Chapter 8 A month later , the Whitmore Group auction took place as scheduled . ] The auction hall was packed with investors , all hoping to grab a piece of the fallen business empire . ]] Eva and Cameron sat in the VIP section up front , quietly observing the bidding war . [ ] " Ladies and gentlemen , we're now auctioning 100 % equity in Whitmore Group . Starting bid : one point eight billion , " the auctioneer announced with the first strike of his gavel . ] ] " One point eight - five billion ! " [ ] " One point nine billion ! " [ ] " Two billion ! " The price climbed steadily , quickly breaking the two billion mark . ] a Eva noticed Dominic sitti a corner at the back , his face ashen . [ ] From business prodigy to defendant , from billionaire to drowning in debt - in just a few months , Dominic had experienced the ultimate rise and fall . [ ] Watching his business empire being oned off to strangers must have been eating him alive . " Two point two billion ! " ] " Two point three billion ! " ] " Two point four billion ! " ] As the price approached Cameron's target , Eva lightly tapped his arm . ] Getting the signal , Cameron raised his paddle . ] " Two point five billion ! " ] The room fell silent . ] ] Two and a half billion was beyond most people's expectations . [ ] " Do I hear any higher bids ? Two point five billion once ! " the auctioneer called out . Two point five billion twice ! " ] " Two point five billion three times ! Sold ! " [ ] With the final strike of the gavel , Whitmore Group officially changed hands . Seeing this , Dominic looked completely hollowed out , slumping in his chair . His business empire had just fallen into someone else's hands . And the buyer was his ex wife's new business partner . The irony was more brutal than any punishment could be . ] After the auction ended , Lya and Cameron walked out of the venue . " Congratulations , Mr. Rivers . As of today , you're the new owner of Whitmore Group , " Eva said with t " You mean congratulations to us , " Cameron corrected . " As of today , we're partners . " [ ] They were about to leave when a familiar voice called out behind them . ] " Eva , wait up . " It was Dominic . ] Eva turned to see Dominic stumbling after them a smile . [ ] Chapter 8 She hadn't seen him in months , and he looked even more haggard than before . ] ] His hair was graying , his face gaunt - completely stripped of his former charisma . ] " What do you want ? " Eva's tone was flat . " Why ... why are you doing this to me ? " Dominic's voice trembled . " Look , I know I screwed up , but isn't this a little harsh ? " ] " Harsh ? " Eva laughed coldly . " Dominic , you betrayed me for three years and moved three billion of our joint assets . Now you think I'm being harsh ? " " But you've already gotten everything you wanted . Why did you have to buy my company too ? Why rub salt in the wound ? " ] ] Eva looked at him , her eyes showing no emotion . [ ] " Dominic , you know what reaping what you sow ' means ? " " What happened to you today is entirely your own doing . If you'd just been honest from the start , lived your life with integrity , would we be here right now ? " [ ] " You chose betrayal . You chose deception . You chose greed . And now when it's time to face the consequences , you're calling other people harsh ? " Dominic was left speechless . ] ] She was right - everything had been his choice . ] " And another thing - I didn't buy your company for revenge , " Eva continued . " I did it to prove that without you , it can be even better . " ] ] " I want everyone to see that you , th That hit harder than any insult could . [ ] so - called business genius , are actually worthless . " [] For a man who valued his career over his life , having his competence questioned was more painful than having his character attacked . [ ] Dominic's face grew even more ashen , but he had no comeback . After all , the facts were right there - his business empire had collapsed . [ ] " Eva , can't we ... can't we start over ? " Dominic made one last desperate attempt . " I can change , I can make it right ... " " Start over ? " Eva acted like she'd heard the world's funniest joke . " Dominic , do you think I'm the kind of idiot who'd fall into the same trap twice ? " ]] " Besides , I'm doing great now . Why would I bring that drama back into my life ? " ] With that , Eva ignored Dominic completely and left with Cameron . Dominic stood there watching their retreating figures , his heart dead . [ ] He finally understood that there was no chance left between him and Eva . What he'd lost wasn't just a wife - it was his entire life . Over the following months , under Cameron and Eva's joint leadership , Whitmore Group was rapidly