The moment Mr. Ratcliff finished speaking, the security guards jumped into action, quickly closing in on the people holding banners. Chaos broke out in the crowd. Some tried to run, but the guards blocked every exit.


    Mr. Ratcliff leaned on his cane as he walked into ckOak and took the elevator straight up to the research department.


    Reese was waiting in the elevator lobby, her face tense. She''d noticed themotion downstairs right away, but she never imagined it would bring Mr. Ratcliff here in person. Even more unexpected was that he''d actually stepped in to clean up the mess for her.


    "Don''t worry," Mr. Ratcliff said as his bodyguards helped him out of the elevator. For once, there was a gentle smile on his face. That look instantly reminded Reese of the first time she''d met him-kind, warm, almost grandfatherly.


    But everything had changed since then. Who would''ve thought things would end up like this between them? The thought made her sigh at how unpredictable life could be.


    "I''ve already told the PR team to take care of the media circus," he said. "And I''ll find out who''s behind all this trouble. I''ll make sure your name is cleared."


    He put aforting hand on her shoulder, his voice calm and caring. "That includes the Ramos Corporation."


    "Dylon tanked Ramos Corporation and left a total mess behind. You want to rebuild it, but the people he left are going to fight you every step of the way. Let me handle them."


    Reese froze.


    Ramos Corporation had been everything to her grandfather and mother. She really did want to bring it back. But now there were predators everywhere, circling for a takeover. With all those saboteurs working against her and her ownck of experience running apany, she feltpletely overwhelmed.


    Mr. Ratcliff noticed how stiff she''d gone. He knew, better than anyone, that his family owed Reese a lot.


    She''d always been a good person. He''d never doubted that.


    He just wasn''t sure if any of thesete apologies and promises still meant anything to her.


    But he had to try.


    "I''ll help you get controlling shares in Ramos Corporation. I''ll send in people you can trust to help you run it, and I''ll get rid of everyone loyal to Dylon."


    Reese met his gaze, unsure what to say.


    "I know you''ve been hurt," Mr. Ratcliff said gently. "I''ve made a lot of mistakes. I just want to make things right. Won''t you let me try?"


    He hesitated, then added quietly, "By the way, I just got out of the hospital. My checkup isn''t done yet. If you''re free, would youe with me?"


    She looked at his face, still red from coughing, and suddenly saw how much older and more tired he looked than before. He reminded her of a withered leaf hanging on by a thread.


    She couldn''t bring herself to refuse him anymore. She simply nodded. "Okay."


    l.ne


    At that moment, Ratcliff Global''s official ount posted a long statement "Ms. Sofia Meyer has never been in a romantic rtionship with Mr. Ratcliff. Any public appearances together were purely for business. Mr. Ratcliff is married and there was never a third party or infidelity involved.


    "In addition, Ms. Sofia Meyer left


    Ratcliff Global because she


    deliberately tried to harm the Ratcliff family''s unborn heir and


    manipted Mr. Ratcliff''s son,


    Please stick to the facts and don''t


    spread or believe rumors."


    "If anyone continues to spread lies about Mr. Ratcliff''s private life, Ratcliff Global


    will take legal action."


    In less than ten minutes, thements section exploded.


    #SofiaMalicious and #SofiaManiptesChildren shot straight to the top of the trending list the same people who had been dragging Reese before now turned all their anger toward Sofia. The outrage was so intense, it almost jumped off the screen.