousted, his immediate family members will be permanenty barred from the Political Council."

"The position will inevitably fall to someone else."

“And you know exactly which vultures are circling. You know them better than I do.”

"If they take the seat, do you honestly think you'll ever have a chance to realize your political ideals?"

"But..."

Listening to Luella's words, Burt fell into a deep, conflicted silence.

"Mr. Dalton, you don't have time to overthink this." Luella tapped her knuckles sharply against the desk, her tone authoritative Are your doing it or not? I need your answer. right now!"

Burt clenched his jaw, glancing toward the glass wall at the chaotic central office. He

could almost see the other opportunistic "candidates" already making their moves.

If he refused, the Executive Chief

position would absolutely fall into their greedy hands. His situation would become infinitely worse than it had been under Lachlan Forget realizing his political ideals-be wouldn't even know if he could keep his job at the Political Council.

No wonder Mr. Langley had handed him the massive transnational portfolios for

Australis and Borealia. He had been paving the way for him all along!

"But why...?" Burt swallowed hard, struggling to wrap his head around it. “Mr. Langley, if you fought for it, the seat would be yours."

"I told you, I don't care about the Executive Chief position. Besides..."

Luella turned her gaze toward the window, her eyes softening with unmistakable warmth. “There are things in this world that matter far more to me than power."

Juniper.

Jimmie.

Either of them was worth a thousand Executive Chief titles.

"Give me your answer!" Luella's voice shifted back to a commanding whip-crack. “If you decline, I need to restructure my entire plan!”

"I'll do it."

Burt lifted his chin, his voice ringing with absolute conviction. "If I become Executive Chief, I swear to walk the righteous path and fight for the people.”