restructured . ] The company was renamed Rivers - Rain Group , combining parts of both Cameron's and Eva's names . ]] Eva took on the role of Executive Vice President , handling investments and strategic planning . With her accurate predictions of future trends and sharp investment instincts , Rivers -Rap Performance soared . In just six months , the company's market value doubled . ] The former Whitmore Group employees witnessed this miraculous transformation firsthand . [ ] Under Dominic's management , the company's performance had declined year after year , and employee morale was rock bottom . ] But under new leadership , the company had come back to life . [ ] Many employees commented : " We should've changed bosses years ago . " [ ] When this news reached Dominic , it made his suffering even worse [ ] Not only had his business empire been taken over by someone else - it was thriving under their control . [ ] ow was harder to bear than prison . [ ] wasn't doing much better either . [ ] ing to the court's judgment , she had to return everything she'd gotten from Dominic . ] nsion , jewelry , luxury cars - she couldn't keep any of it . [ ] end , she left with nothing and returned to her small hometown . [ ] was she was now working at a clothing store for three thousand a month , living a completely different life . [ ] ampered rich wife to ordinary working woman - the contrast nearly broke Scarlett . [ ] ried reaching out to Dominic , hoping to reconcile and weather the storm together . 0 minic had his own problems and couldn't be bothered with her . ] fter everything that happened , Dominic finally saw Scarlett's true colors . oman had approached him with ulterior motives from day one . [] ye , the feelings - all ' d ever about was his money and status . [ ] at he had nothing , Would Scarlett still love him ? swer was pou , this once - loving couple ultimately became strangers . [] Bus ew by , and before they knew it , year - end had arrived . ] River Rain Group threw their annual gala to celebrate the year's brilliant achievements . [] The venue was luxuriously decorated , filled with business elites . [ ] Eva wore an elegant red evening gown , gracefully mingling among the guests . [ ] success , but her entire presence had transformed completely . [ ] Over the past year , she'd not only achieved tremendous business the The naive woman from her past life who would sacrifice everything for love was gone forever . Now she was an independent , confident , decisive businesswoman . [ ] Hawthorne , this year's company performance has been absolutely incredible , " a business partner came over to toast her . " Under your and Mr. Rivers ' leadership , Rivers - Rain Group is definitely going to become the industry leader . " [ ] Thank you , it's the result of everyone's hard work , " Eva replied humbly . Ms Hawthorne , you're amazing . We're all curious - what's your next move ? " Eva thought for a moment , then smiled : " Next step , I want to expand internationally . fus answer drew admiring murmurs . ur story deserves to be heard around the world . " Indeed , under Eva's planning , Rivers Rain Group was no longer satisfied with the Dominicestic market and had begun reaching overseas . [ ] Halfway through the gala , Cameron took the stage to give a speech . Friends , this has been an extraordinary year for Rivers Rain Group . We've not only restructured the company , we've created a business miracle . " All of this success wouldn't have been possible without the outstanding contributions of our Executive Vice President , Ms. Eva Hawthorne . Let's give our warmest applause to thank Ms. Hawthorne for her dedication . " [ ] thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall . ] Eva gracefully stood and acknowledged the crowd . [ ] that moment , she truly felt the joy of success ] Chapter 8 This kind of success , earned through her own abilities , was more precious than anything else . [ ] Meanwhile , across the city , Dominic sat in a shabby rental apartment , looking through the window at the glittering lights in the distance . [ ] He knew Rivers - Rain Group was having their annual gala tonight . ] His former company , his former business empire , was now shining brightly in someone else's hands . And he could only sit here like an outsider , watching from afar . [ ] This was the price of betrayal , the consequence of greed . [ ] If he'd just treasured what he had from the beginning , been honest in his marriage , focused on building his business - would they be here today ? [ ] Too bad there are no " what - ifs " in life . ] ] At least , not for him . [ ] Life only moves for " d - v you can't start over . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!